Galaxy S25 One UI 8.5 Beta 9 Now Available in US
- Samsung has expanded the rollout of its ninth One UI 8.5 beta build to Galaxy S25 series users in the United States.
- The US release of Beta 9, identified by firmware build version ZZD5, appears to be currently available for carrier-locked versions of the devices.
- The most significant addition in this beta release is the introduction of AirDrop support for file sharing with iPhones via Quick Share.
Samsung has expanded the rollout of its ninth One UI 8.5 beta build to Galaxy S25 series users in the United States. This update, based on Android 16 QPR2, follows earlier releases in South Korea and India, bringing critical feature additions and system stability improvements to the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra.
The US release of Beta 9, identified by firmware build version ZZD5, appears to be currently available for carrier-locked versions of the devices. The update is substantial in size, weighing over 800MB, though the exact footprint varies depending on the specific model and region.
Cross-Platform Integration and Camera Enhancements
The most significant addition in this beta release is the introduction of AirDrop support for file sharing with iPhones via Quick Share. This functionality was first introduced with the Galaxy S26 series, and Samsung is now extending this capability to the S25 lineup to improve flexibility in mixed-device environments.
To utilize the Share with Apple devices
feature, the device must be running Quick Share app version 13.8.51.27 or later and Google Play services version 26.11.xx or later.
Alongside the sharing updates, Samsung has added three new creative camera filters: Classic Film, Pop Film, and Blanc. These filters were previously exclusive to the S26 lineup, which ships with One UI 8.5 by default.
System Stability and Bug Fixes
A primary focus of Beta 9 is the resolution of several system-level bugs and reliability issues. The update addresses a variety of performance glitches across the user interface and hardware connectivity.
- Resolved an issue where Bluetooth connections would periodically disconnect and reconnect.
- Fixed a UI bug where the top portion of notification cards was being cut off.
- Corrected an issue where the Always-On Display (AOD) time information was displayed incorrectly in certain scenarios.
- Improved the notification card user interface for when the device is rotated.
- Fixed a bug where the lock screen would briefly appear during an incoming call before the call screen transitioned.
- Addressed a stuttering issue encountered when entering gallery albums under specific conditions.
- Resolved screen flickering and color distortion that occurred when changing zoom levels during dual recording.
Broader One UI 8.5 Beta Context
The expansion of the One UI 8.5 beta program is part of a wider effort by Samsung to bring new software features to a broader range of hardware. On April 9, 2026, Samsung announced the expansion of the program to additional devices, including the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, and the Galaxy A36 5G in India.
Earlier in March 2026, the beta program had already been extended to the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, and the Galaxy Tab S11 series.
For the Galaxy S25 series, this ninth beta build is expected to be one of the final versions before the stable update is released to the general public.
How to Access the Beta
The One UI 8.5 beta is currently limited to users who have enrolled in the program via the Samsung Members app. Eligible users can register by locating the beta program banner within the app.
Once enrolled, the update can be installed by navigating to Settings, selecting Software update, and then choosing Download and install.