Nothing OS 5.0 beta expands to the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus
Nothing OS 5.0’s Android 17-based open beta is now available for the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus, ahead of a planned stable release in mid-November.
Nothing OS 5.0’s open beta is expanding to the Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus. The update is based on Android 17, and the two phones join the newer Nothing models already taking part in the company’s testing programme. 1
Nothing’s official OS 5.0 page presents the release as a visual and usability refresh. It introduces a new typeface, redesigned icons and layouts, wallpaper-aware colours, tinted app icons, transparent widgets and new lock-screen clock faces. The company also highlights separate Notifications and Quick Settings, more control over the Glyph interface and new tools inside Essential Space. 1
For owners of the two eligible phones, the beta is installed through Nothing’s Beta Hub app. Nothing’s instructions say to download the latest app from its website, then open Settings, choose System and Nothing Beta Hub, tap Check version and join the beta. The update should then arrive over the air. 2
This is unfinished software, so Nothing recommends backing up a phone before installation. Rolling back to a stable release erases the phone’s data, making the beta a poor fit for anyone who cannot tolerate testing issues. The company’s rollout information also puts the stable release for the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus in mid-November. 1
Nothing OS 5.0 includes wider Android 17 changes alongside Nothing’s own interface work, including refreshed privacy controls, improved screen recording and a redesigned Recents view. The exact feature mix can change while the beta is being refined, and Nothing warns that some visual features remain in development.
Our opinion
Expanding the beta to the Phone (2a) range makes sense: these are still recent devices, but owners get a meaningful preview without the update being presented as finished software. The visual changes look more substantial than a routine security patch, although the data-wiping rollback is a reminder that this is a test programme, not a free upgrade everyone should install immediately. If your Phone (2a) is mission-critical, waiting for the mid-November stable release is the calmer option.
The story is sourced from Nothing’s official product page and GSMArena’s report, with official Nothing campaign artwork used as the hero.