How to get Nothing OS 2.5 beta with Android 14 on the Nothing Phone (1)

With the Nothing Phone (2) getting its stable Android 14 update last week, it was time the brand set its sights on its older device, the Nothing Phone (1). While Phone (1) users still have no access to the stable version of the update, they can now grab a beta version of Android 14, which also brings Nothing OS 2.5 to the device. Here’s how to install it in on your phone.

Note that like any beta software, Nothing OS 2.5 for the Phone (1) may be full of bugs, and may also require you to reset your device, and in the process, lose all the data on the device. For those who don’t want to mess with these elements, we recommend waiting for the stable update.

How to get Nothing OS 2.5 beta on the Nothing Phone (1)

Begin by ensuring that your Phone (1) has ample battery life and is updated to the latest stable software available in your region. Next, proceed to this Nothing Community page and download the APK file listed there. This APK file should install like any other APK, and allow you access to download beta software on the phone.

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Once installed, head to Settings > System > Update to Beta version. Now, users will be able to check for a new beta update, and the new Nothing OS 2.5 update should show up right away. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update. Restart your phone and you should be on Nothing OS 2.5 with Android 14.

Nothing OS 2.5: What’s new?

Nothing OS 2.5 comes with a visual revamp of many signature Nothing OS elements. For customisation, users now get a new joint customisation page for the home screen and lock screen. A new Atmosphere wallpaper effect is also included, and a new monochrome colour theme is now a part of the basic colour section.

Users can now also double-tap the power button to quickly access an app or action, while screenshots can finally be taken with a three-finger swipe. Screenshots also get a new editor menu, allowing better editing and quicker deletion.

ALSO READ: The next Nothing Phone could be a mid-range smartphone again

Nothing OS 2.5 also brings new widgets, including a Pedometer widget, Media Player Widget, and Screen Time Widget, although these will also require users to manually update the Nothing Launcher from the Play Store.

Other changes include a new Glyph animation for NFC usage, improved Flip-to-Glyph, a new back gesture arrow and other optimisations. While all these features and changes are still in beta, users on the stable channel can expect the update to arrive in the next few weeks, after any bugs are ironed out.