Nothing has rolled out the first open beta of Nothing OS 4.0, giving its phone owners an early taste of Android 16. The London-based tech company confirmed today that the software is now available for the Nothing Phone (2) and the newer Nothing Phone (3). It’s part of the brand’s ongoing push to keep users close to the cutting edge of Android, letting them test features before they reach the stable public release. Still, as the company points out, this is beta software. It isn’t final and is mainly targeted at developers and more advanced users.
Key Takeaways
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Nothing OS 4.0 open beta is available for download
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Built on the first beta of Android 16
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Eligible for the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (3)
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Beta software may be unstable and include bugs
This early build lets users try out the core elements of Android 16. One of the bigger additions is more advanced AI-powered suggestions that surface directly in the notification shade, aiming to give context-specific information as you use your phone. Google has also added a new “Privacy Hub,” a section that pulls together a detailed history of app permissions and data access over time. Alongside that, Android 16 expands lock screen personalization, introducing fresh clock styles and even interactive widgets.
Nothing’s own additions are layered on top of these Android changes. The company has built in new dot-matrix style widgets for both the home screen and lock screen, staying consistent with its recognizable design language. The Glyph Interface on the back of the phones has also been updated, now allowing more precise notification patterns and custom controls. Despite these tweaks, Nothing OS 4.0 still holds on to that near-stock Android experience, something its community often says is one of the platform’s strengths.
For those who want to give the beta a try, the installation files and step-by-step instructions can be found on the official Nothing Community website. The process does require manually downloading the update package and following a guided procedure. Nothing strongly recommends backing up all data first, since the installation will wipe the phone entirely. And as with any beta software, users should be prepared for occasional bugs, potential performance hiccups, and even some apps not working properly. The company advises against installing the beta on a primary device you rely on day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Which Nothing phones can get the Android 16 beta?
A. The Nothing OS 4.0 open beta, based on Android 16, is currently available only for the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (3). Support for older models has not been announced.
Q. Is it safe to install the Nothing OS 4.0 beta?
A. This is beta software, which means it is not stable. It can have bugs that may affect your phone’s performance, battery life, and general usability. It is mainly for testing purposes, and caution is advised.
Q. Will I lose my data if I install the beta?
A. Yes, installing the open beta build requires a clean flash, which will erase all data on your phone, including photos, apps, and files. You must back up your data before you proceed.
Q. How can I go back to the stable version of Nothing OS?
A. Nothing usually provides a rollback package that allows users to return to the stable public version of the software. This process will also erase all data on the device.
Q. What are the main features of Android 16 in this beta?
A. This beta includes new AI features for notifications, a central Privacy Hub for better permission control, and more customization options for the lock screen.
