Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the One UI 8.5 beta program, introducing new and easier ways to create, connect, and stay protected. One UI 8.5 enables users to enable more seamless actions, device management and enhanced security.

One UI 8.5: What’s New for Content Creation?

One UI 8.5 makes creating and sharing content more intuitive from start to finish. Users can keep generating new images without interruption with the updated Photo Assist ¹. They can edit photos using Photo Assist features continuously, without needing to save each iteration. When finished, they can easily review all the creations in edit history and pick their favourites to keep.

Sharing is smoother too, thanks to enhancements to Quick Share² which now recognizes people in photos and proactively suggests sending them directly to those contacts.

How Does One UI 8.5 Improve Device Connectivity?

New cross-device features make managing devices easier, whether users need to manage files, share their network, or communicate with nearby devices. Audio Broadcast³ enables effortless communication with LE Audio-supported devices nearby using Auracast. In addition to audio from media sources, users can now broadcast their voice using their Galaxy phone’s built-in microphone – ideal for group situations like tours or events.

Storage Share⁴ brings even more fluidity to the Galaxy ecosystem by showing files from other Galaxy devices – including tablets and PCs – directly in the My Files app. It also allows users to access their phone’s files from other Samsung devices, including their TV.

How Is My Galaxy Device Staying Protected?

For additional protection, Failed Authentication Lock automatically locks the screen if there are too many failed attempts to verify identity by fingerprint, PIN or password. Identity check also safeguards more settings than before, adding an extra layer of protection.

Availability

The One UI 8.5 beta program will be first available to Galaxy S25 series users in select markets including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK and the U.S. from December 8. The availability of One UI 8.5 beta is not yet confirmed for Canada.

¹ Generative Edit feature for Photo Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Editing with Generative Edit may result in a resized photo. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.

² Available on devices with One UI 2.1 or above, with Android Q OS version or higher installed. Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi connection are both required for Quick Share. Actual speed may vary depending on device, network condition and user environment. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.

³ Only available on Galaxy S25 series devices, including Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.

⁴ Each device must be signed in to same Samsung account and must have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Requires updated Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 7 or higher and kernel version 5.15 or higher and Galaxy Book2 or later(Intel) and Galaxy Book4 or later(Arm) and Samsung Smart TV models including U8000 and above released after 2025. Feature availability may vary by region and device model. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.

Samsung recently started rolling out One UI 7 with security updates to existing features, including additional theft protection features. These will now also be available to even more devices, having started with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in February, and now expanding across more Galaxy smartphones throughout the year. 

Samsung is introducing new security updates to better protect users in the event of phone theft. One major update is “Theft Protection” – a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data. 

Galaxy users can now enable a range of new security measures, including “Identity Check”, designed to offer stronger protection. These features respond automatically and intelligently to unauthorized activity, helping to keep personal data  secure and under the user’s control in these critical moments. 

Existing and updated features in Theft Protection include: 

• Theft Detection Lock: This feature can be turned on under the security and privacy section in the settings.  

• Offline Device Lock: The screen gets automatically locked if the device is disconnected from the carrier network and wifi for an extended period adding an layer of protection when your device is offline.. 

• Remote Lock: If the device has been stolen or misplaced, go to android.com/lock and enter the phone number of your stolen/misplaced phone to remotely lock your device. Remote Lock also allows users to regain control of their account and explore additional recovery options.
• Identity Check: In unfamiliar locations, the ‘Safe Places’ feature requires biometric authentication for any changes to sensitive security settings, adding an additional layer of protection when a PIN may have been compromised. 

• Security Delay: A key component of Identity Check, it triggers a one-hour waiting period if someone attempts to reset biometric data. This crucial buffer gives users time to lock the stolen phone such as a PC or tablet, before unauthorized access can occur. 

These updated features will become available on more Galaxy devices with future updates.  

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Further steps to take if your Samsung Galaxy device is lost or stolen 

Find my Phone Lock: How to remotely lock your Samsung Galaxy device: 

• Turn Find my mobile and location sharing on in your phone’s settings. 

• Sign into smartthingsfind.samsung.com using your Samsung account 

• Make sure you have registrered your desired mobile device to your Samsung account. 

• Select your phone on the left-hand side of the page, then choose Lost Mode in the device details section.  

• Create a PIN to unlock your phone if recovered, and enter it twice to confirm. 

• When you are ready, select the Lock button and verify your Samsung account to activate Lost mode 

• If your device is recovered, you can unlock it using the PIN that was created when setting up lost mode on your device 

How to remotely delete data on your Samsung Galaxy device:  

• Turn Find my mobile and location sharing on in your phone’s settings. 

• Visit the smartthingsfind.samsung.com website 

• Make sure you have registrered your desired mobile device to your Samsung account. 

• Select the phone you want to erase and choose Erase Data 

• Verify your Samsung account credentials 

• Review the information provided and tap Erase to confirm 

• All the data on your mobile, including Samsung Pay information, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered 

• This will also reset your phone, meaning you won’t be able to locate and control it via Samsung Find 

How to remotely change your Samsung and/or Google account passwords:  

• It is recommended to change the passwords for your Samsung and Google accounts (or whichever accounts are linked to your device) by signing in through their respective websites 

• Once changed, you will be signed out of all connected devices, except the one you’re using 

• This prevents unauthorized access to account-linked features and protects your personal information 

Other remote features available:  

• Ring: Make your device ring even if it’s set to silent or vibrate in the SmartThings website. 

• Battery Management: Activate power-saving settings to keep your device on longer and improve the chances of recovery 

Other ways to locate Galaxy devices 

Find your phone using your Galaxy watch (WearOS 5 or higher): 

• Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Watch to open Quick settings 

• Tap the Find My Phone icon. Make sure you have connected your desired phone to your Galaxy Watch beforehand.  

• Tap Start to begin the search – your phone’s ringtone will sound 

• Once found, tap Stop on your watch or the X icon on your phone 

Find your Galaxy Watch:  

• Turn on the “Samsung Find” settings on your Galaxy Watch. 

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone 

• Tap Find My Watch (or Find My Band / Find My Gear, depending on your device) 

• If connected via Bluetooth, tap Start 

• Your watch will vibrate and play a sound (depending on model) 

• Once found, tap the X icon on your watch or Stop on your phone 

Find your Galaxy Buds:  

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet 

• Tap Find My Earbuds 

• Tap Start – your earbuds will begin beeping and gradually increase in volume for three minutes 

• Once found, tap Stop 

Contact the authorities and your mobile network provider:  

• Once taken the steps above, report your lost or stolen device to the police and record a crime incident report 

• Contact your mobile network provider to freeze your contract and prevent unauthorized usage