It was just recently that Samsung released the Android 15-based One UI 7 update to its devices. The company got a bit late in rolling out the One UI 7 update, as the beta program took a long stretch to reach the stable version. You can check out our One UI 7 update tracker to know when your device will receive the stable update. Reportedly, Samsung was dealing with one issue after the other, and it took them a while to perfect the One UI 7 update. Thankfully, that is not the case with the Android 16-based One UI 8 update, as Samsung has officially kicked off the One UI 8 beta program for eligible devices. Currently, the One UI 8 Beta program is open for the latest Galaxy S25 series owners.
This means that if you have a Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, or Galaxy S25 Ultra, then you can hop onto the One UI 8 Beta program and enjoy the latest features as they are released. You would be wondering what new features Samsung would’ve introduced with the One UI 8 update. This is where this article comes into the picture. In this guide, we will discuss with you all the details you need to know about the One UI 8 Beta program and how you can join it. Let’s jump right into it.
One UI 8 Eligible Devices and Countries
Since the One UI 8 beta program just took off, only the latest Galaxy S25 series owners can participate in it, which includes:
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy S25+
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which is the slimmest Galaxy phone ever, and the newest entrant to the Galaxy S25 series, isn’t eligible for the One UI 8 beta program.
Also, the One UI 8 Beta program isn’t live globally. You need to reside in the following countries to participate in the beta program:
- Germany
- South Korea
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
Samsung has confirmed that after the initial wave of the One UI 8 Beta program, more countries and devices will be added. Another important thing to note is that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and the Galaxy Z Flip7, scheduled to launch this summer (most likely in July), will be the first Samsung phones to come with the stable version of Android 16-based One UI 8 update. Samsung said:
Thanks to the mutual partnership between Samsung and Google, One UI 8 will debut on Samsung’s newest foldables this summer and will gradually expand to more Galaxy devices so users can now enjoy an enriched, more personalized mobile experience with the latest version of Android.
How to sign up for and install the One UI 8 Beta update?
It goes without saying that before you join the One UI 8 Beta program or any beta program for that matter, take a backup of all your data. Either store it in a cloud storage or use an external HDD or SSD to store your data. This would come in handy if things go south, especially since beta updates are filled with bugs, and you may have to go back to One UI 7 until the bug is fixed.
With that out of the way, here’s how you sign up for the One UI 8 Beta program.
- Download the Samsung Members app from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.
- Ensure that you are logged in to your Samsung account on your Galaxy S25 series phone. If not, then create one and sign in.
- Launch the Samsung Members app.
- Scroll down to the Beta Program section and tap Join. (Do note that the beta program seats are filling up fast. So, you may want to rush if you wish to experience One UI 8).
- Follow the on-screen steps to download the latest One UI 8 beta update.
The new process of joining the Samsung Beta program is quite quick and streamlined. Unlike previously, you don’t need to first enroll yourself in the beta program and then go back to Settings > Software Update and download the beta update. Everything now happens from the Samsung Members app.
One UI 8 Beta Changelog and Features
This is where most of you would spend your time reading this piece. The One UI 8 Beta changelog is quite long, and while we have attached the screenshot of the changelog below, we have also trimmed down the changelog and mentioned the important features in detail below:
- Quick Share made easier: You can now send and receive files faster using Quick Share, right from the quick settings menu.
- Find downloads by app: If you can’t remember a file name, you can now search downloads based on the app that downloaded them (like WhatsApp or Chrome).
- Samsung Internet redesign: The Internet browser has a cleaner menu and lets you change the layout to suit your style.
- Faster AI text selection: You can immediately select text on the screen using AI without waiting.
- Better Samsung DeX support: When you connect your phone to a monitor or TV, you can now rotate the screen and choose higher resolutions like WQHD.
- Improved split-screen: While using two apps at once, you can turn one into a small pop-up and quickly switch between them with a new toolbar.
- New Reminder design: Categories are now easier to see and manage. You can also hide them to save space.
- Built-in templates: Get examples of useful reminders, like tasks or a to-do list, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
- Faster reminder creation: Just type your task, and the app gives you smart suggestions. You can also add images, locations, and checklists, or use voice input.
- Reminders in Calendar: You can now create reminders directly from the Calendar app without switching apps.
- Quick event suggestions: When adding events, it suggests names and times based on your past entries.
- New preset routines: Ready-to-use routines based on weather and other triggers. Customize them as you like.
- More routine options: You can now use reminders, alarms, and other apps to trigger or respond in your automated routines.
- Run challenges with friends: Compete with friends to see who runs a certain distance the fastest (like 5 km).
- Meal tracking reminders: You’ll get notifications to help you remember to log your food intake.
- Updated profile cards: It’s easier to create and share your contact card when calling someone.
- Call recordings in contact history: Any calls you recorded now show up in the contact’s history screen.
- Swipe for quick settings: In the Camera app, swipe up or down to quickly change shooting modes or settings.
- Better Secure Folder options: You can now hide Secure Folder apps and notifications when your phone is locked, and even make the folder itself invisible.
- Zoom with Assistant menu: New ways to zoom in/out using pinch gestures or on-screen buttons.
- Control mouse with keyboard: If you can’t use a mouse, you can move the pointer using your keyboard.
- Bigger on-screen keyboard: You can now make the keys on your screen keyboard larger.
- Easier Bluetooth hearing aid pairing: Pair your hearing aids faster from the Accessibility settings.
- Easier Auracast connection: You can broadcast your phone’s audio to many devices at once and let others join with a QR code.
- Alarm groups: Group multiple alarms together and control them with a single tap.
- Faster support at service centers: Scan a QR code at Samsung Service Centers to share your device info quickly and securely.
- Better Weather app visuals: Weather info now comes with more realistic animations and illustrations.
- Now Bar and Now Brief: You will get more customized insights and suggestions.
What’s your role as a beta tester?
When you install the latest One UI 8 beta update, you will be treated to a lot of new features. This time, Samsung might focus more on AI features and cosmetic fixes that were probably left out in One UI 7. However, your role in joining the beta program isn’t just ot enjoy the features, but you are also expected to report bugs or glitches that you come across when using the phone with the latest beta update.
This will allow Samsung to improve the update, fix the bugs, and release the stable version of the software quickly. Otherwise, the stable update will be half-baked. To provide feedback, all you need to do is go to the Samsung Members app > Beta feedback > Send feedback. Samsung says that for a quick bug fix, you must report the error within three minutes of encountering it. If you can attach screenshots, videos, or images, that will help understand the problem more clearly.
When to expect the stable One UI 8 update rollout?
Since this is the initial phase of the One UI 8 beta program, there is no clarity on when Samsung will push the stable update. While the stable update will first arrive with the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7, you can expect the update to enter its stable phase at the back end of 2025.
One UI 8 Beta Update Information
- One Ul Version: 8.0
- Android Version: 16
- Size: 3413.45 MB
- Security Patch Level: May 1, 2025
Notably, as per one X/Twitter user, users who have installed the One UI 8 update have received a new update that bumps the security patch level to June 2025.