Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra units are now getting the January 2021 Android security package, and this update brings a number of security enhancements, along with configuration related to fingerprint sensors on both handsets. Samsung notes that the January 2021 patch fixes a bug that allowed fingerprint sensors to work ‘excessively’ and allow false alarms when a screen protector was removed submitted. Several other phones, such as the Galaxy S20 FE series, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9 series, and Galaxy S20 have also started getting the patch.
On their firmware site, Samsung details that the January 2021 patch provides a solution for an issue that identified false fingerprints using the scanner. The issue is defined as “abusive behavior associated with a screen protector leading to a high FRR of fingerprint identification. The patch adds proper image compensation to avoid movement for fingerprint recording with a screen protector. “The issue was reported on October 2020, and is now maintained by the January 2021 update.
SamMobile reports that select Samsung Galaxy Note 20 models have started receiving the January 2021 security package and it is imperative that all users download this update as soon as it hits them. It may take a while, though, as the company may roll it out in stages.
In addition to the Galaxy Note 20, the report also says that Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy Note 10 Lite have also started getting the patch. It could take a week or two for all users to get the global update.
SamMobile also reports that Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9 + have started receiving January 2021 patch in Germany. The firmware version for the Galaxy S9 is G960FXXSDFTL1, but the firmware version for the Galaxy S9 + is G965FXXSDFTL1.
Even Snapdragon models from the Samsung Galaxy S20 series seem to have started getting the latest piece of security. The unlocked variants of the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 +, and Galaxy S20 Ultra are getting the update, and the firmware version is reported to be G98xU1UES1CTL5. It is also reported that Sprint and T-Mobile customers have started getting the latest security update.
If you have any of the above Samsung phones, you can check for the update manually, by logging in Options> Software Update> Download and Install.
Is this the end of the Samsung Galaxy Note series as we know it? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly tech podcast, which you can subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the program, or just hit the play button below.