Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta Based on Android 17 Expands to More Devices: How to Join and List of Eligible Phones

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-Carlsen Martin

Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 18:05 [IST]

Nothing has expanded the Nothing OS 5.0 open beta programme to more smartphones, giving owners of several recent Nothing devices an early opportunity to test the company’s Android 17-based software ahead of the stable rollout.

The beta programme initially started with the Nothing Phone (3) in August, followed by the Phone (4a) Pro. The latest expansion brings the Phone (4a), Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro into the programme, while Nothing has also outlined the expected rollout schedule for other devices.

Nothing OS 5.0 Beta: Eligible Phones

According to Nothing’s rollout schedule, the following devices are eligible for the Nothing OS 5.0 beta or are scheduled to receive it:

• Nothing Phone (3) – Open Beta: August 26 | Stable: Mid-October
• Nothing Phone (4a) Pro – Open Beta: Early September | Stable: Early November
• Nothing Phone (4a) – Open Beta: Late September | Stable: Early November
• Nothing Phone (3a) Pro – Open Beta: Late September | Stable: Early November
• Nothing Phone (3a) – Open Beta: Late September | Stable: Early November
• Nothing Phone (2a) – Open Beta: Mid-October | Stable: Mid-November
• Nothing Phone (2a) Plus – Open Beta: Mid-October | Stable: Mid-November
• Nothing Phone (3a) Lite – No open beta listed | Stable: Late December
• Nothing Phone (4b) – Open Beta: Mid-December | Stable: Mid-January
• CMF Phone 2 Pro – No open beta listed | Stable: Mid-January

Nothing says the timelines are indicative and that rollout timing may vary by region and carrier.

How to Join the Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta

If your phone is eligible and you want to test Nothing OS 5.0 before the stable release, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install the latest Nothing Beta Hub APK on your eligible smartphone.

Step 2: Open the Settings app on your phone.

Step 3: Scroll down and select System.

Step 4: Tap Nothing Beta Hub.

Step 5: Select Check version to see whether the beta is available for your device.

Step 6: If your device is eligible, tap Join Beta and complete the registration process.

Step 7: Once registration is completed, the Nothing OS 5.0 beta should arrive as an over-the-air (OTA) update. Download and install the update when prompted.

Before installing the beta, users should back up important data. As unfinished software, the Nothing OS 5.0 beta may contain bugs, app compatibility problems, battery inconsistencies or other issues.

Nothing OS 5.0 Stable Rollout Timeline

The Nothing Phone (3) is scheduled to receive the stable update first in mid-October. The Phone (4a), Phone (4a) Pro, Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are expected to follow in early November.

The Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus are scheduled for mid-November, while the Phone (3a) Lite is listed for late December. The Phone (4b) and CMF Phone 2 Pro are expected to receive the stable update in mid-January.

Since Nothing is using a phased rollout, the actual availability can vary depending on the device, region and software channel. Users who rely on their phone for banking, payments or work may want to wait for the stable release rather than installing the beta.