Samsung’s One UI 9 Beta Testing Program Is Now Live, and Here’s What to Expect.
Samsung announced the start of beta testing for One UI 9 (based on Android 17 ) this week, giving users who don’t mind some bugs and kinks the chance to test the new features early. (The standard beta warning applies: install at your own risk—there’s no guarantee you won’t lose data or find an app malfunctioning if you decide to beta test.)
As for the timing of downloading and installing the final version of One UI 9, it’s difficult to predict. Rumors suggest it could debut on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 around July, in line with Samsung’s strategy last year, with a wider rollout expected to begin in September.
New features in One UI 9 beta
In its official announcement, Samsung mentioned several new features we can expect in One UI 9, although this is hardly a complete list. Samsung typically adds new features as the beta program progresses, leading up to the full launch.
Samsung Notes will feature new creative tools, including more pen styles and decorative ribbons, and the updated Contacts app will make it easier to create personalized profile cards using Creative Studio AI.
The Quick Panel (the settings panel you open from the top) will give you more control over the layout of widgets and the media player, and One UI 9 will do a better job of warning you about “high-risk apps” that could be dangerous.
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One UI also expects some accessibility improvements, including adjustable mouse click speed, an improved TalkBack tool that uses audio and haptic feedback to help users with visual impairments, and a new Text Spotlight option to make reading easier.
This isn’t the most significant list of improvements you’ll ever see, but it’s a start. The just-announced Gemini Intelligence features —for task completion, form filling, improved dictation, and custom widget creation— are confirmed to arrive first on Samsung and Pixel phones, suggesting they’ll integrate with One UI 9. Updates to various parts of the interface are also expected , though these are just rumors for now. There have also been leaks about improved data sharing between phones, so the list of improvements should be more substantial by the time One UI 9 is fully released.
Devices compatible with the One UI 9 beta
The One UI 9 beta will only work with Galaxy phones with “S26” in their name. If you have a Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, or Galaxy S26 Ultra, you can participate; otherwise, you’ll have to wait.
Since the Galaxy S25, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 (i.e., flagship devices slated for 2025) are only now receiving One UI 8.5, owners of these phones will likely be able to join the One UI 9 beta later this year. Availability is also limited by region. Users in the US, UK, Germany, India, South Korea, and Poland are getting access to the beta this week, and if Samsung follows its usual strategy, more regions will be added in the coming weeks and months.
How to register for the One UI 9 beta
If you have a Galaxy S26 and live in one of the beta testing countries, you can start using One UI 9 right now by going to the Members app on your Samsung phone. You’ll need to sign in with your Samsung account if you haven’t already (or sign up for a Samsung account if you don’t have one).
I’m in the UK and have a Galaxy S26 Ultra, so I’m eligible to participate, but I haven’t seen the beta option yet. Based on previous beta tests, the invitation to participate should be prominently displayed on the main screen of the Participants app, so you won’t miss it.
After signing the necessary agreements, you can check for the beta version by opening Settings on your Samsung phone and selecting Software Update > Download and Install . You will receive beta updates until the full release of One UI 9 or until you opt out of the beta program.