Nothing has released the Open Beta version of Nothing OS 4.0 for the Phone 3a series. Early adopters can now try Android 16-based features before the stable release.
Users can install the Beta via the Nothing Beta Hub after downloading the Beta package. The update is available only for those on the latest stable Asteroids-V3.2-251013-1406 build. The Beta enrollment closes on November 7.
Nothing OS 4.0 Beta: Redesigned Icons & Camera Updates
The Beta brings a new icon system that aligns with Nothing’s visual style. Icons now appear lighter and more uniform across the interface.
A new “Stretch” camera preset, created with photographer Jordan Hemingway, enhances shadows and extends highlights directly in the Camera app. This feature aims to give users more creative control over their photos.
Nothing OS 4.0 Beta: Lock Glimpse Wallpapers
Another highlight is Lock Glimpse, which rotates curated lock screen wallpapers across nine categories. Users can reveal contextual content, but the feature is disabled by default. It can be customised, including limiting access to left-swipe only.
A future update will allow users to replace all content with personal photos. All previous Beta changes from Nothing OS 4.0 are also included in this build.
Nothing OS 4.0 Beta: Warnings & System Apps
Being an early Beta, Nothing warns of potential instability, increased heat, and battery drain, especially during initial post-install indexing. The system-level Beta includes pre-installed apps from Nothing OS 4.0. Users can remove or disable select third-party apps, but core system apps remain fixed until the stable release.
Nothing OS 4.0 Beta: First-Time Third-Party App Bundle
Nothing is introducing a small bundle of popular third-party apps on select non-flagship models for the first time. The company says these apps are intentional, relevant, removable, and help support the sustainability of the product without locking users in.
How to Join the Beta and Rollback?
Users can enrol in the Beta via Settings > System > Nothing Beta Hub after installing the Beta APK. If auto-redirect fails, they can manually check for updates in System updates. Feedback can be submitted via the Feedback panel or Nothing community.
Rollback packages are available for the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro. Returning to Nothing OS 3.2 requires a factory reset, clearing all on-device data. Nothing strongly recommends backing up data before updating or rolling back.
Early Beta Focus on User Creativity
With features like Stretch camera presets and Lock Glimpse, Nothing OS 4.0 Beta prioritizes user creativity and personalisation. The addition of third-party apps also signals a shift toward a more flexible and user-friendly ecosystem, letting users customise their phones without being locked into default apps.
