Nothing Quietly Removes Lock Glimpse Ads From Nothing OS 4.0: But Phone 3a Lite Users Still Have to Wait

Nothing has silently removed the much-talked-about Lock Glimpse ads feature from its Nothing Phones with the December Nothing OS 4.0 update, and users are already questioning this decision. 

The changes affected the Nothing Phone 3a, 3a Pro, while the 3a Lite still includes the Glimpse ads now.

This move matters because it signals Nothing backing away from lock screen ads after the user hates and questions its premise of a clean, bloatware-free Android Experience.

Nothing removes “Lock Glimpse Ads” without warning.

In a move that has surprised many fans, Nothing has removed the Lock Screen Glimpse Ads features from Nothing OS.  This feature is criticized for displaying promotional content on the lock screen.

The feature was introduced with Nothing OS 4.0 alongside the Android 16 rollout and included a part of the home screen wallpaper with animation ads on the lock screen. It is no longer present in recent Nothing OS builds.

What is more surprising is the lack of an official announcement. The optional feature has been quietly removed. 

With the December Nothing OS 4.0 Update:

• Nothing Phone 3a – Lock Glimpse removed
• Nothing Phone 3a Pro – Lock Glimpse removed
• Nothing Phone 3a Lite – Lock Glimpse Still Present ( but disabled by default)

This ad is completely removed from  Nothing phones 3a and 3a Pro. However, there is a catch: the Nothing Phone 3a Lite is not yet fully free. Nevertheless, all 3a lite users can see these features disabled by default.

This marks a clear response to user complaints, especially regarding battery drain and the presence of ads, which detract from the premium, clean Android experience.

What were Nothing Lock Glimpse Ads, and Why Did Users Hate Them?

Lock Glimpse debuted with Nothing OS 4.0 alongside Android 16 on the Phone 3a series. While technically optional, it quickly became one of the most disliked features in Nothing’s software history.

Here are all the Key complaints included:

• Ads appearing on the Lock Screen
• Battery Drain even when the feature is turned off
• No Way to fully uninstall the service
• A perception that ads didn’t belong on a “clean” Android UI ( which promises Nothing)

For Many users, disabling it wasn’t enough for them; they want it gone completely.

December Update: More Than Just Lock Glimpse Removal

The December Nothing OS 4.0 update doesn’t stop with Lock Glimpse.

Nothing has also confirmed that use on Phone 3a models can now remove Meta-related system bloat by disabling:

• Meta App Installer
• Meta App Manager
• Meta Services

After deactivating any of these, the phone prompts a reboot and permanently removes the Meta service from the system partition- A major win for users who prefer a clean OS.

Additionally, the update introduces a new app recommendation feature, which can be disabled by turning off the App Service system app.

Why The Nothing Phone 3a Lite Still Has Lock Glimpse Ads

The Nothing Phone 3a Lite is the most affordable model in this lineup, but it still includes Lock Screen Glimpse. 

Nothing says this comes down to “certain trade-offs” required to keep the device at a lower price point.

The Good News is that:

• Lock Glimse Ads is Off By Default
• Nothing has confirmed that a future update will allow users to uninstall completely.

So, until then, the 3A Lite user has to wait a little longer for full removal.

What This Means for Nothing’s Software Direction and User Trust

At the conclusion of this move, send a clean message: “Nothing is listening”.

However, in the early reaction from the Nothing Community, there are positive feelings, while some users are disappointed that Nothing has provided official confirmation. 

Removing lock-screen ads, especially after user pressure, suggests that nothing prioritizes trust, user voice, and long-term brand loyalty over experimental monetization.

It also set a precedent that controversial features won’t survive if the community pushes back hard enough.

FAQs of Nothing Lock Glimpse Ads

Nothing Final Take

Lock Glimpse Ads may be on their way out, but the situation is not yet fully resolved. While Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are finally free, the Phone 3a Lite owners are still waiting…

Still, compared to where things started, this is a decisive step in the right direction, and a reminder that user feedback remains the highest priority, shaping the Android Software Ecosystem.

Additionally, owners of the Nothing Phone 3a, 3a Pro, and 3a Lite who have not yet updated to the December Nothing OS 4.0 update, please update to enjoy the latest features.