Samsung has been rolling out its latest security update, the May 2023 patch, to its many phones and tablets at quite a rapid pace – here’s the full list of Galaxy devices with the update.
Samsung May 2023 security update – here’s what’s new
Before Samsung adds its own fixes and improvements, the core foundation of each month’s update is the broader Android security update provided by Google. According to Samsung’s published details, between the May 1, 2023, and April 5, 2023 bulletins, there are fixes for four “Critical” severity issues and 78 issues of “High” severity.
Beyond that, the update also includes security fixes for Samsung-specific issues. For instance, two “Critical” issues in Samsung’s mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) allowed “local attackers to execute arbitrary code.” There are also eight issues of “High” severity and eight more listed as “Moderate,” though Samsung notes that not all issues are currently able to be disclosed.
Table of contents
- Samsung May 2023 security update – here’s what’s new
- Galaxy S series
- Galaxy Z Flip/Fold series
- Galaxy Note series
- Galaxy A/M/F series
- Galaxy Tab series
- How to check for the latest OTA on your Galaxy device
Devices with the Samsung May 2023 security update
Each month, Samsung often has a tendency to update its devices in an order that favors its newest and most expensive releases, meaning the latest Galaxy Z Fold will often get patched weeks before last year’s Galaxy A series phones. However, this month, Samsung seems to have followed no strict order, releasing patches for high-end and mid-range devices alike nearly simultaneously.
The best way to know for sure if your current device should have an update available is to check for it in the lists below.
Each list will include a note on where the update first debuted and if it is also available in the United States. As usual, the latest additions will be marked inbold.
Galaxy S series
Each year, the Galaxy S series represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s vision for smartphones, especially if you opt for an Ultra model. Between the devices’ immense popularity and premium price tag, it’s no surprise that Samsung often offers updates to the Galaxy S series phones ahead of most other hardware.
While the Galaxy S23 was, surprisingly, not the first device to pick up the May 2023 patch – that honor goes to the Galaxy A10e, oddly enough – Samsung’s latest flagship was in second place, getting updated on May 2. Last year’s Galaxy S22 wasn’t far behind, with Snapdragon variants picking up the patch on May 5.
Skipping a generation, the Galaxy S20 series (including 5G variants) was next in line, as Samsung rolled the update out to those in Latin America starting May 9. Patches for the premium-yet-affordable “Fan Edition” phones, Galaxy S20 FE and Galaxy S21 FE, arrived the next day. Closing out the Galaxy S series devices that still receive monthly updates, the Galaxy S21 generation picked up this month’s patch on May 11.
- Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra – S91xBXXS1AWD1 (Released first in Europe)
- US: Available on carrier-locked devices.
- Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra – S90xEXXS4CWD5 (Released first in Brazil)
- US: Available on unlocked devices.
- Galaxy S21 FE – G990EXXS5EWD4 (Released first in Brazil)
- Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra – G99xBXXU7EWE1 (Released first in Bulgaria)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy S20 FE – G780GXXU4EWD2 (Released first in Russia)
- Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra – G98xFXXSGHWD4 (Released first in Argentina)
Galaxy Z Flip/Fold series
Things are heating up in the foldables space, between the newly announced Google Pixel Fold and rumors about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. In the meantime, Samsung is continuing to take exceptional care of its customers, keeping their devices up-to-date and safe from security exploits.
The company kicked off its efforts on May 5, patching the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Z Flip 3. A few days later, on May 8, Samsung rapidly rolled out patches for another two generations of phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and 4 and Z Fold 3 and 4. Next, on May 16, the company released the same patch to the Galaxy Z Flip 5G.
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 – F936U1UES2CWD7 (Released first in the US)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 – F926U1UES3FWD7 (Released first in the US)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 – F916BXXS2JWE1 (Released first in Colombia)
- Galaxy Z Flip 4 – F721U1UES2CWD7 (Released first in the US)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 – F711BXXS4EWD9 (Released first in Colombia)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy Z Flip 5G – F707USQS4HWE1 (Released first in the US)
- US: Available on carrier-locked devices.
Galaxy Note series
In recent years, Samsung has shifted away from making the Galaxy Note series, its ultra-premium stylus-equipped smartphones. More Galaxy phones have adopted the series’ signature S Pen support – including a siloed stylus in the Galaxy S23 Ultra – while foldables are now Samsung’s ultra-premium offerings. That said, some Galaxy Note phones are still receiving regular updates, as promised at launch.
While the Galaxy Note 10 series is no longer slated for monthly updates, the phone received its scheduled quarterly update on May 8. We’re also expecting the Galaxy Note 20 series to get patched later this month, though this hasn’t happened yet.
- Galaxy Note 10 / Note 10+ – N97xNKSU2HWD2 (Released first in South Korea)
Galaxy A/M/F series
In addition to its premium-quality Android phones, Samsung also offers numerous affordable and mid-range devices in its Galaxy A, M, and F series. While these phones don’t always get the same pace of updates as their flagship cousins (quarterly vs monthly), Samsung does consistently roll out timely patches for these affordable phones.
Oddly enough, the first phone to get the May 2023 security patch was the Galaxy A10e, which was updated on April 24, before the new month even began. Once the month of May actually got underway, the updates became even more rapid, starting with the Galaxy A23 on May 3. The 5G variant of that phone wasn’t updated until May 9.
On May 5, Samsung released an update for the Galaxy A33 5G which, depending on where you live, either brings this month’s security patch or last month’s. That same day also brought updates for the Galaxy A52 and Galaxy M53. Meanwhile, the higher-end Galaxy A73 from last year got patched on May 10, with its sibling, the Galaxy A53, getting updated a day later.
Down at the most barebones end of Samsung’s phones, the Galaxy A13 picked up this month’s patch on May 11. The Galaxy A52s 5G was next up, on May 15. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A54 saw its update on May 16, followed by the Galaxy A22 5G on May 17.
- Galaxy A73 – A736BXXS3CWE1 (Released first in Brazil)
- Galaxy A54 – A546EXXU2AWDB (Released nearly globally)
- Galaxy A53 5G – A536EXXS5CWE1 (Released first in Argentina)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy A52s 5G – A528BXXS3EWD5 (Released first in Mexico)
- Galaxy A52 5G – A526BXXS3EWD8 (Released first in Europe)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy A33 5G – A336MUBS4CWD4 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy A23 5G – A236BXXS3CWD4 (Released first in Croatia)
- Galaxy A23 – A235FXXS2CWD1 (Released first in Ukraine)
- Galaxy A22 5G – A226BRUBS5DWE1 (Released first in Latin America)
- Galaxy A13 – A135U1UES3BWD2 (Released first in Latin America)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices.
- Galaxy A10e – A102NKOS3CWD1 (Released first in Korea)
- Galaxy M53 – M536BXXS2CWD1 (Released first in Bolivia)
Galaxy Tab series
In addition to being one of the most prolific Android phone makers, Samsung also provides the absolute best Android tablet experience on the market today. Unlike smartphones, however, Samsung generally only updates its tablets on a quarterly basis (before eventually dropping down to slower schedules), meaning each update is often more noticeable and impactful.
As you might expect, Samsung started this wave of tablet updates with its newest models, the Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra, on May 4. Continuing to the next generation, the Galaxy Tab S7 series got its own patch on May 11, while the “Fan Edition” model was a few days behind. That same day, Samsung also updated its affordable Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.
- Galaxy Tab S8 / S8+ / S8 Ultra – Xx06BXXU4BWD8 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy Tab S7 FE – T733XXS3CWD1 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy Tab S7 / S7+ – Tx76BXXU3DWD3 (Released first in Europe)
- Galaxy Tab S6 Lite – P615NKOS5FWD2 (Released first in South Korea)
How to check for the latest OTA on your Galaxy device
If your Samsung device is slated to have been updated already, but the May patch hasn’t arrived for you personally, you can try updating manually. Simply open the Settings app, tap “Software update,” and choose “Download and install.”
This article was first published on May 17 and most recently updated on May 17.
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FAQs
Is it safe to update Samsung phone 2023? ›
Samsung has since shared that the March 2023 update fixes many of the issues (though perhaps not all of them). If you own a Samsung Galaxy device with an Exynos chip, be sure to install the March update as soon as possible.
What is the latest Samsung update called? ›One UI 5 is the latest update for Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets.
Should I update my Samsung Galaxy? ›Samsung periodically releases software updates. Software updates bring new features and more security to your device. Samsung recommends keeping your device software up to date and back up any important data before updating the software.
What Samsung phones no longer get updates? ›Highlights. Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e are no longer eligible for Android security updates. The three phones have reached the End of Life as they were launched four years back.
When should I replace my Samsung phone? ›Upgrading Your Phone Every Three Years
So, three years is enough time to consider upgrading your phone, but that's only so if you know that you'll actually benefit from a new phone and its features. If your current phone works fine after three years, you can just get its battery replaced to extend its life.
The May 2023 security patch includes fixes for 72 security flaws found in Samsung smartphones and tablets. Six of those fixes (4 in all Android phones and 2 in Samsung phones) solve critical vulnerabilities, while 56 of those security fixes are termed High.
How long do Samsung phones last? ›Samsung phones have an average lifespan of 3-6 years. Because Samsung devices are highly durable, they can last you for more than five years if you're careful with them or get them repaired as soon as they need minor repairs.
What is the latest Android version 2023? ›The Android 14 Preview program runs from February 2023 until the final public release to AOSP and OEMs, planned for later in the year.
What is the latest Android version for Samsung Galaxy? ›Android 12 is the twelfth major release and 19th version of Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. The first beta was released on May 18, 2021.
Do all Samsung phones get 4 years of updates? ›While Samsung has committed to four years of Android updates for all upcoming Galaxy S flagships and the Galaxy Z series foldable lineup, it will only update select phones from its budget and midrange Galaxy A series lineup.
Do I really need to update my phone? ›
Phone software updates are essential for numerous reasons. They improve the phone's functionality and make it much more efficient. Updated phones do not usually experience compatibility issues with the latest software either, so you can download or use the latest versions of any application you like with ease.
Will Samsung software update delete my data? ›The software updates are generally not designed to remove data from a smartphone when they update.
What is the oldest Samsung phone that is still supported? ›The oldest Galaxy phones that still receive monthly updates are 2019's Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Note10, and early 2020's Galaxy S10 Lite.
What phones don't get updates anymore? ›- iPhone 8 (Plus)
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
- iPhone 6(S) and 6(S) Plus.
- iPhone 5, 5S, and 5C.
- iPhone 4 and 4S.
- Older models.
Samsung will familiarize itself with the new Fuchsia OS early on, and this early start could be the company's key to maintaining its leadership in the new era. The transition will take time, though, so don't expect Android OS to be going away anytime soon.
What is the latest Android update 2023? ›The Android 14 Preview program runs from February 2023 until the final public release to AOSP and OEMs, planned for later in the year.
What is the Samsung security update April 2023? ›For Samsung phones, the April update includes a total of 66 fixes for security flaws, which includes the original 55 listed by Google. One of the fixes resolves a flaw in Exynos chips and Exynos modems that are found in global variants of many Galaxy phones.
Is Samsung working on a new phone for 2023? ›Introducing Samsung Galaxy S23, The Latest Samsung Phone 2023. The flagship Samsung Galaxy S23 series breaks the rules of technology and innovation with a fresh new look, both inside and out.
Is it safe to use an outdated Android phone? ›Though the hardware itself is often fine to keep using, particularly if you don't crave the best cameras or fastest processors, the lack of security support means that older phones could be far less safe. If you're concerned about security and privacy -- and you should be -- here are some things to consider.