Samsung's One UI 8.5 stable rollout begins today in Korea, and the update is unusually big for a mid-cycle release. The headline feature: AirDrop compatibility through Quick Share, letting Galaxy users receive files directly from iPhones and Macs. The update closes a four-month beta cycle that started with the Galaxy S25 series and ran through 10 beta builds. Samsung technically shipped One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26 series in February, but today's rollout brings it to the broader lineup.
One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16, building on the foundation set by One UI 8.0 with design refinements and additional Galaxy AI tools like "Now Nudge" inside Samsung Keyboard.
Beyond AirDrop support, the update delivers a fully customizable Quick Panel, Auracast audio broadcasts over Bluetooth, a lockscreen that adapts to your wallpaper, upgrades to the Weather app and homescreen widget, a temporary disable option for Auto Blocker, power saving improvements, partial screen recording, and DeX remembering window sizes.
First-wave devices include the Galaxy S25 series (Ultra, Plus, Edge, and FE), alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the new Galaxy Z TriFold. Samsung confirmed a second batch covering the Galaxy S24 series, S24 FE, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S10 series. The surprise is mid-range support. Samsung confirmed Galaxy A-series devices from the last three generations, going back to 2023 models, will receive the update.
Some flagship-exclusive AI features won't make the cut, but broad eligibility means millions of additional users get Galaxy AI tools.
Korea gets the update first today, May 6. Global markets including North America, Europe, India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia follow on May 11.
Beta participants will see a smaller download; everyone else should expect a several-gigabyte update available through Settings > Software update.
