Updates
Samsung mistakenly released Russian s/w update in UK, apologized later
Recently, Samsung has mistakenly released a new software update to the Galaxy consumers in the US, which installs some applications guided by the Russian government. The company has swiftly apologized for it and said that this was just a notification error, while there’s no Russian app installed on the phone.
Per the BBC report, a UK citizen namely Andrew Edmans bought a second-hand Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone from Amazon, three weeks ago, and then received a firmware update reminder. Just after seeing the changelog of the latest software update, he noticed the words in the update content:
“As part of the implementation of the requirements of Decree No. 1867 of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 18, 2020, the download of mandatory applications has been added. Some of these applications are only available in It can only be installed when the device is reset to factory settings.”
Dear @SamsungUK, again no one is responding to my emails, tweets or DMs as to why a Russian Federation update with govt links has been installed on my Samsung UK phone. @PrivacyMatters @ICOnews pic.twitter.com/Jkfoc1k2oU
— Andy Edmans (@AndyEdmans) October 7, 2021
Following this, Edmans reached out to Samsung and the company representatives promised to reply within 48 hours, but he did not receive a reply afterward. Therefore, Edmans again contacted the consumer support of Samsung four days later.
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Finally, a technician remotely accessed his mobile phone and stated that he had never seen it before. After that, the problem was reported to Samsung headquarters, and Edmans was eventually told that this was a “notification error.”
Here’s what Samsung said to BBC:
“We can confirm that due to a technical error, the wording of the information is incorrect and a limited number of UK customers will receive it. The upgrade received is unique to the UK, and no third-party apps from Russia have been installed on On the device, or have the opportunity to enter the device itself, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
It’s noteworthy that Russia passed a law in April this year, requiring that smartphones, computers, and smart TVs sold in the country be installed with Russian alternative software for normal software.
The purpose is to help Russian software companies promote their software. Since then, Samsung has added these applications to its smartphones in Russia through firmware updates.
October 2024 started with the SDC24 event, where Samsung shared important updates about its software and products. One of the big announcements was the upcoming One UI 7 Beta update for developers, which will be released at the end of this year. While this is a change from last year, some users get disappointed by the timeline. However, Samsung never forgets to release its monthly update on time.
On the 5th day of this month, Samsung began releasing the October 2024 security patch for Galaxy devices to enhance security and stability. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, launched in late September 2024, is the first smartphone to receive the October 2024 security update. Several more Galaxy devices will get this update in the coming days.
October 2024 security update fixes several vulnerabilities and boosts the overall security of the devices. Samsung will soon release the details and updated devices list on the scope page.
Below you can check a list of Galaxy devices that have received the October 2024 security update.
Image: Samsung
Samsung One UI October 2024 Updates List
11/09
- Samsung brings October 2024 security update to Galaxy A55 5G
10/09
- Samsung Galaxy A13 secures October 2024 update ahead of many flagships
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5 receiving October 2024 security update
- Samsung rolls out October 2024 update to Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6
09/09
- Samsung Galaxy S24 grabs ‘crucial’ October 2024 update in the US
05/09
- Samsung drops October 2024 security update, Galaxy S24 FE takes the lead.
*More devices will be added to this list as Samsung releases the update for them.
If you have a Samsung device from the list above and haven’t updated it yet, go ahead and do it now. If your device isn’t on the list, you can manually check for updates by going to Settings >> Software Update >> Download and Install. You can share software updates screenshots and details by tagging our social media accounts.
Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra users are getting an October 2024 security update in Canada. This update improves system security and stability to enhance the overall performance.
Users of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in Canada can verify the October 2024 security update via the One UI builds given below.
- S921WVLS3AXI1 – Galaxy S24
- S926WVLS3AXI1 – Galaxy S24 Plus
- S928WVLS3AXI1 – Galaxy S24 Ultra
The latest security patch includes critical updates from both Google and Samsung. Notably, Google’s patch resolves 2 critical vulnerabilities and 28 high-level issues, although one was previously addressed, and two do not apply to Galaxy devices.
On the other side, 12 Samsung vulnerabilities have been fixed which are related to system services and Knox to ensure a more secure user experience. Additionally, Samsung Semiconductor has also added a fix to boost performance.
The installation package size of this update is around 440MB. If you have received the notification of the update then install it now to get a bug-free experience. Also, you can check the update manually.
To manually check for updates, users can navigate to their phone’s Settings, scroll to the Software Update section, and select the “Download and Install” option if a new OTA is available
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Google App is updating its bottom navigation bar by bringing back a more modern design called Material 3. This change introduces a new pill-shaped indicator that shows which tab you’re using.
The revamped bottom navigation bar arrives with the latest beta version 15.40 of the Google App, thanks to 9to5Google. With the fresh design, Google aims to make it easier for users to navigate.
Instead of just highlighting the tab icon you’re on, the new design surrounds the icon with a pill shape to make it clearer and more appealing. Google app initially introduced this design in 2023 but later decided to revert to its previous look. Now, after some changes, the app has once again been back with the updated look.
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Aside from the testing new design, the company is also looking into a new verification feature for its Search function. This feature would give verified businesses a blue checkmark, similar to what you see in Gmail to help users easily identify trustworthy sources online.
Not everyone has access to Google App’s latest beta update yet, but users can force-stop the app through their device settings if they don’t see the new look right away. With the return of Material 3 design and new features on the way, users can look forward to a more enhanced experience in the Google App.
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