The Galaxy S21 is the second Samsung phone to receive the October 2022 security patch, after the Galaxy S22. Availability continues to expand to more Galaxy S21 units, and Samsung is now pushing the firmware for the unlocked variant stateside as well as in Germany.
The new update for the unlocked Galaxy S21 in the USA is identified by firmware version G99xU1UES5CVI8, whereas in Germany, the firmware carries the designation G99xBXXS5CVIF. The changelog is minimal, as the new update doesn't bring any new Android OS or One UI features. It merely improves security through the October 2022 security patch, but the security bulletin has yet to be updated. Nobody but Samsung knows what security issues have been addressed, but we'll keep you posted as soon as the changelog goes live. Whatever the case may be, it should improve the security level of the Galaxy S21 trio, so that's generally not a bad thing.
We suspect that Samsung will soon bring the new October 2022 security patch to more European countries besides Germany. And in case you missed the news, the firmware is already rolling out for the Galaxy S21 carrier variants in the USA.
To get the update — where available — open the Settings app on your Galaxy S21, access “Software update,” and tap “Download and install.” You can also find the new firmware on our website if you would rather download and install it manually on your phone using a PC.
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