[Download] Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 Released for Phone 2a Android 15

We reported about the upcoming Nothing OS 3.0 and released the full changelog and feature list in our previous blog post. While it was an internal testing firmware, today, Nothing Tech released the first Nothing OS 3.0 software update based on Android 15 via beta program. Here, download the first Open Beta based Nothing OS 3.0 full OTA update for the Phone 2 and Phone 2a.

The Nothing OS 3.0 brings redesign across the system including Homescreen, Lockscreen, Quick Settings, new Smart Drawers, and most of all Android 15 and all of its features.

Nothing Twitter account released a short video of the new software update available for the Phone 2a, and will soon be available to the Phone 2 and Phone 1. So stay tuned and checkout the full changelog below.

The Nothing OS 3.0 update introduces a comprehensive redesign across the entire system. The lock screen experience has been revolutionized with a new customization page, accessible through a simple long press. Users can now choose from upgraded clock faces to personalize their device’s appearance, and the expanded widget space allows for more functionality right from the lock screen. This redesign extends to the Quick Settings panel, which now features an optimized editing experience and an enhanced widget library design. The Settings menu has also received a visual update, particularly in the Network & Internet and Bluetooth sections.

One of the most notable additions is the AI-powered Smart Drawer feature. This automatically categorizes your apps into folders, streamlining organization and improving accessibility. For added convenience, users can pin their favorite apps to the top of the app drawer, eliminating the need for endless scrolling.

Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the significant improvements made to the Phone 2a’s photography capabilities. The update brings faster camera launch speeds when using the Camera Widget, along with reduced HDR scene processing time. Portrait mode has been refined, with optimized effects that adjust blur intensity based on face size. Low-light photography has also been enhanced, ensuring better performance in challenging lighting conditions.

Nothing OS 3.0 introduces an enhanced pop-up view feature that revolutionizes multitasking on your device. Users can now move and resize pop-up windows by dragging the bottom corners, and even pin them to the screen edge for quick access. This feature seamlessly integrates with notifications, allowing users to view information without leaving their current app – simply swipe down on incoming notifications to enter the pop-up view. These improvements are complemented by the addition of partial screen sharing for more efficient and secure screen recording.

The update brings several other noteworthy improvements. An auto-archive function has been added to automatically free up storage space without removing apps or data from your device. The setup wizard has been updated to version 3.0, ensuring a smoother introduction to Nothing OS. The update also enables predictive back animations for compatible apps and introduces a new fingerprint animation featuring Nothing’s signature dot matrix styling.

What’s in Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1?

• Android 15
• Lock screen
  •  New lock screen customization page. Access by long-pressing the lock screen.
  •  Upgraded clock faces. Choose your favorite style.
  •  Expanded widget space, allowing you to place more widgets on your lock screen.
• Smart Drawer
  •  Added AI-powered Smart Drawer feature to automatically categorize your apps into folders. For better organization and easy access.
  •  For ultimate convenience, you can pin your favorite apps to the top of the app drawer. No scrolling required.
• Quick Settings
  •  Reconsidered Quick Settings design with an optimized editing experience.
  •  Enhanced widget library design.
  •  Updated visuals in Settings, including better Network & Internet and Bluetooth options.
• Camera improvements
  •  Faster camera launch speed under the Camera Widget.
  •  Reduced HDR scene processing time.
  •  Optimized portrait effects by fine-tuning blur intensity based on face size.
  •  Boosted camera performance in low-light environments.
  •  Improved zoom slider display.
• Enhanced pop-up view
  •  Movable pop-up view for cleaner and more productive multitasking.
  •  Easily resize the pop-up view by dragging the bottom corners.
  •  Pin the pop-up view on the screen edge for quick access.
  • View information without leaving your current app. Simply swipe down on incoming notifications to enter the pop-up view. Enable via Settings > System > Pop-up view.
  •  New fingerprint animation with signature dot matrix styling.
• Other improvements
  •  Added support for auto-archive function to automatically free up storage space without removing apps or data from your device.
  •  Partial screen sharing for more efficient and secure screen recording. Record just an app window rather than the entire screen.
  •  Updated setup wizard to version 3.0 for the smoothest introduction to Nothing OS.
  •  Enabled predictive back animations for apps that have opted in.

When will Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta be available for your device?

• Phone (2a): Available now
• Phone (2): November 2024
• Phone (1): December 2024
• Phone (2a) Plus: December 2024
• CMF Phone 1: December 2024

Download Nothing OS 3.0 for Phone 2a

Here, download the Android 15 Beta package, which will help you upgrade to the latest Android 15 from Nothing Tech.

Note: The EEA & Global variants have the same firmware now as they have been unified! This is great news as you only need a single file. Codenames – Pacman (Global) – (Europe) – (India)

• Download Nothing OS 3.0 full OTA
  • From Pacman | Download coming soon…
• Download this APK to download NOS 3.0 Open Beta firmware
  • Installation instructions below

How to Install Nothing OS 3.0 on your phone?

Warning: Before you dive headfirst into the installation process, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting yourself into. This is a developer preview, which means it’s an early build intended for developers and advanced users. It might have bugs, missing features, and stability issues. Regular users are strongly advised to wait for a more polished, official release.

Important Considerations Before Installation

• Backup is Critical: Upgrading to the Developer Preview will erase all your data. Creating a comprehensive backup is absolutely essential.
• Unstable Software: Be prepared for bugs, crashes, and unexpected behavior. This is a developer preview, not a daily driver experience.
• Limited Functionality: Certain Nothing apps like X/Weather, Launcher, Recorder, and Widgets might not be pre-installed.

Installation Procedure

1. Ensure you have installed NOS version 2.6, build number should be Pacman-U2.6-240828_1906
2. Download the following APK and install it from your downloads.
3. Navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta version.
4. Tap “Check for new version” and follow the steps to get started.

How to roll back to the stable build?

This roll-back solution will erase all the data of your devices. Please be sure to backup first.

1. Download the rollback package for Nothing OS 2.6 here.
2. Navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta version.
3. Tap “Import file” and select the previously downloaded package.
4. Follow the steps to carry through with the rollback.

Source