It’s Over — Galaxy S21 Series Will No Longer Receive Updates from Samsung

If you’re using a Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra, the clock has officially run out on software support. Samsung has ended regular updates for the lineup. While the phones will continue to function, the lack of future security patches and optimizations means they will gradually become more vulnerable to security threats and long-term performance issues.

Samsung ends software updates for the Galaxy S21 series

Launched in January 2021, the Galaxy S21 lineup has completed its full software lifecycle. Samsung promised four generations of OS updates and up to five years of security patches for the devices, and delivered those. The 2021 flagships shipped with Android 11 and picked up their final major OS upgrade in the first half of 2025, making the jump to Android 15-based One UI 7.0.

Now, as we enter the second month of 2026, the sun has set on security patches as well. The Galaxy S21 trio is no longer included in Samsung’s February 2026 security update scope. This means the devices will not receive regular software or security updates. Samsung may still issue an update in rare cases where a critical vulnerability requires an emergency fix, but there’s no official guarantee.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S21 FE is still eligible for updates. The Fan Edition model launched almost a year later and has another year of security support. Those updates will arrive less frequently though, as Samsung has demoted the device from monthly security patches to quarterly releases.

However, for users with a Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra, it’s best to upgrade to a newer model soon. Samsung’s One UI 8 update already offers several key improvements over One UI 7, which is what the Galaxy S21 series will end its life on. The upcoming One UI 8.5 update will further enhance the Galaxy experience with UI upgrades and new features.

Samsung will ship the Galaxy S26 series with One UI 8.5 out of the box. If you plan to upgrade to the new flagships, you can sign up for our Mystery Box program to score free accessories, including a 65W GaN charger, a protective case, and more. The offer is available for US customers who pre-order the device through the Mystery Box program.