One UI 9 update on a Galaxy phone held in a hand

One UI 9 Update: What’s New for Galaxy S24, S25 and S26

Key takeaways

  • One UI 9 (Android 17) started on the Galaxy S26 on Sept. 16 and has reached the S25 and S24 series
  • New Galaxy AI tools include Now Nudge, My FanCam and custom Now Brief cards, plus Security Brief
  • Free at least 10GB and charge to 50% before updating; carrier timing varies
One UI 9 update on a Galaxy phone held in a hand
The One UI 9 update

If you use a Galaxy phone, you’re probably wondering about the One UI 9 update. It started with the Galaxy S26 series in September and has since expanded to the S25 and now the S24 series. This version is based on Google’s Android 17.

Galaxy AI, Samsung DeX and security features all change, and when you get it depends on your model and carrier.

Galaxy S26 on a store display stand
The Galaxy S26 was first to get One UI 9. Photo: Kyu3a / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

One UI 9 update schedule by Galaxy model

Samsung began rolling out the stable One UI 9 update with the Galaxy S26 series on Sept. 16, 2026. It reached the Galaxy S25 series in late September, and the Galaxy S24 series started getting it in early October.

Foldables are getting it in stages too. In the US, Galaxy S24 owners on T-Mobile and AT&T and unlocked Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 models started getting the stable version around Oct. 12, Android Authority reported.

Three Galaxy S26 series phones on a store table
The Galaxy S26 lineup. Photo: Striker9498 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Here are the main dates and download sizes from Samsung’s first rollout wave. US carrier models can follow a few days to weeks later.

ModelRolloutTypical download size
Galaxy S26 seriesFrom Sept. 16About 3.8–4.0GB
Galaxy S25 series (incl. Edge, FE)From late Sept.About 3.5–3.8GB
Galaxy S24 seriesFrom Oct. 6 (US: around Oct. 12)About 3.8–3.9GB
Galaxy Z Fold/Flip (7th gen)From late Sept.Varies by model
Galaxy Z Fold6, Flip6From Oct. 6 (US: around Oct. 12)About 3.5GB

In the US, SamMobile reported on Sept. 23 that the US was one of the first markets to get it and that the update was live for carrier-locked Galaxy S26 models. Carrier timing can vary, so check your phone if it hasn’t shown up yet.

The download size depends on the software you’re on now. If you joined the beta program, you only download the changed files, about 500MB on a Galaxy S24.

Coming from the stable One UI 8.5, though, you’ll download about 3.5 to 4.0GB. The Galaxy S23 series and some tablets are also eligible, but timing can vary by model and region.

Galaxy S26 Ultra showing Galaxy AI next to Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photo: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Galaxy AI: what’s new?

One UI 9 brings Galaxy AI into more situations. You can get suggestions that fit what’s on your screen without opening a separate AI app.

Galaxy S24 Ultra on a store display
Galaxy S24 Ultra on a store display. Photo: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The headline feature is Now Nudge. It reads what’s on screen and what you’re doing, then suggests the next step. When you’re making plans over text, it can pull up reservation details or prompt you to save a shared location. That saves copying and pasting between apps.

If you shoot or edit video a lot, My FanCam is worth knowing.

Hand holding a Galaxy S25 Ultra in a store
Galaxy S25 Ultra. Photo: Jakub CA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

In a video with lots of people, like a concert or a game, pick one person and AI follows their movement and keeps them centered. It’s handy for editing your kid’s recital or a performance around the person you care about.

Now Brief adds custom cards you can create and edit yourself. You can set up health, weather, video and other information the way you like.

Interpreter adds a Thread View so you can look back at earlier parts of the conversation. Translation in Conversation mode is faster, and translated audio reaches Galaxy Buds with less delay.

Hand holding a Galaxy Z Flip6 with the cover screen open
Galaxy Z Flip6. Photo: Miyako Fujimiya / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Creative Studio also suggests images to make for occasions like birthdays. Document scan can now flatten folded paper and curved book pages and erase fingers caught in the shot. That’s convenient if you often scan paper documents with your phone.

Privacy and security features

Privacy protection is better too. New security features let you see which permissions apps use and flag suspicious access. Privacy Alerts uses on-device AI to spot unnecessary permission access and privacy risks. It’s supported only on some devices, and it won’t catch every risk.

Galaxy Z Fold6 cover screen showing the time
Galaxy Z Fold6. Photo: Miyako Fujimiya / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Now Brief also adds Security Brief, which regularly summarizes malicious apps, apps from unknown sources and unnecessary permission use.

Back of a white Galaxy S26
Galaxy S26. Photo: 茅野ふたば / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Quick Panel, the quick settings screen, has changed too. The brightness and volume controls and the layout of frequently used settings are improved, so it’s easier to find what you need.

Display settings with the brightness slider on a Galaxy S26 Ultra
Brightness settings on a Galaxy S26 Ultra (Japanese model). Photo: Kyu3a / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Samsung DeX: a better PC-style workspace

Samsung DeX, which lets you use your phone with an external monitor, is improved as well. Connect to a monitor and DeX runs multiple apps in windows like a PC. Add a keyboard and mouse, and documents and web browsing get much easier.

Samsung phone docked and running Samsung DeX on a monitor with keyboard and mouse
Samsung DeX turns a monitor into a desktop. Photo: Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

One UI 9 improves the workspace with virtual desktops and better window management. Virtual desktops split your work into several spaces. For example, you can browse and write documents in one and keep messaging or work apps in another.

Samsung DeX desktop with several app windows on a Galaxy tablet
Multiple windows in Samsung DeX. Photo: KA KIT / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Window layout and the taskbar are improved too, which makes juggling several apps easier. That helps when you switch apps often or split the screen. If your external monitor supports up to WQHD (2560×1440), you can use a bigger workspace. Supported resolution and features can vary by Galaxy model and setup.

How to install One UI 9 (and what to check first)

Before updating, check your storage and battery. Since system files get replaced, free up at least 10GB of storage and charge the battery to at least 50%.

You can check for the update in Settings:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Software update.
  3. Tap Download and install.
Galaxy S26 showing its About phone settings screen
Check your software in Settings. Photo: 茅野ふたば / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

If a new version appears, follow the prompts to install it. If it hasn’t appeared yet, it may not have reached your model or carrier, so check again in a few days.

Right after installing, your phone may run warmer than usual or drain the battery faster. This can be temporary while the system cleans up data and optimizes apps, so give it a day or two and keep an eye on it.

Bottom line: what to check before you update

One UI 9 focuses less on design and more on features you use every day: Galaxy AI, security and Samsung DeX. With the rollout reaching the Galaxy S24 series, you can get new features without buying a new phone.

Back of a violet Galaxy S26 Ultra held in a hand
Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photo: Kyu3a / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Supported features and rollout timing can differ by model, so check before you install. If you haven’t seen the update notification yet, check for it manually in Settings.

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