Samsung Galaxy November Update: Critical Security Patch, Eligible Devices, and What Users Must Do Now
Smartphone
Is your Samsung Galaxy smartphone on the list for the latest critical security update? If not, it may be time to consider an upgrade. With a surge in Android security threats, using a device that has dropped off official support puts you at serious risk.
Millions of Android Phones No Longer Receive Security Updates
More than one billion Android devices globally no longer receive monthly security patches. Many phones still on the market only get updates every three months, which leaves them vulnerable to newly discovered exploits. For true protection, monthly security updates are essential.
Samsung’s November Update: A Critical Patch With Dozens of Fixes
Samsung has started rolling out its November 2025 security update, and it’s a significant one. According to SammyFans, the Galaxy S23 series has now joined the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 in receiving the patch.
Samsung revealed that the November update includes 45 security improvements, combining both Google patches and Samsung-specific fixes. For the Galaxy S23, users will receive 34 patches, while 11 Exynos-related fixes are excluded for this model.
Users Frustrated Over Lack of Seamless Updates
Samsung fans continue to express frustration over the company’s update system. SamMobile’s Abhijeet Mishra pointed out that seamless background updates only became standard with the Galaxy S25 series.
This leaves hundreds of millions of Samsung owners in an outdated update flow — every patch requires:
- Stopping their work
- Rebooting the phone
- Waiting for the install to complete
It’s not catastrophic, but compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and other modern devices, it feels like a step backward.
How to Install the Update Manually
If you haven’t updated your Samsung device yet, follow these steps:
Settings → Software Update → Download and Install
It’s critical to stay updated, especially with increasing global Android vulnerabilities.
Samsung’s Busy Month: One UI 8, One UI 8.5 Beta, and More
Samsung is running behind schedule with its November rollout, but it’s also entering a packed update timeline.
According to SammyFans:
- Multiple Galaxy phones and tablets received One UI 8-based updates
- Galaxy smartwatches received new One UI Watch updates
- December is expected to be even busier
Rumors claim that the One UI 8.5 Beta Program will begin soon, with the first wave expected to launch for Galaxy S25 users on December 8.
Samsung Under Pressure As Apple Set to Overtake Global Shipments
Samsung’s software update delays come as Apple is projected to surpass Samsung in global smartphone shipments for the first time in 14 years — and remain ahead through 2029, according to Counterpoint Research.
Samsung also faces additional competition as Google intensifies its push for Pixel, the only Android phone where the manufacturer controls both hardware and software — similar to Apple’s iPhone strategy.
This leaves Samsung in a challenging position, relying on Google’s Android ecosystem while competing against Apple’s tightly integrated iOS environment and Google’s growing Pixel lineup.