Hi everyone, Today, we rolled out the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta for the Phone (3a) Series, which included Lock Glimpse and sparked a lot of questions. We had planned to cover this next week as part of a new product announcement, but we wanted to address it now to be transparent and provide you with the full context. Building Nothing from the ground up hasn’t been easy. We are the only smartphone brand in the last decade that has successfully launched, scaled and developed full end-to-end capabilities. This is no small feat in a market defined by high entry barriers, from massive capital requirements and complex supply chains to intense competition. One of the biggest challenges for any new entrant is managing the BOM (Bill of Materials) cost, which is higher than that of established players. On top of this, most brands also have software-based revenue streams, the most straightforward being pre-installed partner apps and services. This is a common approach across the industry, including for established brands like Samsung. For us, this means operating on razor-thin margins and making careful, deliberate choices for every aspect of the product while still delivering an optimal user experience. As we continue investing in hardware and software innovation as well as sustaining our growth, we need to explore sustainable revenue models to avoid passing costs and ensuring optimal pricings for our products - especially for entry- and mid-segment products. Moving forward, on select non-flagship devices, we’ll start including a carefully considered selection of third-party partner apps and services that don’t disrupt the Nothing OS experience you love. These are apps most people install on day one, like Instagram. They’re not random - we’re working with popular platforms many of you already use daily, and in some cases, these integrations can even enhance performance or provide tighter experiences, such as improved camera or sharing features. As part of this we have a new feature called Lock Glimpse being tested in the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta on the Phone (3a) Series. Lock Glimpse brings fresh, high-quality wallpapers to your lock screen, curated to your taste across nine categories. It can also surface timely updates and useful content, designed to enhance your experience, not distract you. A few important details: On Phone (3a) Series, Lock Glimpse is off by default. You can enable it anytime in Settings, or access it only by swiping left from your lock screen. You can customize wallpaper categories, refresh anytime, or disable it completely. In future updates, you’ll be able to use your own photos, replacing standard wallpapers entirely and making every unlock uniquely yours. If you choose to turn it on, no personal data is shared. This is standard across the industry, but we’ll always do it the Nothing way - redesigning each element and integrating them into Nothing OS in the most optimal way (default designs look terrible…) - while keeping everything completely under your control, giving you the ability to remove things or turn features on and off as you wish. What’s not changing: our focus remains on delivering the best possible user experience while taking the steps needed to achieve our ambitions. We’ll always: Keep partner apps minimal and easy to remove Be upfront about what’s pre-installed and why Give you full control over features like Lock Glimpse We’d rather be open and transparent about this change and hear your feedback and suggestions. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments regarding third-party apps and services. Thanks Akis [ UPDATE ] - 30 OCT Yesterday, we launched Phone (3a) Lite, the first entry-level smartphone from Nothing. As mentioned above, we want to remain open and transparent about the inclusion of third-party apps and services in Nothing OS, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding this change. Continuing on that, we’ve made some new developments regarding third-party apps and services and have begun including a carefully selected range of third-party partner apps and app recommendation services in Phone (3a) Lite. These are some of the most widely used apps globally , the ones most users tend to install on day one. TikTok - EU , UK and Japan Instagram - All Regions ( except Japan ) Facebook - All Regions ( except Japan ) Because these apps come pre-installed, they offer : Faster startup: These apps launch 50 to 100 milliseconds quicker. Smarter background performance: App background retention is optimized, so when you switch back to Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, they resume exactly where you left off without reloading. Better power efficiency: These apps are optimized for power efficiency, helping extend your device’s battery life by reducing power consumption. Seamless camera access: Using the camera within these apps is smoother, providing a more fluid shooting experience and reducing the chance of lag or crashes. And importantly, you still retain full control. If you choose to, all three apps can be uninstalled at any time. Additionally, some community members have raised concerns about the Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Service. These apps are designed to ensure that pre-installed apps are updated to their latest versions in a timely manner and to maintain their stability. If users wish to disable them, they can do so by navigating to: Settings App > All apps > Tap the icon in the top-right corner > Select “Show system” > Find the Meta apps > Select the “disable” button. However, we recommend not disabling these apps if you intend to use the pre-installed apps, as they are essential for ensuring the stability and proper functioning of those apps. ‎ We are also introducing recommendation services which essentially recommend apps that are curated to enhance the initial setup experience for users by helping them quickly discover essential utility and social apps, rather than searching for and downloading each one individually from the Play Store. A few important details: It’s only visible during the initial phone setup or when the phone is reactivated after a factory reset. Once the setup is complete, there are no more app suggestions during daily use. Users have full control over it — you can choose to skip and not download any of the recommended apps. The recommended apps are verified by a trusted partner, eliminating the risk of malware or low-quality software. If users wish to disable this feature , they can do so by navigating to: Settings App > All apps > Tap the icon in the top-right corner > Select “Show system” > Find “App services” > Select the “disable” button. ‎ [ UPDATE ] 3 NOV Hi everyone, Following your feedback and suggestions, we’ve been working on making pre-installed services more flexible and within your control. Starting later this month, you’ll be able to completely remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Services from your device background. Previously, these could only be disabled. While we recommended keeping them active for better stability of pre-installed apps like Instagram or Facebook, we understand that some users prefer full control over what stays on their device. We’re aiming to roll this out by the end of the month and will confirm once it’s live. Thank you for your continued feedback. It helps us keep improving while staying true to our promise of openness and user choice. [ UPDATE ] 9 JAN Hi everyone, With the latest software updates, we’ve introduced improvements that give you more control over pre-installed services, Lock Glimpse, and app recommendations. Sharing the details below for full transparency. Meta Services You can now fully remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Service from the background. Here is how it works: The Disable button remains visible in the app details page. When you tap Disable, you will see a prompt asking you to restart your device. After the reboot, all Meta services are removed from the background. Disabling any one of them will automatically remove the others. After a factory reset, these services will reappear as part of the original system image and can be removed again using the same steps. App Recommendations With the latest update on Nothing (a) series and CMF phones, you may see a small pop-up suggesting recommended apps. This is part of the setup experience and appears during initial device setup or after certain software updates, when setup-related flows are triggered again. If you’re not interested, you can simply swipe left to dismiss it. If you prefer not to use this feature at all, you can turn it off at any time by going to Settings > Apps > All apps > Top-right icon > Show system > App Services > Disable. We’re also working on adding support to completely uninstall App Services in a future OTA, following the same approach as Meta Services. Lock Glimpse Based on feedback and after careful consideration, we’ve decided to remove Lock Glimpse from the Nothing Phone (a) Series except Lite. We’ll only reconsider it once it’s meaningfully improved to feel less intrusive and more considered. We’ll continue to be open about these decisions. Your feedback directly shapes how Nothing OS evolves. Akis

Hey everyone, for entry-level devices like Phone (3a) Lite and CMF phones, the context is different. To deliver strong overall value at a more accessible price, certain trade-offs apply. On these devices, Lock Glimpse remains off by default, is easy to remove, and continues to be refined to stay non-intrusive. Users can turn it off via Settings > Lock Screen > Lock Glimpse, or disable it via Settings > Apps > Show system apps > Lock Glimpse. Support for completely uninstalling Lock Glimpse will be added in a future OTA, following the same approach used for Meta app services removal from the background. [Update] - 28 JAN We’re starting the rollout of Nothing OS 4.0 for Phone (3a) lite today. With this update, Lock Glimpse can now be fully removed from the background. The Disable button remains available in the app details page. When you tap Disable, you’ll see a prompt asking you to restart your device. After the reboot, Lock Glimpse is removed from the system background. If you perform a factory reset, Lock Glimpse will reappear as part of the original system image and can be removed again using the same steps.

Lock Glimpse & Future Plans

RajPratapAnand

Please dont save the reputation by trying to brainwash into making us think you are lagging behind. Already abandoned glyph interpfave for a filthy screen on the back which is a copy . Also i paid for exclusively the experience of no bloatware at all and lock glimpse is one even though we can completely disable it , unless you add ai to it and we can make our collections by making ai make a slideshow of sorts from our own photos would be much better for the ai integrated os. Please do not add any bad spyware - ALL THE APPS THAT ASK FOR USAGE DATA ARE MOSTLY SPYWARE LIKE INSTA AND FB they give us targetted ads for eg i talk about a back cover or a laptop and the next instant i open insta i get ads which is basically invasion of privacy. Also BLAOTWARE like tiktok , snapchat , insta , fb , netflix , uber , etc .IT RUINS THE EXPERIENCE instead you could just up your game by releasing a phone worth 40k with FEATURES on par with a 40k smartphone. There is no need for nothing tech to think we wont pay for a 40k phone , we will if you abide by your tagline “ NO BLAOTWARE ” 🤡

Honor

Akis Here’s the thing though: On a fresh phone would Nothing OS ask you “Do you want to install Instagram?” and give you the option of “Yes” or “No” just like how I have the option between Nothing or Stock home screen, or am I just going to see it already on my home screen? And what stops that from spiraling from one preinstalled app, to two apps, to three in the future? Each time I get a new phone, I’d have to uninstall apps. That’s bloat!

Sourav_Satvaya

CMF1_hacker To you Nothing is the perfect brand, whatever they do they do the right thing. Have you ever criticised the brand? Be a fan boy not a blind fan boy.

Siemens NX

Akis I prefer not to have bloatware at all. If I want something I can install it myself. I don’t need “carefully” chosen apps by the company for me. Even if I can uninstall it easily.

Think of it like a fly dropping into your soup. You can easily take it off and continue eating but it’s disgusting.

It always starts with little stuff that we can uninstall or disable but it gets to a point. No other company started with permanent bloatware, they all had little stuff that didn’t bother much. I think Carl knows this better than me with OnePlus.

I remember your stance about not preinstalling Netflix thus not being able to offer HDR in Netflix. I fully supported that even though it would benefit some users. It made you unique and stand out.

You can see the screenshots of Carl calling Instagram bloatware, it makes the situation even funnier now.

Also: When you break your “no bloatware” promise once how do you expect us to trust with the “it will be uninstallable 100%” promise?

Some day a company will offer you more to be permanently installed - an offer you can’t refuse. Because why would they even pay if you can easily uninstall them or have them off by default. Makes no sense for advertisers.

CMF1_hacker

Sourav_Satvaya I understand what it takes to raise £200MM Series C and this helps with that goal.

Akis is correct, turn it off?

Sourav_Satvaya

Akis As of now. After a year of two you’ll add more and integrate those apps into the system which will affect other features too just like trash chinese ui. We are getting where the brand is heading. It’s not too late.

CMF1_hacker

Sourav_Satvaya vote with your wallet. That’s why I left Xiaomi and OnePlus. I will leave NTL is goes the same way.

Sourav_Satvaya

CMF1_hacker Same, I once was a OnePlus fan. Bought multiple phones but then the merger happened and ruined everything. I came to Nothing just because of the bloatware free experience, but looks like it’s going to the same direction. If that happens then the only option will be Pixel.

Ani_Vri_007

Well, Well, Well

What should I say 🤔

You people are over crying (synonymous to over exaggeration) on it

There is Nothing to cry about.

When they have just given the option of disable it

Then why make a big deal of it

While I can also understand what you people wanna convey that it is better to develop apps like Nothing dialer, Nothing Player. Because people will genuinely like and love them to use.

I also liked the point of a man when he was saying that when nothing is requested some features like customisation then they say that it will be like copying

But when they add features like Lock Glimpses they say that it is a standard practice among the big industry of the smartphone brands

BittuGoit

Akis

Well, we didn’t know that. Tell us what makes your product famous in the market. If you ask any user, you’ll get the same answer: Clean UI!! No third-party apps! You’re compromising on that. So why should we buy your product? There are many products (which are third-party apps) in the market that offer more features than you! But you know why we bought your product (despite the lack of some features). So, find another way to generate sustainable revenue.

Grynd

I feel betrayed. Betrayed and disappointed.

Flocky

Ani_Vri_007 First of all, Nothing was selling us a ad-free and bloat-free experience, this breaks the trust in the brand really and that’s sad

For your second point, no we don’t need more Nothing apps, because THAT would be bloatware, we already have the Google apps that work fine and adding duplicates is just useless

Darius3a

Wanting to make money is reasonable and better for everyone. However I believe the main issues with the new approach are:

The real deal behind the decision. What your goal with the new ad-supported strategy is? You cannot make money by pre installing ads and having them turned OFF by default. People must see ads so they generate revenue. Therefore we know that this new Lock Screen is just a glimpse but we want to know what’s to come. Perhaps present the strategy more.
Security concerns. What data do the included apps collect and where do they go? A link with long list of terms and conditions won’t cut it and I’d appreciate if you introduced these hand picked and curated ad-providers more clearly.
Fairness for already sold devices. People bought your phones on the premise of clean, ad-free experience. You are introducing ads to those very devices which is contradictory. It would make more sense if this was a plan for future devices I believe so people would know exactly what they are buying.

Ani_Vri_007

BittuGoit

Bro, they are acting like apple by only giving limited features on their smartphone

I think they want to become like apple by becoming a separate entity (a whole new separate type of smartphone) of having nothing OS like apple has iOS

ravindrayadav_FNtedamx3B

Akis actually as a fan we never thought you guys are going to do that also here in India 20k to 30k bloat free os also with cmf brand same thing so it’s very unique for me. Option to remove or full control is ok for me. But need some real Android 16 changes otherwise you I think you can definitely see how other os evolving themselves and Nothing is doing some which is not expected in dreams. Going backwards.😔😔😔

Honey

Guys nothing is gonna happen, they won’t be listening to us and will only try to defend themselves by just talking about revenues and all.

Ani_Vri_007

Darius3a

You literally opened my eyes 🫩 😭 👀 broo

thisiskret

Akis The precedent it sets. This is a bad sign. Please, it isn’t too late to back out, apologize and undo the damage.

Don’t let Nothing evolve into the crab.

CMF1_hacker

Sourav_Satvaya I agree and people think it’s crazy when I say this but using the CMF1 and NP3 is 95+% the same and I enjoy them both the same, due to NOS.

The cameras are the only real difference I see.

Perhaps this will change and that would make me quite sad.

Grigius

If these are apps or services that can be disabled or uninstalled, that’s fine with me.

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