The London-based company continues to refine its software offering with NothingOS 4.0a layer based on Android 16 which aims to give more meaning to the product ecosystem and its minimalist aesthetic. After months of internal testing, the update arrives with visual changes, new customization options, and a clear boost to connected features.
The launch starts smoothly in the NothingPhone (3) and will be gradually rolled out to the rest of Nothing and CMF's recent catalogs in the coming weeks. The company describes this version as more "refined, connected, and intelligent," and it's known within its community as "Flow" because of the focus on a smoother experience.
Key new features in Nothing OS 4.0
The system updates the interface with Updated custom icons, new lock screen clocks, and a clearer status barThe transitions have also been refined: taps, swipes, and gestures respond with a greater sense of depth, and a new element has been added. haptic vibration upon reaching the volume limit, maintaining the evolution initiated in NothingOS 3.0.
The Extra Dark ModeA deeper, more contrasted dark mode is being applied to notifications, quick settings, and the app drawer. Nothing confirms that this style will extend to native apps such as Essential Space and the Launcherwith the intention of bringing it to more apps in future versions.
Multitasking is also growing: with Pop-up View It's now possible to open two floating windows simultaneously and manage them with intuitive gestures (up to minimize, down to full screen). The idea is to keep your desktop clean without sacrificing speed.
They join more widget sizes To reinforce minimalist customization, 1x1 and 2x1 formats are available for elements such as Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time, facilitating a more useful and customized main panel.
For those seeking order, the system allows hide icons in the app drawer without losing access, which is maintained through search or quick gestures. Universal search filters are also refined to find settings or content in fewer steps.
Live Updates and the Glyph interface make sense
One of the great strengths of this version is the deep integration of live updates (live activities of Android 16) with the Glyph interface. The progress of journeys, deliveries, or timers is displayed in real time both on the screen as well as in the taillightswithout having to open the application.
Thanks to Android 16, Glyph Progress It no longer relies on one-off agreements and opens up to a much wider range of compatible apps. The result is a more seamless experience: your phone informs you "at a glance" without interrupting what you're doing.
Beyond aesthetics, the proposal seeks practical utility: routes, deliveries and timers They are unified in a visual signal and richer notifications, which reduces steps and allows you to respond or consult information on the fly.
AI applied: Essential Apps, Playground and the new Widget Drawer
Nothing takes its creative twist a step further with Nothing PlaygroundFrom the Widget Builder, the user describes in natural language what they want and the system generates a Essential App Ready to use, no coding required.
These creations are organized in the new Widget DrawerIt's a kind of library of widgets and utilities that centralizes everything added or generated. The goal is for the home screen to be truly "customized," not only in appearance but also in its tools.
To maintain control, the brand adds a AI usage dashboard and status bar notifications that indicate when generative processes are running. Alongside this, there are security and privacy improvements such as App Locker and Private Space, as well as management functions in Essential Space.
The experience is completed with adjustments to the Essential ecosystem (such as Essential Key, Essential Search and organizational utilities) and with refined animations that give the interface a more "tactile" and consistent feel.
Availability and compatible models in Spain and Europe
The stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0 has begun on the Phone (3) and will be expanded gradually to other devices in the coming weeks. Spain and the EU The update will arrive via OTA in phases, as usual, to ensure a controlled process.
Among the models with the most chances are the Phone (3) family (Phone 3, 3a and 3a Pro), the NothingPhone (2)’s most emblematic landmarks, the Telephone (2a) and the Phone (2a) Plus, Plus CMF Phone 1 y CMF Phone 2 ProThis roadmap is based on the list of devices that participated in the betas and on the brand's official communication.
There are nuances to consider: the Nothing Phone (1) is left out The jump to Android 16 is due to the completion of its major update cycle. Similarly, certain models will receive their last major software version with OS 4.0, while newer models will continue to receive future Android iterations.
Meanwhile, the community refers to this release as "Flow," with the slogan "let your phone bring fluidity to your life." Beyond the slogan, the update reinforces the system's personality without disrupting its aesthetic.
Nothing's proposal is based on Android 16 To offer a more agile system, with Live Updates integrated into Glyph, a truly deep dark mode, and AI tools for creating small utilities on the fly. The phased rollout in Europe should complete the picture over the next few weeks, starting with the Phone (3) and continuing with the rest of the recent lineup.
