Samsung has initiated the deployment of the September 2023 security update for carrier-locked variants of the Galaxy S21 series in the United States. While the factory-unlocked models are yet to receive the update, the global versions have already started receiving the latest security patch in select countries.
The new update is exclusively available for the carrier-locked editions of the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. This update primarily focuses on bolstering security, addressing more than 60 vulnerabilities identified in previous software versions. Users, however, should not anticipate any additional features or performance enhancements with this update.
For users in the United States with carrier-locked Galaxy S21 series devices, checking for the new software update is a straightforward process. Simply navigate to the Settings menu, select Software update, and tap on Download and install. Alternatively, users can access the new firmware file from the firmware database and perform a manual installation.
To provide context, the Galaxy S21 series made its debut in early 2021 with Android 11 as the operating system. Subsequently, it received the Android 12 update in late 2021 and the Android 13 update in late 2022. Some regions have also witnessed the rollout of the One UI 6.0 beta update. Users can expect the stable Android 13 update to arrive in the coming months, further enhancing the Galaxy S21 series' capabilities and user experience.
As Samsung continues to prioritize security and software updates, users can stay assured of a more secure and reliable smartphone environment.