Samsung continues to roll out the October 2024 security update, bringing improvements to various Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S21 FE, S20 FE, and the Note 20 series. Alongside these security enhancements, Samsung has also launched a significant upgrade to its Health app, adding new features and expanding existing ones.
October 2024 Update for Galaxy S21 FE and S20 FE
Samsung has been consistent with its monthly updates for the Fan Edition (FE) series, and the October 2024 patch is now reaching the Galaxy S21 FE and S20 FE. This update follows the rollout of the recently launched Galaxy S24 FE and S23 FE.
The Galaxy S21 FE is receiving the firmware version G990BXXSAGXJ1, while the 5G models of the Galaxy S20 FE are getting firmware G781BXXSEHXJ3. This update focuses on enhancing the security of Samsung’s One UI software, with the October patch offering critical improvements. The update is already available for unbranded Galaxy S21 FE and S20 FE 5G models in Europe, including the Netherlands and Belgium. The 4G versions of the S20 FE are expected to follow shortly.
What’s Next for the Galaxy S20 FE?
The Galaxy S20 FE, originally launched in October 2020, is approaching its fourth year of software updates. Samsung typically reduces update frequency for older devices after this period, and the same is expected for the S20 FE. Although the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra were shifted to quarterly updates earlier in 2024, they are still receiving regular security patches. Fans of the S20 FE can hope for a similar continuation of updates, though official confirmation from Samsung is awaited.
Samsung Health App Update: New Features for the Galaxy Ecosystem
Samsung has also introduced a major upgrade to its Samsung Health app, available with version 6.28. This update includes several new features aimed at improving overall wellness and fitness tracking across Galaxy devices.
Health Records Integration
One of the standout features of this update is Health Records, allowing users to easily access medical records from clinics, hospitals, and major health networks. Samsung has partnered with b.well Connected Health, a platform that aggregates data from leading electronic medical record (EMR) systems such as Athenahealth, Cerner Health, Epic Systems, and Veradigm. This feature makes it simpler for users to manage their health information directly from their Galaxy devices.
Medications Tracking Expansion
The Medications Tracking feature has also been expanded, now available in South Korea and India after initially launching in the United States. This tool helps users manage their prescriptions and medication schedules more effectively, further enhancing Samsung’s health ecosystem.
Food Intake and Barcode Scanning
To improve diet management, Samsung Health now offers barcode scanning for food tracking. Users can scan food items to automatically log details like calories, nutritional information, and serving sizes. This feature is initially available in the United States and select European countries like France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, with plans to expand to additional regions in the future.
Samsung’s collaboration with industry leaders in health data, medication tracking, and food scanning technology ensures that users get the most accurate and comprehensive health management experience.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Receive October 2024 Security Update
In addition to the Fan Edition devices, Samsung is rolling out the October 2024 security update for its Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra models. Users in several European countries, including Switzerland, are now receiving the update. The new firmware versions for these devices end with HXJ1 and focus on enhancing system security and stability.
The October 2024 security patch addresses over 40 vulnerabilities, with fixes from both Google and Samsung. Google’s update resolves 2 critical and 28 high-level security issues, while Samsung addresses 12 specific vulnerabilities related to its system services and Knox security. Additionally, Samsung Semiconductor has fixed a high-level issue related to system performance.
How to Install the October Update
To install the latest update on your Galaxy device, simply follow these steps:
- Open your Settings.
- Scroll down to Software Update.
- Tap Download and install.
If you haven’t received a notification for the update yet, it may still be rolling out in stages, so check back regularly.
Note 20 Series Shift to Quarterly Updates
As of September 2024, the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra have moved from monthly to quarterly update schedules, meaning they will now receive updates every three months. This reflects Samsung’s ongoing support for older devices while ensuring that users continue to benefit from essential security and performance improvements.
Conclusion
Samsung’s October 2024 updates not only ensure that older devices like the Galaxy S21 FE, S20 FE, and Note 20 series remain secure but also enhance the user experience with the updated Samsung Health app. By expanding features such as health record access, medication tracking, and food intake management, Samsung is committed to providing a comprehensive digital health platform for its users. Whether you’re focused on device security or health tracking, these updates demonstrate Samsung’s dedication to continuous innovation and support across its product ecosystem.
