Nothing OS 4.0/4.1 Update Brings Android 16 Features And Wider Device Rollout

Nothing’s software platform has taken another step forward with the wider release of Nothing OS 4.0 and the early arrival of Nothing OS 4.1 on newer devices. The update marks the company’s fourth major iteration of its Android-based interface and reflects a steady effort to refine the minimalist design language that has defined the brand since its first smartphone launch.

Built on Android 16, Nothing OS 4.0 first reached users in stable form late last year. The rollout began with the Nothing Phone (3) and the earlier flagship Nothing Phone (2). Over the following months, the company expanded availability to the rest of its smartphone lineup, including several models in the Phone (a) series and devices released under the CMF sub-brand.

By March 2026, every eligible device had received the OS 4.0 update. The newer Nothing Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro arrived already running the newer Nothing OS 4.1 version.

Features And Improvements Introduced In Nothing OS 4

Nothing OS 4.0 focuses on refinement rather than dramatic redesign. The visual identity remains largely unchanged, maintaining the brand’s distinctive monochrome aesthetic and clean interface.

One noticeable addition is a deeper dark mode. The system now includes an “Extra dark” option that turns many system elements completely black rather than the grey tones used previously. This change affects menus, the notification panel, and several first-party applications.

Animations have also been adjusted. Opening apps and widgets now feels smoother, with transitions that are more fluid than in earlier versions of the software.

Another change is the updated icon styling across the status bar and home screen. The revision is subtle but intended to improve visual clarity.

The update also introduces greater flexibility in quick settings and widgets. Toggles can now be resized in different layouts, allowing users to reorganize the quick settings panel more freely.

Multitasking receives a practical addition as well. Nothing OS 4 introduces a dual pop-up view that allows two apps to open simultaneously in floating windows. The feature mirrors functionality that has long existed in other Android skins and addresses a commonly requested capability from Nothing users.

Other adjustments include improved haptic feedback across the system, a more capable search function in the app drawer, and a new App Optimisation section in settings designed to improve launch speed.

What Changes In Nothing OS 4.1

Nothing OS 4.1 builds on the earlier update rather than replacing it.

One of the most visible additions is expanded lockscreen customization. Users can now adjust clock size and alignment through a dedicated customization panel. A depth effect has also been introduced, allowing parts of the wallpaper to visually overlap the clock.

The update integrates Android 16’s Live Updates feature. This allows apps such as navigation services to display real-time information in a pill-shaped element on the status bar.

Nothing OS 4.1 also introduces an AI Eraser tool inside the gallery application. The feature scans images for unwanted objects and suggests removing them automatically.

Additional changes include new camera presets, subtle visual adjustments inside the settings interface, and the ability to generate custom Glyph ringtones for individual contacts.

Although the company has not provided a firm rollout timeline, Nothing OS 4.1 is expected to arrive on other supported devices after first appearing on the Phone (4a) series.

For now, Nothing’s latest software represents a gradual but noticeable step in the company’s effort to polish its Android experience while preserving the stripped-back style that has become its identity.

As the update reaches more devices over the coming months, users will likely judge it less by headline features and more by how quietly it improves everyday use.