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Samsung has released the April 2022 Android security patch to the Galaxy S21 series in the US. The three 2021 models — Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra — as well as the fairly new Galaxy S21 FE, are now receiving the latest security update stateside.
For the former three, the new SMR (security maintenance release) is currently available to unlocked models only. The OTA (over the air) package has already hit units on AT&T and Xfinity Mobile’s networks, SamMobile confirmed. The rollout should soon reach more carriers. The updated firmware version for the unlocked Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra in the US is G99*U1UES5CVCB. Users of carrier-locked models can also expect to receive the April security patch within a few days.
The Galaxy S21 FE, on the other hand, is receiving the latest SMR on carrier-locked variants. As of this writing, users on Comcast’s network have received this update. Other carrier variants, as well as unlocked models, should also join the party soon. The new firmware version for the newest fan Edition Galaxy is G990USQS3CVC4.
April update reaches Galaxy S21 in the US
As has been the trend for over a year now, Samsung was the first OEM to release this month’s Android security patch. The Galaxy S22 series picked up the update last week before the Galaxy S21 series joined the party. Today, the rollout for the latter has reached the US market too.
Samsung earlier this week published its updated security bulletin for April 2022. The company says the new SMR contains fixes for more than six dozen vulnerabilities. Among those is the Dirty Pipe vulnerability that allowed attackers to remotely take control of your device by gaining root access. The Galaxy S21 series wasn’t affected by this vulnerability but the Galaxy S22 was.
Apart from that, Samsung patched three “Critical” vulnerabilities that allowed remote code execution. All of these security fixes are now rolling out to the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 phones in several parts of the world. You can expect more Galaxy smartphones and tablets to pick it up in the coming days and weeks.
If you’re a Samsung Galaxy user, you can check for software updates by navigating to Settings > Software update and tapping on Download and install on your phone. If there’s no update available, check back again after a few days. Your phone should also notify you of an update if you have auto-updates turned on.