Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus Get Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta with Fresh Look and Android 17

Nothing OS 5.0 is moving down the lineup. The Android 17-based update, which debuted in beta on the Phone (3) back in late August, is now opening up to the Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus. The Phone (3) is already receiving the stable version, so this beta is the last step before these popular mid-rangers get the finished software.

The open beta brings a full visual refresh and several new features. But it is still unfinished software, so there are a few things to know before jumping in.

What's New in Nothing OS 5.0

The biggest change is the look of the whole system. Nothing OS 5.0 introduces a new system font, a redesigned Settings menu, a fresh default home screen theme, and new lock screen clock faces. Notifications and Quick Settings now live in separate spaces, and live updates show up in the status bar.

There is also a dedicated Glyph app for the phones' signature lights, and Essential Space gains MCP support for smarter integrations. The full changelog runs much longer, with plenty of smaller refinements and fixes under the hood.

How to Join the Open Beta

Signing up takes just a few minutes. Download the latest Nothing Beta Hub app from Nothing's website and install it, then open Settings, go to System, and enter the Nothing Beta Hub section. Tap Check version, then Join Beta, and the open beta build should arrive as an over-the-air update within a few minutes.

One warning before you tap join: this is beta software, so back up your data first. If you roll back to a stable version through Request Rollback in the same menu, your phone will be wiped.

Update Roadmap

Owners who would rather skip the beta won't have to wait long. The finished version of Nothing OS 5.0 should reach the Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus around mid-November. After that, the Phone (4b) is next in line for the open beta in mid-December, while the Phone (3a) Lite and CMF Phone 2 Pro skip the beta entirely and go straight to the stable release in late December and mid-January.

Not every Nothing phone makes the cut, though. The Phone (1), Phone (2), and CMF Phone 1 have reached the end of major software support, so they will not get Nothing OS 5.0 at all.

Final Thoughts

Nothing is keeping its update machine running at a respectable pace. The (2a) and (2a) Plus were strong mid-range picks when they launched, and moving them onto Android 17-based software keeps them feeling current against newer rivals.

The visual refresh, the Glyph app, and the cleaner notification layout should give owners plenty to explore. Just remember this is a beta. If your phone is your daily driver and you can't afford a few rough edges, waiting for the mid-November stable release is the smarter move.