Even though Samsung has just launched the Galaxy S23 series, the Korean company has not forgotten about its predecessors. A growing number of Samsung Galaxy devices are getting the February 2023 Android security update – here’s the full list.
Samsung February 2023 security update – here’s what’s new
Every single month, Google releases a generic or generalized Android security bulletin. This is publically available and indicates any software fixes for potential security issues that affect Android and core portions of the mobile operating system.
Patch notes are also provided by Samsung, as the updates for its own devices include a number of Galaxy-specific fixes. The Korean tech giant has now revealed the details of the February 2023 security update that is now slowly rolling out to a multitude of Galaxy devices. The February patch notes direct from Samsung list 5 “Critical” severity vulnerability fixes, 43 “High,” and no “Moderate” resolutions.
Resolutions within the OTA include fixes for WindowManagerService vulnerabilities. This can allow attackers to take a screenshot without user notice. This security update patches another issue that could allow hackers to access the Secure Folder and capture app previews without consent.
With the launch of the Galaxy S23, the new One UI 5.1 build is part and parcel of the package. If you have an older device, then you can grab the OTA with a number of tweaks and functions included. It’s a sizeable update at almost 2GB in size. Previously confirmed by Samsung, One UI 5.1 will be available for the following handsets over the coming weeks: Galaxy S20, S21, and Galaxy S22, as well as Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip 3, Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Table of contents
Devices with the Samsung February 2023 security update
The exact sequence in which Samsung updates phones seems to vary from month to month, but generally speaking, there’s a loose pattern that the company often follows. Typically, each month’s new security patch will arrive for premium devices like the Galaxy S flagships or Galaxy Z foldable hardware.
This is followed by a roll out of the patch affordable handsets, including the Galaxy A series, M series, and F series, although this depends heavily upon global markets and availability. Similarly, Samsung tends to release updates to newer devices before older ones. However, despite this often being the roadmap, this is a fairly loose guideline that doesn’t always hold true, so be sure to check the full list below for your own device(s).
This list will include a note on where the update first debuted and if it is also available in the United States. As usual, the latest additions will be marked in bold.
Signifying the best of the best when it comes to Samsung phones, the Galaxy S-series is often seen as the pinnacle of Android. The sales figures also back that up. Being at the top of the Samsung totem pole means that Galaxy S-series phones are likely to make up the bulk of the February 2023 security patch list in the opening weeks.
What’s interesting is that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G was the first such handset to get the February 2023 security update this month. Rolling out from February 7, the early-2022 handset is technically a cheaper version of the 2021 flagship Galaxy S21. It comes in a few flavors, as the Exynos 2100 variant is the first to be updated in selected regions including Brazil. It’s not clear when the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 version will be updated at this stage.
While 5G has been around for almost 5 years at this stage, not every single global region has access to superfast network connections through wireless carriers. In those cases, Samsung often offers 4G LTE-only handsets and separates the S series.
A great example is the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. This trio ordinarily ships with 5G as standard, but in some region, there are 4G-only options to purchase. Because of that, the rollout is often a little confusing as from February 9, both variants of the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra have started to receive the February 2023 patch in South America.
A massive rollout of One UI 5.1 is now underway for a number of Samsung Galaxy devices with the patch also bundling in the February 2023 security patch as standard. For many in Europe, One UI 5.1 is now available for Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 units after being spotted across Reddit.
Because of the differences between the Exynos global models and the North American Snapdragon equivalents, there was a minor delay in the rollout for unlocked US Galaxy S22 devices. It took nearly 24 hours for the February patch to hit North American shores but this update does include the full-fat One UI 5.1 upgrade.
- Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra 4G — G98xFXXSFGWAD (Released first in South America)
- Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra 5G — G98xBXXSFGWAD (Released first in South America)
- Galaxy S21 / S21 / S21 Ultra — G99xBXXU6EWAF (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy S21 FE — G990EXXS3DWAA (Released first in Brazil)
- Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra — S90xBXXU3CWAI / S908EXXU3CWAI (Released first in Europe)
- Available in US: Unlocked
Since the merger of the Galaxy S and Note series fully with the Galaxy S22, the best days of the Note are long behind us. In many ways, this streamlines Samsung’s flagship efforts but is still disappointing for long time fans. However, several Note handsets are still updated on a regular basis.
The very first Samsung phone to get the February 2023 security update is, in fact, the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. This patch began rolling out in Europe on February 6, with a wider rollout to US-unlocked models starting later that day. Often the Qualcomm-powered model is updated much later, so it’s a nice change of pace for the former flagship.
- Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra — N98xBXXS5GWB1 / N89xU1UES3GWA3 (Released first in Europe)
- Available in US: Unlocked
Although not explicitly confirmed as such, the Galaxy Fold and Flip series are undoubtedly the future of Samsung’s mobile efforts. We’ve seen foldable smartphones slowly become more and more mainstream since the debut of the Z Fold back in 2019. Since then, the Korean tech giant has improved almost all aspects of the hardware with the Z Fold 4 being an especially brilliant piece of tech.
With the One UI 5.1 update now confirmed by Samsung, those with the Z Flip 3, Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4 can now grab the February 2023 security patch so long as they are in Europe and have an unlocked handset. This patch comes with a number of new functions but mostly tweaks to improve your One UI experience.
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 — F711BXXU4EWB1 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 — F926BTBU3EWB1 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 — F936BXXU1CWAC (Released first in Europe)
The Galaxy A-series is one of the most popular new smartphone lineups that Samsung has introduced to market in recent years. Leveraging lots of S-series functions along with cheaper materials and lower entry-price has been a recipe for excellence. Throw in expansive update schedules and it’s not hard to see why cheaper devices have sold so well.
One of the best in recent years has been the Galaxy A52 5G, this mid-ranger is the first Samsung A-series handset to get the February 2023 security patch. Rolling out on February 8, this OTA update slowly becoming available in European regions.
The Galaxy A72 is a bigger, better, bolder alternative to the Galaxy A52. Although it was released at the same time, it is only now getting the latest update. Owners of the handset in India should now be able to grab the patch as of February 14. Sadly, this does not include the One UI 5.1 update that has been rolling out for several former flagship Galaxy phones over the past few days.
- Galaxy A52 5G — A526BXXS2DWAB (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy A72 — A725FXXS5CWB2 (Released first in India)
How to check for the latest OTA on your Galaxy device
If your Samsung device is slated to have been updated already, but the January patch hasn’t arrived for you personally, you can try updating manually. Simply open the Settings app, tap “Software update,” and choose “Download and install.”
This article was first published on February 7 and most recently updated on February 14.
Author: Damien Wilde
Source: 9TO5Google
