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Important: One UI 3.0 was Samsung’s Android 11 rollout from 2020–2021, not a current 2026 update. This archived tracker records availability reported through January 28, 2021. Timing varied by Galaxy model, country, carrier, chipset and firmware variant.
Samsung announced One UI 3 on December 3, 2020, beginning the stable rollout with the Galaxy S20 series in South Korea, the United States and most European markets. The company said additional flagships would follow and Galaxy A devices would receive the update during the first half of 2021. Samsung’s announcement remains the primary reference.
What One UI 3.0 was
One UI 3.0 was Samsung’s interface software based on Android 11. It refreshed the Home and Lock screens, notifications, Quick Panel, widgets, Gallery, camera experience and video-call screen, while adding further customization and Samsung Free features. It was not one universal download: Samsung issued different firmware for each model, market, carrier and hardware variant.
Samsung had announced on August 18, 2020 that selected Galaxy devices would receive up to three generations of Android OS upgrades, with the Galaxy S20 family first in line. See the three-generation upgrade announcement.
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How to check your Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap Software update. Some versions use System updates.
- Tap Download and install or Check for updates.
- If offered, connect to Wi-Fi, charge the device, check free storage and follow the installation prompts.
Samsung also supports updating compatible devices with Smart Switch. Instructions and current software-update labels are documented at Samsung Support.
If no update appears
- Check the exact model number in Settings → About phone, along with the Android version and security-patch level.
- Confirm the country and carrier/CSC variant. An unlocked, carrier-branded, LTE, 5G, Exynos or Snapdragon version may follow a different schedule.
- Restart and check again later; rollouts were staged and could be paused.
- Look for Samsung Members notices and your carrier’s software-update page.
- Try Smart Switch on a compatible computer.
- Do not treat manual flashing as a normal workaround. Wrong regional or model firmware can cause data loss, incompatibility, feature problems or device failure.
Tracker status key
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stable released | Final public firmware distribution had begun in the cited market or through the cited carrier. |
| Beta available | An enrolled tester could receive a pre-release build; this did not prove stable-release timing. |
| Testing | A test build or carrier-testing activity was observed, with no confirmed public release. |
| Scheduled | Samsung or a carrier published an intended date or window that could change. |
| Limited release | Availability was restricted to a region, carrier or test group. |
| Paused or halted | Distribution stopped temporarily, commonly because of software defects or approval work. |
| Reported or rumored | Evidence came from secondary reports, screenshots, databases or users and required caution. |
| Not confirmed | No reliable public-rollout evidence was identified in the historical coverage. |
Evidence should be weighed in this order: Samsung or Samsung Members notice; carrier release page; production firmware database entry; multiple independent user confirmations; a single user report; then a test-build sighting or rumor. A firmware database entry proves that Samsung built or tested firmware, not that every owner could download it.
Devices included in Samsung’s Android 11 plan
The following families were covered by Samsung’s eligibility announcements or the historical tracker. Inclusion of a family did not mean that every regional, carrier, 5G or chipset variant updated simultaneously.
| Family | Models covered or discussed |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S | S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S20 FE, S10e, S10, S10+, S10 5G, S10 Lite |
| Galaxy Note | Note20, Note20 Ultra, Note10, Note10+, Note10 Lite |
| Foldables | Z Fold2, Z Fold, Z Flip, Z Flip 5G |
| Galaxy A, M, F and XCover | A90 5G, A80, A71, A70, A70s, A51, A50, A50s, A31, A30, A30s, A21s, A20, A20s, A10, A10s, A01 Core, A01, M51, M41 where reported, M31, M31s, M21, M11, M01, F41 and XCover Pro |
| Tablets | Tab S7, Tab S7+, Tab S6, Tab S6 Lite, Tab S5e, Tab A 10.1 (2019), Tab A8 (2019) and Tab A |
Samsung’s named-device policy is available in its official upgrade announcement.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Major rollout milestones recorded through January 28, 2021
Galaxy S20 family
The S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra were the first stable recipients, beginning in December 2020 in South Korea, the United States and most European markets. S20 FE releases appeared at different times in Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, the United States and other markets.
Galaxy Note20 family
Beta activity preceded wider stable distribution, with timing varying by region and carrier.
Galaxy S10 family
Beta and stable activity differed substantially by country and carrier. Some areas reportedly saw the rollout halted, followed by a hot-fix or renewed distribution.
Galaxy Note10 family
Beta and stable activity was reported across Korea, India, Europe, the United States, Canada and other markets rather than on one worldwide date.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Foldables
Z Fold2 and Z Flip releases differed by LTE or 5G model, region and carrier. A Z Flip beta was reportedly associated with a serious recovery or unlocking problem, making beta status unsuitable as proof of stable availability.
Galaxy A, M and F devices
Test or beta activity appeared around models including A51, A70, A71 and M30s. India-specific releases for the M21 and F41 were reported during January 2021. Samsung had said Galaxy A devices would generally be reached in the first half of 2021.
Tablets
Tab S7, Tab S7+, Tab S6, Tab S6 Lite, Tab S5e and listed Tab A models were part of the planned device families, with regional timing dependent on Samsung and carrier schedules.
Regional schedules and carrier variation
Historical schedules covered India, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Australia, Switzerland, Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, the UAE, France, Spain, Romania, Sweden and Portugal. The India schedule listed expected windows from December 2020 through August 2021, with flagship models generally earlier than many A-series, M-series and tablet models. Those were regional plans, not worldwide guarantees.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Carrier approval could add days or weeks after Samsung supplied firmware. A phone sold under the same retail name could therefore remain on Android 10 in one country while another market had Android 11.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Firmware identifiers in the historical reports
Reported identifiers included G98xxXXU5ZTK1, N98xxXXU1ZTK7, N986NKSU1ZTKJ, G780FXXU1BTL1, ETLL, BUAC, DUA8, DUA9 and CTL9. These codes identify particular model and regional branches. A similar-looking code must never be treated as interchangeable firmware for another model.
Pauses, bugs and recovery concerns
- The S10 rollout was reportedly halted in some areas.
- Some S10 Android 11 beta users reportedly encountered Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass problems after a rollback issue.
- Later hot-fix or resumed releases were reported for certain S10 regions.
- A Z Flip beta reportedly caused serious recovery or unlocking problems for some testers.
- On some Samsung devices, Android 11 changed the apparent method for entering recovery mode; a USB connection was reportedly required.
These were historical, build- and model-specific reports, not evidence that every One UI 3 installation had the same defect.
What the January 28, 2021 endpoint means
The last visible material in this tracker is dated January 28, 2021 and includes additional releases such as the Galaxy F41, M21 and revised S10 activity. It should be read as an archive of a staged 2020–2021 rollout, not as a live 2026 availability list. Individual carrier and regional delivery could still lag after a broader release.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is One UI 3.0 the same thing as Android 11?
One UI 3.0 is Samsung’s interface and feature layer built on the Android 11 operating system. A firmware entry may identify both versions, but they are not separate operating systems.
Does a beta invitation guarantee the stable update?
No. Beta access identifies a pre-release testing branch. Stable eligibility and timing still depend on the device variant, market and carrier.
Can Smart Switch force an update that is not offered over the air?
Smart Switch can install a compatible update when Samsung has made it available for that device and computer connection. It cannot create eligibility for a model, region or carrier that has not received the firmware.
Should I install firmware from another country?
Not as a default solution. Regional firmware can differ in model support, features, carrier configuration and bootloader requirements; incorrect flashing can erase data or damage the device.
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