Nothing OS 4.0 Beta on Phone (3a) Series - Lock Glimpse & Future Plans

Akis · 2025-10-24T17:20:00+00:00

![](https://cdn.nothing.community/2025-10-24/1761326648-151450-glimpse.jpg "banner") 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. 1. TikTok - EU , UK and Japan 2. Instagram - All Regions ( except Japan ) 3. 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. 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. Akis

CMF1_hacker

Anonymous994

Thanks. I saw the update afterward but thank you.

I guess I'll have to debloat via ADB sadly, but such is life as companies need to survive.

Anonymous964

I just bought cmf phone 2 pro because of there UI and bloatware free experience but it now copying other os like MIui and running customer experience we paid extra money for ui experience and now this is feels like cheating and now nothing can't even ful fill there promises never goona buy or recommend this phone again and if I know that nothing is going to do this I will rather choose xiaomi device atleast it is providing better features and hardware in better prices 👍🏻

CelestialColosseum

Akis

So not only we'll get the apps, we also get the Meta spyware services running in the background even if we uninstall the apps. You are literally bundling background processes of a 3rd party company into the phones.

This is a turning point, you don't get to choose what runs on your phone anymore, have fun with the spyware, we all know Meta is a really trustworthy company afterall.

I'm dropping Nothing as a brand 100%, i've just bought the 3a Pro and you are shafting us in the name of profit. If i wanted bloatware i could get better hardware along with that from other brands.

Lying and two faced people is what you are, this will be your downfall. Will actively recommend avoiding this brand onwards in the tech forums i write on.

ArjunGadhvi_SbSz2oSN5g

क्या भाई सच में नथिंग os 4.0 में ब्लॉट-वेर प्रस्थापित किए गए है?

अगर सही में ऐसा है तो क्या सारे फोन में आएंगे की CMF के उपकरण में?

और अगर इन ब्लॉट-वेर को हटाने का कोई विकल्प मौजूद हैं?

सुझाव दे कि carl भाई को कैसे संदेश भेजे कि भाई ब्लॉट-वेर एड मत करो।😅

Vishnuv2

Today it is Nothing 3a lite tomorrow it will be some other phone, cmf for example, the reason people brought your brand is these apps-bloatware are not installed even glance, you keep it disabled by default or whatever we DO NOT NEED THESE FEATURES !!! PERIOD.

edvardeishen

Ok, time for installing LineageOS on my Nothing

GreenIcePhoenix

Let me tell you what will happen next.

Over the next six months, consumers will observe quietly, waiting to see how their favorite brand responds. Many loyal users will feel let down, shaking their heads at how things have unfolded. Yet, despite their disappointment, they’ll likely continue purchasing the next device.
Meanwhile, users of other brands already accustomed to bloatware and similar features will begin to consider Nothing as a viable alternative, especially if the performance and feedback remain positive. For them, this shift may feel familiar, not disruptive.
As a result, Nothing’s sales are likely to surge over the next three years. The very features that once drew criticism, bloatware and intrusive additions, will gradually become normalized, even in flagship models.
Fast forward three years: disillusioned users will seek alternatives, only to find that competing brands are either inferior or significantly more expensive. Eventually, a new company will emerge with a fresh, unique offering, and the cycle will repeat.

The takeaway is sobering: brand loyalty often feels like a one-sided commitment. Companies that once stood for transparency and user-first values can reverse course without hesitation. If cost-cutting means abandoning core promises, then the brand has fundamentally failed its users.

It’s disheartening to witness a brand transition from being admired to being criticized.

Final thought:

If Nothing once promised to avoid bloatware and is now introducing it, what’s stopping them from bringing it to their flagship devices next? They claim they won’t but based on recent actions, the odds of that happening seem almost certain.

@Carl @Akis

FabioR 🇩🇪

GreenIcePhoenix

I wouldn't judge too soon brother.

At the end of the day, I don't believe that anyone can predict the future.

But we can shape it together!

Cheers

DarwinGarcia

Why adding bloatware to your phone. Before my choices is pixel and nothing phone. My previous phone is pixel because of heating issue. I chose nothing. If this will the direction, I will go back pixel once this will be implemented.

Tirthpatel04

Akis

Akis If nothing wants to add this bloatware and glimpse ,than add some features like other ui , you have very less ai features, old control centre design, no remapable essential key, very avarage camera . You had only one good thing "clean ui" ,and now it's gone so with below avarage hardware like under powered chip,smaller battery,etc. please nothing get back to track ( take some inspiration from oneplus😉)

Миша

I Why does everyone hate the updates so much? I understand the discontent if Nothing became an advertising cesspool, but that's not the case. Maybe I'm missing something; if you disagree, please explain.

andrejsava

Миша For me its mostly the Meta spyware that will be preinstalled. And b4 you claim you can uninstall or disable it, unless you crack your phone, no you can't. The claim that you can disable it in the settings is a lie. Most of this post is a lie.

Apratim

Akis The downfall of Nothing begins now!

GreenIcePhoenix

FabioR 🇩🇪

Bro I really hope I am wrong. I am an avid fan and want to see Nothing rise to pinnacle. But it doesn't seem likely.

See the history:

Headphone Jack Removal

Apple removed the headphone jack in iPhone 7 (2016). Samsung, Google, and OnePlus mocked this move in ads and launches. Eventually, all of them followed suit.
No Charger in the Box

Apple stopped including chargers with iPhone 12. Samsung mocked this decision on social media. Later, Samsung removed chargers from Galaxy S21 boxes.
Notch Design

Apple introduced the notch with iPhone X. Samsung, Huawei, and others mocked it. Soon after, Google added a notch in Pixel 3 XL, and other Android brands adopted various notch or punch-hole designs.
No Expandable Storage

Apple never supported microSD cards. Samsung used this as a selling point and mocked Apple, but later removed expandable storage in the Galaxy S21 series.
Camera Bump

Apple’s camera bump design was criticized by Android OEMs. Eventually, brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus adopted prominent camera bumps in their flagship models.

There are many more and they don't exactly inspire confidence.

If we don't learn from history, history repeats itself.

andrejsava

Akis I'm sorry but I don't use any of the apps you listed. And having TikTok preinstalled is suspicious as hell.

The amount of lies in this post is staggering. You are an enthusiast brand, you think your users will be too stupid to know that you're lying? This is a very bad look for the company.

I will be keeping my 3a at NOS 3.2 and my next phone will not be a Nothing phone. I do wish you best of luck tho. Maybe one day you will be making enough money so that you won't need to ruin your phones.

FabioR 🇩🇪

GreenIcePhoenix

What I take out of that is, that you shouldn't mock others for their decisions.

But, mockery is great for advertisment, because it provokes emotions. Me personally, I don't hold any grudge against someone who is mocking me. I try to take it with humor.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to enjoy the little things in life.

Cheers

pollenjh

andrejsava This aged very well

Миша

andrejsava Is Meta a spyware program? I didn't know that, but I'll look into it. In any case, I live in Russia and Meta and all its apps are blocked here.

Akis

Akis Update shared above

MayankNotFound

Akis If you are gonna start adding blottware then add Netflix, I want HDR support on netflix.

Dev.

Akis Thanks for considering community feedback. I personally have no problem with pre-installed apps as long as I can completely remove (not disable) the apps from the device. Still haven't received anything from you guys about the lock glimpse's third party adware, which is a bigger issue than pre-installed apps. thank you.

Siemens NX

Akis Starting later this month, you’ll be able to completely remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Services from your device.

Next step: Do not preinstall those and stay true to your no bloatware policy. And also remove Lock Glimpse adware too.

Timeline:

"No bloatware"
"Bloatware but you will be able to remove completely and opt in Lock Glimpse adware"
Phone 3a Lite with unremoveable bloatware services and OPT OUT Lock Glimpse
"Okay okay we will let you remove those services"

In the end we get 6 bloatware apps and Lock Glimpse adware, way further than the initial no bloatware promise. You aren't doing us a favor by letting us uninstall those, we should not even have them in the first place.

bRKN

Siemens NX i dont mind them having to give us reccomendations at start which apps you want to install as we can just skip them. i dont mind as much with the select BLOATWARE apps either, but them adding the LOCK GLIMPSE??? cmon man. That's not why people buy NOTHING PHONES for. that's just bs.

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