A few months after officially ending software support for the Galaxy S20 series, Samsung is unexpectedly rolling out a new update, at least for some users in the US. The July 2025 security patch is now hitting the 2020 flagships on Verizon’s network, offering a surprise boost in security and stability. This update may or may not be available worldwide.
Galaxy S20 phones get a surprise update months after Samsung pulled support
The Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra debuted in early 2020, marking a new direction for Samsung’s flagship lineup. In April 2025, the company officially ended support for the devices, having pushed regular OS and security updates for five years. However, it is now rolling out the July 2025 security patch to the 2020 flagship trio, starting with users on Verizon’s network in the US.
Verizon Galaxy S20 units are getting this update with the firmware build numbers G981VSQSDHYG2, G986USQSDHYG2, and G988USQSDHYG2 for the three models, respectively. The rollout began recently and should be available nationwide in the coming days. However, it’s unclear if Samsung plans to push this update to the phones on other networks.
This isn’t the first time Samsung has rolled out an update after wrapping up support for a device. However, it remains a rare move, and a welcome one for those still holding onto a Galaxy S20. This update ensures protection against recently discovered vulnerabilities, enhancing the security and stability of the devices.
That said, the Galaxy S20’s support period has officially ended, so the phones remain vulnerable to the latest security flaws. Users should consider upgrading to a newer model. The Galaxy S25 lineup offers plenty of upgrades, including a longer official support now extending up to seven years. The devices are available to buy from Samsung’s website as well as other third-party retail channels.