According to SamMobile, most Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets haven’t received a Google Play system update since July or August of this year. Some newer, pricier models like the Galaxy S25 series are stuck on the September update, despite already having Samsung’s December security patch. This means these critical updates, which patch core Android components independently of Samsung’s firmware, have completely stalled for months. The issue is widespread, affecting even recent flagships like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. A newer Play system update is currently only available on beta builds of the upcoming One UI 8.5 software. This lag creates a potential security gap where parts of the OS are vulnerable, even if Samsung’s own patches are up to date.
Samsung’s Update Problem Is a Habit
Here’s the thing: this isn’t a new bug. It’s basically a pattern. As SamMobile points out, this exact stall tends to happen whenever Samsung is rolling out a new major version of One UI and Android. The company gets so focused on its big platform update that these Google-delivered patches fall by the wayside. In past years, the updates usually picked back up around January. But 2025 is weird. Samsung dropped One UI 8, and they’re already barreling toward a One UI 8.5 release. Two major updates in less than six months? That’s a frantic pace, and it seems like the infrastructure for these parallel update streams can’t keep up.
Why This Security Gap Matters
So, what’s the big deal? Your phone has a December security patch from Samsung, right? Well, those Google Play system updates are different. They allow Google to fix vulnerabilities in core parts of the Android OS directly, without waiting for Samsung to bundle the fix into its own monthly patch. It’s a layered defense. When one layer stops updating, your device isn’t as protected as it should be. It’s like locking your front door but leaving a window wide open. For a company that’s made such a public commitment to long-term support and security, these recurring lapses are pretty embarrassing. They undermine the whole promise.
When Will It Finally Get Fixed?
The hopeful news is that, with the One UI 8 rollout now complete for eligible devices, the logjam might clear soon. The theory is that Samsung’s engineers were just overloaded. But there’s a big “if.” That upcoming One UI 8.5 update could easily throw another wrench in the works. If you’re worried, you can manually check for an update by going to Settings > Security and privacy > Updates > Google Play system update. Don’t be surprised if there’s nothing there, though. For now, all we can do is wait and see if Samsung gets its act together. Again.
