All you need to know about One UI 8.5 beta

One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s second software update based on Android 16. It brings new and improved features, more UI customization options, and a new design language for stock apps. Besides Galaxy AI and productivity enhancements, it also brings improvements to privacy, security, and accessibility.

It is currently available in beta form for select devices. If you’re looking for all the information on One UI 8.5, you’ve come to the right place.

Since Samsung didn’t bring any major UI design changes with One UI 8.0 in 2025, many people were left underwhelmed by that update. As a result, Samsung is introducing several UI design and customization improvements with One UI 8.5. The update is based on Android 16 QPR2 and brings a fully customizable Quick Panel, and improved lock screen customization.

All stock apps now follow a new UI design language that features a floating, compact, pill-shaped tab bar. The back navigation and search buttons at the top of stock apps also use a floating design. The designs of Calculator, Calendar, Clock, Device Care, and Samsung Health have been improved as well.

Before releasing the new software to all eligible devices, Samsung has decided to roll out a beta version for users who want to test One UI 8.5. During the beta phase, the company can identify bugs, fix issues, and further improve performance and reliability. The stable version of One UI 8.5 could be released in early 2026, possibly around the launch of the Galaxy S26 series.

If you want to beta-test One UI 8.5 on your eligible Galaxy device, follow the steps listed below.

Since this is a beta update, it may contain bugs and could have performance, stability, or reliability issues. It’s therefore important to back up all your important personal data (call logs, documents, messages, photos, videos, and more), especially if you plan to return to the stable version of One UI 8, as doing so will require resetting your phone.

You can find instructions on how to back up your data, along with additional tips, in our dedicated guide.

Initially, the One UI 8.5 update can only be beta-tested on the Galaxy S25 series (excluding the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy S25 FE). Samsung could release the One UI 8.5 beta to more Galaxy devices in the future, and we’ll update this list as and when additional devices are added.

Samsung has announced that the One UI 8.5 beta program will be available in the countries listed below, with some receiving it in the first phase and others getting access later. However, it’s likely that only flagship devices launched in 2025 will receive the beta in all of these countries.

The biggest new feature of One UI 8.5 is the Quick Panel. It is completely customizable, allowing you to remove individual controls and add only the ones you want. You can change the size of Quick Settings toggles and adjust their placement and orientation. There are also more lock screen clock font customization options, and the clock widget rearranges its layout to avoid covering people, pets, or objects in the lock screen wallpaper.

The new software also brings improved productivity features such as Storage Share and faster connectivity to nearby displays. DeX now remembers all apps and their window positions from your last session, allowing you to resume tasks right away without spending time reopening and rearranging apps. There’s also a built-in time zone converter in the stock Clock app.

You can record a selected portion of the screen, get early alerts for reminders, set weather-based backgrounds for alarms, and use built-in Bluetooth Auracast to broadcast your voice. Quick Share now suggests contacts you can share images with. Galaxy AI also offers continuous image generation, making it easier to redo or undo changes and edits.

If you’d like to see the full list of changes and improvements in One UI 8.5, you can check out the complete changelog.