Samsung March 2023 Security Update – Here’s What’s New
The basis for each month’s security update is the General Android Security Bulletin, created by Google and used by Samsung and all other Android device manufacturers. The March 1, 2023 Android Security Bulletin contains fixes for 26 issues, including two marked with “Critical” severity, as well as the fixes from last month’s February 5, 2023 bulletin.
From there, Samsung adds fixes for issues specific to Galaxy phones. This month there are 23 such problems, including at least two of “high” difficulty. One such issue within the Galaxy Themes Service allowed access to protected files on a device.
When installing the March 2023 update, your Galaxy phone will also offer a brief description of what’s changed in the update, which may vary slightly from device to device.
- The general stability of functions improved.
- The security of your device has been improved.
Update: For owners of Galaxy devices powered by Exynos chips, the March 2023 security update is particularly crucial. Google’s Project Zero reported a major flaw in Exynos modems that allows attackers to run malicious code on your device if you have Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE enabled.
Samsung has since shared that the March 2023 update fixes many of the issues (though perhaps not all of them). If you own a Samsung Galaxy device with an Exynos chip, be sure to install the March update as soon as possible. In the meantime, if your device is not listed below, we recommend disabling Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE to stay safe.
We can also see more devices getting bumped up to One UI 5.1 with this month’s patch, with most premium devices getting the new OS with the February update.
Devices with the Samsung March 2023 Security Update
While there is no fixed order in which Samsung updates its devices, you can usually see which phones are prioritized over others. Usually, a new month’s update comes to the flagship Galaxy S and Galaxy Z phones first, usually in order of release, with newer devices getting faster patches. From there, things typically move on to the Galaxy Note series (now discontinued), the affordable Galaxy A/M/F series, and the Galaxy Tab series.
Again, however, this is only a loose timeline and there have been cases where the Galaxy A series is updated significantly faster than flagship models. The best way to be sure is to check for your device in our lists below.
This list will include a note about where the update first debuted and if it’s also available in the US. As usual, the latest additions will be marked in highlighted.
Galaxy S series
For years, the Samsung Galaxy S series has been the essential choice for anyone looking for a flagship Android phone. Between its higher cost and incredible popularity, Samsung tends to roll out updates to the Galaxy S series much faster than its other devices.
As if deliberately following its ideal sequence, Samsung rolled out updates to its four latest generations of Galaxy S phones on March 7, the same day Google formally outlined the March 2023 security bulletin. First up was the Galaxy S23 series, which was released earlier this year and led the pack for the March update.
Minutes later, similar patches arrived for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series as well as the Galaxy S21 series. The Galaxy S20 trio was then patched a few hours later. For now, these updates are only available outside the US, but that should change in the coming days.
Next, on March 13, the company rolled out the patch to the Galaxy S10 lineup, with that particular lineup now only scheduled to receive quarterly updates.
- Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra – S91xBXXS1AWBM (Released first in Germany)
- Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra – S90xBXXU3CWBE (Released first in Germany)
- U.S: Available on locked and unlocked devices
- Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra – G99xBXXS6EWBB (Released first in Switzerland)
- U.S: Available on unlocked devices.
- Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra – G98xFXXSFHWB1 (released first in Switzerland)
- U.S: Available on unlocked devices.
- Galaxy S10 / S10+ / S10e – G97xFXXSGHWC1 (Published first in Bulgaria)
Galaxy Z Flip/Fold series
Samsung’s new “flagship” experiences, the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold lines of foldable phones, are an incredible showcase for mobile technology. Given their premium price tags, it’s no surprise that Samsung updates these devices almost as quickly as the Galaxy S series.
To kick things off for foldables, Samsung rolled out simultaneous updates for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 on March 16. The previous generation of foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3, were only a day behind on March 17.
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 – F936BXXS2CWB5 (First released in Australia)
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 – F926BXXS3EWB5 (released almost worldwide)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices
- Galaxy Z Flip 4 – F721BXXS2CWB5 (released almost worldwide)
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 – F711BXXS4EWB5 (released almost worldwide)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices
Galaxy Note series
While the Galaxy Note line of phones has formally ended, the spirit of those devices lives on as Samsung brings the S Pen accessory to more phones and tablets. The Galaxy Note phones themselves also live on, and Samsung continues to support those who own the premium, stylus-equipped Androids.
The last Galaxy Note devices still getting monthly updates, the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, were both patched on March 15. Since the previous generation Galaxy Note 10 is now scheduled for quarterly updates and was last patched in January, we probably won I see no other updates for this series this month.
- Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra – N98xU1UES3HWB7 (First released in USA)
- US: Available on locked and unlocked devices
Galaxy A/M/F series
In addition to the company’s portfolio of premium devices, Samsung is also a prolific producer of both mid-range and affordable Android phones across the Galaxy A, M, and F series. Despite not having the same retail prices as a flagship phone, Samsung still makes an effort to keep its less premium phones up to date.
Among Samsung’s affordable devices, so far only the Galaxy A53 has received the latest software update. Hopefully we’ll see more phones join in on the fun in the coming weeks.
- Galaxy A53 – A536BXXS5CWB6 (released first in Europe)
- US: Available on carrier-locked devices
How to check for the latest OTA on your Galaxy device
If your Samsung device has already been updated but the March patch has not reached you personally, you can try to update manually. Simply open the Settings app, tap “Software Update” and select “Download and Install.”
This article was first published on March 9 and last updated on March 17.
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