Updates
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic receiving One UI 5 Watch (Wear OS 4)
Samsung is rolling out Wear OS 4-based One UI 5 Watch update to the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. The major firmware carries PDA build version HWH3 and July 2023’s security patch. The company is continuously expanding the update’s availability to more users.
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For your information, Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch is based on Wear OS 4 (Android 13). It brings new features, enhanced health and fitness tracking features, and functional stability. Besides, new apps from Google and third-party devs will be available through the Play Store.
The full changelog follows:
Watch faces and tiles
- Add watch faces and tiles more easily
- A new vertical layout makes it easier to find the watch faces and tiles that are right for you.
- Check the battery level of all your devices: The new Battery tile lets you quickly check the battery level of your watch, phone, and Galaxy Buds.
- Improved Buds controller tile: You can now turn 360 audio on and off from the Buds controller tile if your Buds support 360 audio.
- Quick access to timers: You can start timers from the new Timer tile without opening the Timer app.
- Set an album or story as your watch face: Instead of just one picture, you can now make your watch face cycle between pictures in an album or story that you select. Your watch face will change to a different picture each time you turn on the watch screen.
Samsung Health
- Enhanced sleep coaching: A redesigned results screen makes it easier to understand how well you slept each night, and you can now check your habits and recommendations directly on your watch without having to reach for your phone.
- Automatically record cycling workouts: Samsung Health can now detect when you start cycling and record your workout automatically. You can also set whether to automatically map your cycling routes.
- Get heart rate guidance during running workouts: Your watch can provide personalized heart rate zones while you run to help you manage your exercise intensity.
- More accurate results for track runs: If you start running on a regular 400 meter track, your watch can recognize which lane you’re running in to give you more accurate results for laps and distances.
- Create your own exercise: Can’t find your exercise in the list of options? You can now create your own custom exercise that measures your distance, speed, route, and more.
Backup and restore
- Keep your watch data safe: Files and data from your watch are periodically backed up to your phone when it’s connected to your watch. You can also save backups to Samsung Cloud. Your phone needs the latest version of the Smart Switch app to use this feature.
- Transfer your watch to a new phone: It’s easier than ever to switch from one phone to another. You’ll still have your watch faces and apps after transferring.
Control your phone
- More call controls: You now have more control over calls without touching your phone. You can adjust the call volume, mute sound, and press buttons on the keypad, all from your watch.
- Take pictures from your watch: Whenever the camera is open in Flex mode or Tent mode on your Galaxy Z Flip5 or Fold5, a camera icon will appear at the bottom of your watch face. Tap the icon to quickly access camera controls on your watch.
Additional changes
- Dictate text with the Home button: Just press and hold the Home button any time you’re entering text with Samsung Keyboard to instantly switch to voice input.
- Let Bixby read your notifications: Bixby can read your notifications out loud if you have headphones connected to your watch. You can then tell Bixby what to do after the notification is finished being read. To use this feature, Bixby needs to be set as the default voice assistant for your watch.
- Use multiple timers at once: You can now have up to 20 timers running at the same time to help keep track of all your tasks.
- Share your medical info in an emergency: A button to access your medical info will appear automatically when a hard fall is detected or when you press the Home button 5 times to start the Emergency SOS feature.
- Device care: Check the status of your watch’s battery, storage, and memory and immediately fix any problems to extend battery life and keep your watch running smoothly.
- Control your watch without touching it: Universal gestures let you control your watch without touching the screen or pressing a button. You can assign various actions to gestures such as shaking your wrist, making a fist, or pinching your fingers.
- Organize apps in folders: Create folders to keep your apps organized so you can find the apps you need quickly with less scrolling.
- Keep your watch safe: If you set a PIN or pattern on your watch, you’ll need to enter the PIN or pattern before you can set your watch after a factory reset. This prevents your watch from being used by someone else if it’s lost or stolen.
Updates
Unlocked Galaxy S23 models grabbing new update in December 2024 [US]
December 2024 is going on and Samsung is releasing the second November 2024 update for the Galaxy S23 series models in the US. The update is rolling out for unlocked models and could be available to locked models in the coming days or weeks.
Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra models are getting a new update in the US with One UI builds S911U1UEU5CXJR, S916U1UEU5CXJR, and S918U1UEU5CXJR respectively.
The fresh update improves the stability and reliability of the device for a better Galaxy experience. It is also expected to fix some issues encountered in the previous version to make your smartphone more secure and reliable.
However, the changelog does not include any new features or changes. It is essential to important to install the update to open the way for future updates and One UI 7 Beta.
For installation, you just need to navigate to the device’s Settings, then a Software update, and Download and install. If you have received the update, install it now to get enhanced features.
Samsung recently started the One UI 7 Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series and it is expected to expand to more Galaxy devices including the S23 series soon. The beta update lets you enjoy new features and enhancements on your devices ahead of the official release.
Updates
December 2024 security update rolls out to Galaxy Z Flip 6, Fold 6
Samsung has begun releasing the December 2024 security update for Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones. The update is currently rolling out in the update in Korea and the company will soon make it available in more countries.
December 2024 security update for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones can be verified through One UI build version F956NKSS2AXKC and F741NKSS2AXKC respectively. Users will have to download a 380MB package to install the update.
This fresh update is based on Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1 update. Users of these phones are waiting for the One UI 7 Beta update to try new features and improvements ahead of the official release.
December 2024 security patch addresses over 45 vulnerabilities, including both Google and Samsung-specific issues to enhance device security.
This update incorporates 6 critical and 28 high-level fixes from Google. Additionally, one previously resolved issue has been readdressed, and another is not relevant to Samsung devices.
On the Samsung side, 2 high-level vulnerabilities in its semiconductor products have been patched. The update also includes 8 fixes listed under Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE), focusing on the Theme Center, Galaxy Watch Bluetooth functionality, SmartSwitch, and Dex Mode.
To check the update, you just need to navigate to the device’s Settings, then a Software update, and Download and install. If you have received the update, install it now to get enhanced features.
Updates
Samsung rolls out second November 2024 update to Galaxy S24 series
We are in December 2024 and Samsung has started releasing the second November 2024 security update for the Galaxy S24 series. The update is currently available for users in Europe and may expand to more countries soon.
Users of the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra are getting a second November 2024 security update via the One UI build version S921BXXU4AXK4, S926BXXU4AXK4, and S928BXXU4AXK4 respectively.
The fresh update enhances the stability of some functions to provide a better experience. In addition, it also improves the security of the device by fixing some bugs for smoother performance. However, the exact details of the enhancements are not given in the changelog.
Users will have to download a 570 MB package to install the firmware update on their smartphone. For installation, you just need to visit Settings >> Software Update >> Download and install.
Aside from this, Samsung is regularly working to start the One UI 7 Beta Program soon for the Galaxy S24 series. Recently, a new build appeared for the Galaxy S24 series, suggesting the beta update is just around the corner.
If you are using a Galaxy S24 smartphone in Europe, install the update now to get enhanced security. In addition, it is the way towards the One UI 7 Beta.
Samsung moves closer to One UI 7 Beta release for Galaxy S24