If you own the Galaxy S8, S8+, or Note 5, be on the lookout for a new security update. These Samsung devices are the latest to receive the December security update to patch issues from both Samsung and Android.
The update appears to patch 10 issues found with Samsung’s software, as well as 11 critical problems patched for Android itself. The new build numbers will be G950NKSU1AQL3 (Galaxy S8) and G955NKSU1AQL3 (Galaxy S8+). We would highly recommend installing all security updates to protect your Samsung device.
If you have it set to download updates automatically, you should get a notification when the December security update has been downloaded to your device, then just hit “Install” on the notification. If not, or if you want to check for yourself manually, jump over to “System updates” in your Settings, then tap on “Download updates manually” to check.
Interestingly, T-Mobile is the first carrier to issue the security update to the S8 and S8+. If you own one of these devices through this carrier, you should have had access to the update since yesterday.
The Galaxy Note 5 is also getting an update alongside Samsung’s 2017 line of devices. In addition to the security patch, the update provides the Note 5 with performance increases along with bug fixes.
Hopefully, other Samsung devices like the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S7, and other models still currently in the Samsung monthly security updates program will get the December update soon.
Of course, none of these updates are what Android fans are really waiting for — version 8.0, better known as Android Oreo. For now, Samsung users will have to settle for this standard maintenance update or install the Oreo beta to hold them over.
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