Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Samsung’s getting serious about security updates for its Android phones

By

Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Malarie Gokey/Digital Trends
Android security has been an issue for several years, and Samsung wants to help its users understand if their phones are running the most recent software update, with the strongest security onboard. It has therefore added a new feature called the Android Security Patch Level to selected phones.

Samsung has added the new feature in the latest updates to the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. These phones now have some extra information in the About Phone section of Settings. The Android Security Patch Level heading, first spotted by Android Central, shows the most recent update applied on the device by month, date, and year.

Samsung_Galaxy_S6_Edge_Plus_security_patch_level_screenshot
Android Central
Android Central
Recommended Videos

What is even more significant is the fact that Google implemented this same strategy on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but these Samsung devices are still on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Samsung is actually implementing Marshmallow features in Lollipop for the sake of security, and that’s an awesome thing.

It follows this summer’s panic attack known as Stagefright, when Google vowed to make monthly security patches to thwart future vulnerabilities, That was a grand gesture, but unfortunately Google can’t control the billion plus Android devices that are out in the wild, only a handful of Nexus and Android One devices. It’s such a problem that we commented that Android will never be safe until something is done.

Manufacturers are starting to take notice, with many committing to pushing Google’s monthly security updates to their phones. These companies will probably be waiting to implement the Android Security Patch Level feature in the Marshmallow update, so until then it won’t be easy finding out what security updates, if any, your device has received.

You have to give kudos to Samsung on this one. The company has been beaten up badly over the years for its TouchWiz interface and even security concerns related to only its phones, but this is a step in the right direction, and positive news for the future.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Robert Nazarian
Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 8
A person holding the Google Pixel 8, showing the back of the phone.

The Google Pixel 8 is a well-received Android-based smartphone. However, there are reasons why you might not choose it and opt for something else. Perhaps its 6.2-inch display does not meet your requirements, or its camera system does not match your expectations. It could also be possible that you would prefer a phone released in 2024 instead of one launched late last year.

If you’re not interested in buying the Google Pixel 8, several alternative phones may be more suitable for your needs. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 has the same-sized display as the Pixel 8 but with better internals. Alternatively, you could consider the OnePlus 12R, which offers a bigger display and better internals at a lower price. And that's just scratching the surface.

Read more
Samsung’s Galaxy AI is about to get a lot more useful
A Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus laying on concrete.

Not long after releasing it for a handful of flagship phones from 2023, Samsung has just announced a substantial update to its Galaxy AI platform. More specifically, a lot more people will soon be able to use Galaxy AI as Samsung is updating it to work with more languages and dialects.

At some point this spring, Galaxy AI will support Arabic, Indonesian, and Russian languages. Samsung's also adding Australian English, Cantonese, and Canadian French dialects.

Read more
Samsung’s newest Android tablet is a perfect iPad alternative
A render of the front of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2024.

Samsung has just launched a refreshed Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) for the U.S. exclusively through Amazon. This comes after Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) internationally.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) is the latest entry in Samsung’s midrange tablet lineup that made its debut in 2020. This newest iteration has the same overall design, S Pen integration, screen, and just 4GB RAM. However, it now has a new Exynos processor and comes with Android 14 right out of the box.

Read more