Samsung reveals latest Android phone to receive free upgrade this month – see full list of eligible handsets
A SAMSUNG security update that fixes nearly 60 cyber flaws has been rolled out to even more Android devices.
It is now available on 20 Galaxy phones, and several tablets.
The July 2024 security patch, dubbed One UI 6.1.1, several backdoor routes that hackers can use to steal people’s data.
It fixes 58 vulnerabilities, including 25 that affect all Android devices and 33 that impact Samsung phones specifically.
Of the 25 Android flaws, four are “critical” issues, and the rest have been categorised as “high” risk.
None of the vulnerabilities were exploited by hackers before they were discovered, according to the published security notes.
Cyber researchers – or bug catchers – are understood to have found the vulnerabilities and privately disclosed them to Samsung.
So-called bug catcher usually receive a finders fee for alerting companies to flaws before they are exploited.
What are the security flaws?
One “high” risk security flaw impacted One UI Home, the app that lets users customise their home screen.
The flaw, discovered more than a year ago, allowed hackers “improper access control” in the app.
However, user interaction was required to trigger this vulnerability, making it harder for hackers to exploit.
Another “moderate” security gap affected Samsung’s Secure Folder, which is used to store private photos, videos, files and apps behind a passcode or biometric lock.
The bug allowed “physical attackers to bypass authentication” under certain conditions.
It’s unclear what these conditions are. However, user interaction was, again, required to exploit this bug.
Is my phone eligible for the update?
The latest phone to receive the patch is the Galaxy A34, a mid-range phone that launched in 2023.
As usual, Samsung has pushed out the update to phones in phases.
Samsung has not released a timeline of when specific phones will receive the update.
There are now 20 phones able to install the update, including:
- Galaxy S24
- Galaxy S24+
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S23
- Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Galaxy S21
- Galaxy S21+
- Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy S20 FE
- Galaxy Z Flip 3
- Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Galaxy Note 20 5G
- Galaxy A55
- Galaxy A54
- Galaxy A53
- Galaxy A52s 5G
- Galaxy A14
- Galaxy A34
The tablets also eligible for the update include:
- Galaxy Tab S9 lineup
- Galaxy Tab S8 Plus
You can download the latest security update by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
Samsung charging tip – how to charge best
Here's Samsung's official advice...
To get the most out of your smartphone’s battery, you’ll need to charge it properly.
Most Smartphones have a lithium-ion battery that lives longer when charged regularly.
Unlike the nickel batteries used in older phones, lithium-ion batteries do best when kept above a 50 percent charge.
Repeatedly allowing the battery to drain fully may shorten its life and decrease its overall capacity.
If this happens, you’ll need to charge the battery more frequently and it may last only a few hours before needing a charge, for example.
Leaving the phone connected to the charger (when the phone is completely charged) while you are using it may lower battery life if you do it repeatedly.