If you still own a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung has issued one final software update for those devices. Unfortunately, this is the last update they will receive. After five years of support, both foldable models have reached the end of their official software and security update lifecycle.
Samsung delivered a final update in late August and has now removed the Fold 3 and Flip 3 from its active software support list. That means the phones will no longer receive security patches, bug fixes, or feature updates from Samsung. The devices will remain on whatever Android version and security level they currently have installed, with no further official updates to address newly discovered vulnerabilities or compatibility issues.
What This Means If You Own One
For owners, the immediate effect is straightforward: your phone continues to work the same way it does today, but it will no longer receive official security fixes. Samsung originally promised four years of major OS upgrades and five years of security patches for the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 when those phones launched in August 2021. On that schedule, the phones received their last major Android upgrade in 2024 and continued to get quarterly security updates until now. Samsung has fulfilled that commitment, but the support window has now closed.
Because the official update channel is closed, any security vulnerabilities discovered going forward will not be patched by Samsung for these models. That increases potential risk if you continue to use one of these phones for sensitive tasks, such as online banking, two-factor authentication, or storing confidential information. The risk grows over time as new exploits are found and older devices stop receiving mitigations.
On the other hand, losing official updates does not instantly render the device unusable. The Fold 3 and Flip 3 will keep functioning for everyday tasks like calls, messages, media playback, and many apps. Many users will continue to find their devices perfectly adequate for daily use. However, the lack of security updates is an important consideration if you rely on the device for work or handle sensitive personal data.
If you prefer to stay within Samsung’s ecosystem while extending long-term update coverage, more recent Samsung flagship phones come with longer support commitments. Newer Galaxy flagships now receive extended update windows that include more years of security patches and platform upgrades compared with older models. Upgrading to a current model will restore access to ongoing security updates, new Android versions, and performance improvements.
Samsung also continues to offer trade-in programs for older devices, so you can trade a Fold 3 or Flip 3 toward a newer phone if you want a straightforward upgrade path. Keep in mind that trade-in values for older hardware are typically modest, particularly once a device leaves official support. If you plan to trade in, check current trade-in terms to understand the value you’ll receive.
If you decide to keep the Fold 3 or Flip 3 for the foreseeable future, take sensible precautions to reduce your exposure to new threats. Keep apps updated through official app stores, avoid installing unknown or untrusted applications, use strong authentication methods, enable device encryption and secure lock screens, and consider limiting the types of sensitive activities you perform on the device. Regular backups are also wise so that you can preserve your data if the device is ever compromised or needs to be replaced.
In summary, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 have reached their planned end of support after five years. The phones will continue to operate, but they will no longer receive official security patches or new software features from Samsung. If ongoing security updates are important to you, upgrading to a newer device is the safest option; if you keep your current foldable, follow standard security best practices to reduce risk.