Get the latest scoop on Samsung’s Google Play system updates for older Galaxy smartphones. Find out why newer models like the S25 and Z Fold 7 were excluded from the recent rollout and what this means for the security of end-of-life devices.
In summary:
- Samsung has resumed Google Play system updates for older Galaxy smartphones after pausing them due to potential device issues, according to Tech Advisor.
- Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 models received a November security patch, while newer S25 and Z Fold 7 devices were excluded from this rollout.
- This cautious approach prioritizes older device stability over the latest updates, ensuring continued security protection for end-of-life Samsung smartphones.
Android smartphones receive monthly updates directly from Google, impacting all manufacturers with new features and improvements. However, these updates may not arrive simultaneously on all devices.
This month, Samsung faced an anomaly where newer models like the S25 and Z Fold 7 did not receive the update, while older models like the Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 did.
Despite the updates, both the Galaxy S10 and S20 have exceeded their update lifecycles. Support for the S10 ended in April 2023, and the S20 concluded its update cycle last year.
No official explanation has been provided by Samsung or Google regarding this discrepancy. The timeline for when newer Samsung smartphones will receive the update remains uncertain.
Not the latest update
It’s worth mentioning that the Google Play system update discussed here is not the January patch released by Google on 12 January. Instead, it is the November update that was pending for Samsung users.
Foundry
As per Samsung (via Heise Online), Google Play updates were temporarily halted due to potential issues with Samsung devices. The updates have now resumed, starting with the November Google Play update version 25.45 from 17 November 2025.
The December update is expected to follow before the current January patch, assuming no further issues are encountered. Security patches addressing vulnerabilities and safeguarding devices from attacks remain unaffected by the update pause.
You can check your current version by navigating to Settings > Security & Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update on your device and selecting Check for Updates.
Interested in a new Samsung device? Explore our guide to the best Galaxy phones available for purchase.
This content first appeared on our affiliated site PC-WELT and has been translated and adapted from German.
