Android smartphones usually receive a new update directly from Google once a month. These Google Play system updates affect all manufacturers and often contain new features or improvements, but they do not always arrive on devices at the same time.
In the case of Samsung, there was a particularly curious case this month: according to the GalaxyClub website, newer Samsung Galaxy models such as the S25 or the Z Fold 7 did not receive an update. However, older models such as the Galaxy S10, S20 and S21 did.
However, both the Galaxy S10 and S20 should no longer be receiving any updates. Support for the S10 ended in April 2023, while the S20 officially ended its update cycle last year.
There has been no official explanation for this, either from Samsung or Google. The question of when Samsung’s newer smartphones will receive the update also remains unanswered.
Not the latest update
It is also important to note that the Google Play system update described here is not the January patch that Google released on 12 January. Rather, it is an update from November that had not yet been made available to Samsung users.
Foundry
According to Samsung (via Heise Online), the Google Play updates had to be paused for a certain period of time because there could be problems with Samsung devices. The updates have been resumed this month, but not all updates are being offered at once. Instead, Samsung is starting with the Google Play update from November (version 25.45, from 17 November 2025).
The December update should follow next, before finally the current patch from January, provided no further problems are found. Security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect devices from attacks are not affected by the update pause.
You can easily check your current version by going to Settings on your device and navigating to Security & Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update. Then select Check for Updates.
Looking for a new Samsung handset? Check out our guide to the best Galaxy phones you can buy right now.