No One UI 8 for Galaxy S21, but Samsung Delivers August 2025 Update

Samsung has started rolling out the August 2025 security update to the Galaxy S21 lineup, with Korean users leading the charge. The new firmware brings the latest Android security fixes to the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra, ensuring continued protection against vulnerabilities. These devices are no longer eligible for feature updates.

Galaxy S21 trio bags Samsung’s August 2025 security update

The latest update for Samsung’s 2021 flagships is rolling out with firmware version HYH5 (last four characters) in Korea. As always, the release is staged, so it may take a few days before it becomes widely available across the country. Samsung should gradually expand the rollout to global markets, including the US.

While the Galaxy S21 series continues to receive security patches regularly, it is not eligible for One UI 8 (Android 16). Samsung promised four generations of OS upgrades for these phones and delivered those updates. Debuted with Android 11, the S21 trio picked up updates up to Android 15 (One UI 7). Security patches will continue until early 2026.

The Galaxy S21 FE is still eligible for One UI 8, though. That’s because it ran Android 12 out of the box, having debuted a year after the flagship models. Expected to arrive later this year, One UI 8 will be its last major OS upgrade. The FE model also recently picked up Samsung’s August SMR (Security Maintenance Release).

If you are using a Galaxy S21 model, expect the August 2025 update to hit your phone soon. It fixes dozens of security flaws found in the Android OS and Galaxy devices. Samsung’s security bulletin mentions 47 fixes in total, including one critical Android OS patch. Don’t expect any new features beyond security-related improvements, though. You can check for the update by navigating to: Settings > Software update > Download and install.