The August security update for Samsung phones and tablets is out yet and we're approaching the halfway point of the month. The update fixes 50 bugs. 35 of the fixes come from Google, with one rated critical and 34 rated moderate. A patch was contributed by Samsung's chip design division, Samsung Semiconductor.
Only 14 of the 50 bug fixes affect Galaxy smartphones and tablets exclusively, with most of the bugs allowing attackers to gain access to a victim's device. Once they can break into a phone, the criminals steal personal data without asking for the necessary permissions and can also cause the phone to crash. The August update is now rolling out with firmware version M556BXXU3AXG7. In addition to correcting and fixing the discovered bugs, the update also improves the stability and performance of the devices that have received and installed the update.
You would think that Samsung would make sure that its flagship phones get the update first, but surprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy M55 is the first Galaxy device to receive it. This phone carries the model number SM-M556B. If you own the Galaxy M55 or whenever you get the update, you can install it by following these instructions. Head to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
The unlocked and T-Mobile/Sprint versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will soon receive the security update in the US | Image credit: PhoneArena
Although the decision to start with the mid-range Galaxy M55 model sounds surprising, Samsung occasionally sends security updates to non-flagship devices first. Still, it seems odd that owners of a Galaxy S24 series phone won't receive the August security update first. The Galaxy M55 was released in Europe and is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (AP) application processor. The phone was released last March.
In the US, the August update will soon be available for the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which will start receiving it this week. Unlocked models and Galaxy Note 20 series phones on the T-Mobile or Sprint network will get it first. The firmware version ends with the letters “HXH1.” Other US models with carrier lock-in will also receive the update soon. This is still a surprise, as the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra were both released four years ago.
