Samsung Galaxy A40 starts receiving Android 11 based One UI 3.1 Update

Are you using a Galaxy phone? You are lucky as Samsung is releasing the latest Android 11 updates and there’s no stopping. After releasing the stable Android 11 update to a series of Galaxy phones, the update is now available for Galaxy A40. For the past couple of weeks Samsung is rolling out the latest Android 11 update with One UI 3.1 and Galaxy A40 will also get the same One UI 3.1 update.

This article was originally published on March 22nd.

Galaxy A40 is among some popular budget phones from 2019 and it was released with Android 9 Pie out of the box. Later the phone received Android 10 based One UI 2.0 update. And so, this will be the third major update for the device which will allow users to experience the latest features on their Galaxy A40.

The Android 11 based One UI 3.1 update is available for Galaxy A40 with firmware version A405FxxxU3CUC2 for model number SM-A405FN. And looking at recent Android 11 updates from Samsung this update will most likely bring the latest March 2021 security patch on Galaxy A40.

The latest Android 11 update comes with a bunch of new features along with bug fixes and performance improvements. If you have Galaxy A40 then you will be receiving Android 11 and One UI 3.1 features with this update. As of now, we don’t have the complete changelog, but we are guessing it will have similar features as Galaxy A50 Android 11 update. Some of these features include chat bubbles, improved notification controls, support for Google home controls, enhanced privacy settings, camera improvements, and more.

Galaxy A40 Android 11 update is currently available in Germany and Russia. But we know Samsung that they don’t delay updates so we can expect the update to be available in the remaining regions soon.

If the Android 11 update is available in your region, then you can expect the update over the air. But in case if you did not receive the notification, then you can manually check for the update by going to Settings > Software Update. You will see the latest update, where you need to click on Download & Install button to get the update.

But in case you didn’t get the update on your phone even when it is available for your regions. Well, in that case, you can always choose the manual upgrade option with Firmware. You can download Galaxy A40 Firmware from Samsung Firmware Downloader, Frija tool, SamFirm tool, or SamMobile website. If you are using one of the tools then enter your model and country code and download the firmware. Once downloaded, you can flash the firmware using the Odin Tool. I recommend you take a backup prior to diving into the process. That’s it.

May 14th – One UI 3.1 now available for Galaxy A40s

Samsung now starts pushing the Android 11 based One UI 3.1 update for the Galaxy A40s. The update hits the Galaxy A40s in China with A3050ZCU4CUE1 build number. The latest build comes with April 2021 monthly security patch along with a bunch of new features.

Here you can check the complete changelog before sideloading the update.

Visual Design

We’ve refreshed the look and feel of One UI Core 3.1 in lots of ways, big and small, from new, more consistent icons to smarter organization of the quick panel and notifications. Motion is smoother and more natural than ever, with improved animations and haptic feedback for common interactions. And the interface responds to different screen sizes to provide the best experience on any device, whether it’s a phone, foldable, or tablet.

Improved Performance

We optimized One UI Core 3.1 with enhanced dynamic memory allocation, so apps run faster and perform better. We’ve also restricted background activities to provide better performance and power usage.

Better customization

New image categories have been added to Dynamic Lock screen, and you can select up to 5 categories at once.
On the Lock screen, you can add a widget to check your usage time.
Get an interactive preview when setting a wallpaper.
Add a call background to see a picture or video when you make or receive a call.
In Samsung Internet, you can reorder and lock tabs.
New icons and Lock screen widgets make it easier to find and control your routines.
Use Digital Wellbeing with separate personal and work profiles.

Enhanced features

Home screen and Lock screen

Add widgets by touching and holding an app on the Home screen.
Turn off the screen by double tapping on an empty space on the Home or Lock screen. (Set it up in Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures.)
On the Lock screen, tap the clock area to see widgets like calendar, weather, and music.

Calls and chats

See conversations separately in the notification panel. Works with Messages and your favorite chat apps.
Easily remove duplicate contacts stored in the same account in Contacts. The storage period for deleted contacts has been extended from 15 days to 30 days.
Added the ability to edit multiple linked contacts from a single screen.
Added Trash in Messages so that recently deleted messages are stored for 30 days.

Pictures and videos

Take pictures quicker with improved auto focus and auto exposure.
View, edit, and share pictures and videos more easily from Gallery.
Find pictures and videos quicker with new search features and categories in Gallery.
Revert edited pictures to their original versions at any time, even after they’re saved, so you never lose a shot.

Settings

Settings has a new simpler look and feel. Your Samsung account is shown at the top, and Home screen settings are now easier to access.
Find the settings you need more easily with new Search features. You’ll get better results for synonyms and common misspellings, and you can tap on tags to see groups of related settings.
Quick settings buttons have been reduced to provide only the most commonly used features. You can also add buttons to create your own customized quick panel.

Samsung Keyboard

Made it easier to paste copied images and verification codes from text messages.
Added emoji and sticker suggestions when you enter a text-based emoticon.
Improved the keyboard layout to provide a larger space bar when entering web and email addresses.
Reorganized Keyboard settings so it’s easier to access frequently used settings.

Productivity

Maintain a healthy balance between work and life by minimizing repetitive and complicated tasks and handling them efficiently.

New routines will be recommended based on your daily life and usage patterns.
In Internet, you can hide the status and navigation bars for a more immersive experience and quickly translate webpages.
You’ll be prompted to block websites that send too many pop-ups or notifications.
You can browse and select cloud drive files from the file selection screen in My Files.
You can now delete cache files in My Files to easily free up storage space.
Events with the same start time are displayed together in the month and list views in Calendar.

Identify and improve your daily habits

Improved Digital Wellbeing features make it easy to check how you’re using your phone or tablet and help you form good digital habits. Check your usage while driving or see weekly changes in your screen time by function at a glance through upgraded weekly reports.

Accessibility for everyone

One UI Core 3 recommends useful accessibility features for you based on your usage. The improved Accessibility shortcut makes accessibility features easier to start and use. You can use the Speak keyboard input aloud feature to get voice feedback of your typing even when TalkBack is turned off.

Stronger privacy protection

You can now let an app access to your microphone, camera, or location just one time. Any permissions that an app hasn’t used in a while will be automatically revoked. You can no longer give apps permission to always see your location in the regular permission popup. To let apps access your location when they’re not in use, you need to go to the location permission page for the app in Settings.

Display

Eye comfort shield function has been added.
The color temperature of the screen automatically adjusts for the time of day.

Buds Auto Switching

Support Buds auto switching between Galaxy phone and tablet.

Share Photo

It is now possible to protect your privacy by deleting the location information of previously taken photos before sharing or posting them on social media.

Social Platform

Synchronize valid links created on devices with the same registered Samsung account.
The use of social media services has been simplified. It is possible to share profiles, photos, notes, schedules, and more with friends simply by logging in to your Samsung account.

Additional Improvements

In Clock, you can hear the time and preset name of the alarm read aloud when an alarm rings.

Some apps will need to be updated separately after the One UI 3 update.
App copies made using Dual messenger can no longer access SD card files directly. To share SD card files in an app copy, select the files in Gallery or My Files, tap Share, then select the app copy.
You can no longer use WLAN Direct to send files to other devices. You can use Quick Share instead. You can still receive files using WLAN Direct.

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