Samsung has begun rolling out a new software update for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Bringing the January 2026 security patch, this release potentially marks the end of the road for the flagship trio originally launched back in 2021.

When the Galaxy S21 series debuted in January 2021, Samsung committed to three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. According to that original roadmap, the five-year support window officially closes this month.

What’s in the update? The latest firmware, identified by version number G99xNKSSCHZA5, addresses 55 vulnerabilities across both the Android system and Samsung’s own components. The rollout has currently kicked off in South Korea, with expansion to global markets expected in the coming days.

Owners can check for the update manually by navigating to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.

Looking Ahead With the cessation of regular software support, the Galaxy S21 series will no longer receive scheduled security patches, leaving devices more exposed to emerging threats over time. However, it is worth noting that Samsung has historically pushed occasional emergency patches for critical security flaws even after official support ends.

For users considering an upgrade, the landscape has changed significantly since 2021. Samsung’s latest offerings, including the upcoming Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S25, and foldables like the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, now boast an impressive seven years of OS and security support.