Samsung has recently resumed Google Play system updates for older Galaxy smartphones after a brief pause due to potential device issues. According to Tech Advisor, Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 models have received a November security patch, while newer S25 and Z Fold 7 devices were excluded from this rollout.
Typically, Android smartphones receive monthly updates directly from Google, which may include new features or improvements. However, the recent update situation with Samsung has raised some eyebrows. While older models like the Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 have received updates, newer models such as the S25 and Z Fold 7 did not.
Interestingly, both the Galaxy S10 and S20 have officially reached the end of their update cycles. Support for the S10 ended in April 2023, while the S20 concluded its update cycle last year. Despite this, these older models received the recent Google Play system update, while newer models were left out.
There has been no official explanation from Samsung or Google regarding this selective update rollout. The timing of when newer Samsung smartphones will receive the update remains uncertain.
It is important to note that the Google Play system update mentioned here is not the latest January patch released by Google. Instead, it is an update from November that had not been made available to Samsung users until now.
Samsung temporarily paused the Google Play updates due to potential device issues, but they have now resumed the rollout starting with the November update (version 25.45 from 17 November 2025). The December update is expected to follow before the current January patch is released. It is important to mention that security patches addressing vulnerabilities and protecting devices from attacks are not affected by this update pause.
Users can check their current version by accessing Settings on their device, navigating to Security & Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update, and selecting Check for Updates.
For those looking to purchase a new Samsung handset, it is recommended to refer to a guide on the best Galaxy phones currently available.
This article was originally published on PC-WELT and has been translated and adapted from German.
