Samsung testing One UI 9

One UI 9 is Samsung's custom Android skin built on top of Android 17. While Android 17 itself focuses on privacy, security and refined performance, Samsung has layered its own improvements on top, aimed at better adaptability across device types, expanded AI features and tighter ecosystem integration.

• Announced in May 2026, shortly after Google's own Android 17 rollout to Pixel devices
• Beta testing began on 13 May 2026 for the Galaxy S26 series, days ahead of Android 17's official unveiling at Google I/O 2026
• Unlike earlier One UI betas that were limited to South Korea at launch, the One UI 9 beta was made available in multiple regions at once, including India, Germany, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S.
• The Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 launched on 22 July 2026 with One UI 9 already installed, making them the first devices to run the update out of the box
• Core Android 17 additions carried into One UI 9 include flexible multitasking and a redesigned Google search bar below the homescreen dock

One UI 9 introduces changes across the interface, AI tools and everyday usability. Here is what the update changes on eligible devices.

• Redesigned Now Bar music player - The lockscreen Now Bar shows a music wavelength when minimised, and the play/pause and skip buttons are bolder and no longer sit inside a card when expanded
• Animation improvements - Smoother transitions when tapping the search bar in the app drawer, opening folders and using the widgets picker menu
• Quick settings panel customisation -Toggles, the media player and sliders can now be resized. The media player can expand into a 2x2 layout, and brightness and volume sliders are thicker for easier scrolling
• Parental controls - New app-specific time limits, along with the option to restrict app installations by category or age rating
• Redact text in Samsung Notes - A new tape tool lets users cover parts of a note with different tape patterns and designs
• Bypass charging in the gaming menu - A single toggle in the gaming menu enables bypass charging while the phone is plugged in, to help preserve battery health
• Now Nudge - A Galaxy AI feature that reads on-screen context to suggest real-time next actions, such as opening a calendar entry or saving a location, without switching apps manually
• My FanCam - Exclusive to foldables, this feature tracks a chosen subject in a video and automatically reframes it to a preferred aspect ratio for sharing
• Warranty and care section - A new settings section shows a device's warranty coverage status and provides a direct line to Samsung Care

Early builds and regional reports also point to a few additional changes expected on One UI 9, including an easier shortcut to trigger Lockdown Mode, the option to block internet access for specific apps, and AI-based suggestions while editing images. These are based on early testing and may be refined before a wider rollout.

Before updating, it helps to check which One UI version your phone is currently running.

Check your current One UI version

1. Open the Settings app
2. Scroll down and tap About phone
3. Select Software information
4. Look for the One UI version listed on the screen

If it shows One UI 9, the update has already been installed. If it shows an older version, use the steps below to check manually.

Install the One UI 9 update

1. Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone or tablet
2. Scroll down and select Software update
3. Tap Download and install
4. If the update is available, tap Install now. To install later, use the Schedule install option instead
5. Once the download completes, the phone will install the update and restart on One UI 9

Devices will also receive an OTA notification once the update is available, provided the Auto download setting for updates is turned on.

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