Nothing Phone (4a) Gets Nothing OS 4.1 Update With AI Eraser and Live Updates

Nothing Phone (4a) debuts these new features in Nothing OS 4.1

Nothing OS 4.1 on the Nothing Phone (4a) series is debuting a few key changes to the company's Android skin including better "Essential Apps" functionality, a new "Relaxation Hub," lock screen tweaks, and more. With Nothing Phone (4a) now on sale and the Pro available in a few days, Nothing is detailing some of the software upgrades available in the first update on these new devices. That starts with support for Android 16's Live Updates on the Phone (4a)'s Glyph Bar. Apps that use Live Updates will be able to show their progress on the Glyph Bar, so you can keep an eye on incoming rides, navigation, and more without seeing the actual screen. Beyond that, a new "Relaxation Hub" is also launching in Nothing OS 4.1. This new feature includes "Breathing Break" widgets with "Focus, Relax, and Calm" modes. They offer breathing exercises "designed to help you reset during the day." In other widget news, Nothing Phone (4a) is making it a bit easier to use and access Essential Apps - the widgets that you can vibe code. These will now get their own drawer which not only shows apps you've installed or are using, but also recommend ones in the Nothing Playground without you actually leaving the homescreen. The lock screen is also being updated with the clock face that first debuted on the Phone (3a) Community Edition, as well as a new "Depth Effect" beta that mimics how the clock can hide behind wallpaper elements on iOS. Finally, the Nothing Gallery app is adding its own built-in AI Eraser tool which works entirely on-device, no cloud processing or internet access needed. These updates will likely make their way to last-gen Nothing Phone releases over time, but Nothing OS 4.1 (based on Android 16) is launching first on Nothing Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro.

Nothing OS Rolls Out Several Updates for the Phone (4a) Series - Phandroid

Nothing recently announced that it's rolling out a new software update for the Nothing Phone 4a series, which was launched just this month. Posting on its official social media pages, Nothing says that the update improves "everyday usability, focus, and customisation across the system." For one, the update comes with changes to the Phone 4a's "at-a-glance" feature, and focuses on the new Live Updates system. That said, this allosws users to track real-time progress for rides, deliveries, and timers across the Always-on Display, Status Bar, and Lock Screen. When the 4a is face-down, the signature Glyph Bar will mirror this through light patterns, keeping users informed. As for digital well-being, the update brings three distinct modes which include "Focus", "Relax", and "Calm". Nothing says that it's also integrated specially-tuned haptic patterns that help guide users with their breathing rhythm when they want to destress or refocus during a busy day. The Essential Apps Drawer has alo been redesigned to highlight recommended apps, allowing users to customize their home screens instantly without needing to enter the Playground. For the Lock Screen, Nothing has included the fan-favorite clock face from the Phone (3a) Community Edition which features an exclusive typeface and a custom waking animation. A new Depth Effect has also been added to lock screen customization, alongside flexible options for clock sizing and alignment. For Photography, the update includes the new AI Eraser which now allows users to remove objects from their photos with a single tap or manual selection, and Nothing says that all AI processing happens locally on the device rather than in the cloud. The update will also arrive for older devices in the coming weeks.