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Samsung kicks off One UI (Android Pie) update for beta users (Update: Now in US!)
Update, November 15 at 3:10 p.m. ET: One UI beta signups are now rolling out to U.S. Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus users. If you live in the U.S., you should see an option on the home screen of the Samsung+ app titled “One UI Beta.” Click on that and register your device.
Once you’re registered, you should be able to download the OTA update by heading to Settings>Software update>Download updates manually.
Original article, November 15 at 7:35 a.m. ET: Samsung has opened the beta program for One UI, based on Android 9 Pie.
Currently available in South Korea and potentially other countries, the beta program lets regular users test drive the new software, which will replace Samsung’s skin on the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus and a slew of other devices.
Read Next: Here’s how to join the Samsung One UI beta program
Some users in South Korea are reportedly already using the new One UI, which Samsung first teased during its Developer Conference last week.
As reported by SamMobile, users in Germany and the U.S. are expected to be able to join the beta soon, though an exact timeframe isn’t available yet.
If you have a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9 Plus and want to test out One UI, you can join the program from the Samsung Members app, which should have been pre-installed on your device out of the box. After you open the app and accept the terms, check out the Notices section in the left-side hamburger menu. If the beta program is available to you, you should see a notification allowing you to join. After you sign up, you’ll be able to check for the system update from your phone’s settings section.
In past years, Samsung opened up a limited number of slots for its Android update beta program. In other words, don’t hesitate too much once you get the availability notice.
One UI brings sweeping changes to the software that was once known as TouchWiz. These include a system-wide dark theme, a design paradigm that caters to modern, tall form factor devices, and a refreshed visual language that favor rounded corners. The settings have also been simplified, and Samsung apps will adopt a bottom navigation bar to facilitate one-handed use.
The first incarnation of One UI is based on Android 9 Pie and includes many of the under-the-hood features in this major release. Samsung confirmed to Android Authority that the new software will be made available to the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and Note 8, in addition to this year’s crop of Samsung flagships.
Keep an eye on your Samsung Members app and let us know if you got the update.