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Samsung is now rolling out its January 2024 security update to the Galaxy S21 series in the US. The latest security patch is also widely available for the Galaxy S23 lineup. Most other eligible models have already picked up the update globally.
January security update is now available for the Galaxy S21 in the US
Over the past three weeks, Samsung has released the January 2024 SMR (Security Maintenance Release) for dozens of Galaxy smartphones around the world. The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S21 series have also picked it up in many international markets. In fact, the former lineup has got the update in the US too.
However, the initial rollout only covered carrier-locked units of the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra stateside. Samsung has now brought the update over to the unlocked variants too. The devices are getting the new SMR with the build number S91*U1UES2BWL9. It was S91*USQS2BWL7 for locked units.
Regardless of the build number, the content of the update remains the same. Samsung is pushing 80 vulnerability patches to the Galaxy family this month. These include one critical security fix and dozens more high-severity patches, five of which only exist on Android products from the Korean firm.
All of these security fixes are also now available for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra in the US. The update is initially rolling out to carrier-locked units on Verizon’s network with the build number G991USQS9FXA2. A wider rollout, covering both locked and unlocked units on all networks, should follow soon. The rollout for the international models began a few days back.
Like the Galaxy S23 series, the Galaxy S21 series is also only picking up the latest security fixes stateside. There aren’t any new features or functional improvements to talk about. Not long ago, Samsung updated the phones to Android 14-based One UI 6.0, so this isn’t surprising. As usual, you can check for new updates on your Galaxy phone from the Settings app.
Both flagship lines should get Samsung’s One UI 6.1
A major new feature update is on the horizon for the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S23 series. Samsung is readying One UI 6.1 for the devices. Debuted with the Galaxy S24 series a few days back, the updated version of One UI brings a host of AI features. Some of those may not trickle down to older models but most should. We will let you know when the company starts pushing the update.