One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S25 is ready: Update brings AirDrop support and more

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One UI 8.5, Samsung's second major update based on Android 16, is ready for existing models: The update first appeared in February with the Galaxy S26 series ex works. Now, almost five months after the start of the beta phase and about ten preview versions, it is available for installation for the Galaxy S25 series. Devices in South Korea are getting it first, and according to the manufacturer, it will be rolled out in this country starting May 11.

Over the following weeks, the update will be distributed to other Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Among other things, some models will receive AirDrop support. But there's more to it.

Design, Photo Assist and Auracast

According to Samsung, the One UI 8.5 update brings “new features for more user-friendliness, productivity, privacy, and performance throughout the Galaxy ecosystem.” On the user interface side, the update brings some changes: The home screen and lock screen can be customized more extensively. According to Samsung, app icons, shortcuts, folders, and widgets can be placed more freely in different sizes. The lock screen can be personalized with clock designs, widgets, and “individual styles.” Users can also choose the font and color of the clock themselves; optionally, One UI offers automatic design adjustment with the “Stretch Clock” function.

Other innovations prominently mentioned by Samsung include an updated Photo Assist function for “uninterrupted image editing with editing history” and an optimized Quick Share. According to Samsung, the function allows users to recognize contacts in photos and suggest sharing with them. Furthermore, Galaxy users can also send content to Apple's AirDrop via Quick Share – i.e., to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. According to Samsung, AirDrop support is expected to land on at least the Galaxy S24 and S25 series, as well as the foldables Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Connection options are also to be improved: With the “Audio Broadcast” feature, communication between nearby LE Audio-supported devices will be possible in the future using Auracast. In addition to sharing audio content from media sources, users can also transmit their voice via the integrated microphone of their Galaxy smartphone – according to Samsung, this is “ideal for group situations such as tours or events,” as a kind of walkie-talkie.

Another One UI 8.5 feature is “Storage Share.” This allows files from other Galaxy devices – including tablets and PCs – to be displayed directly in the “My Files” app. The devices must be logged into the same Samsung account and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Users can access the smartphone's files from other Samsung devices – including the TV – if desired.

Security

One UI 8.5 also brings new features in terms of security: The update is intended to improve device protection and give users more control over their security settings. The manufacturer is also expanding theft protection and protecting smartphones and their data in case of loss or theft.

Another new protection is device lockout upon failed authentication: It automatically locks the screen if too many failed attempts to verify identity via fingerprint, PIN, or password have been made.

“Galaxy AI” and “Awesome Intelligence”

New Galaxy AI features are also included in the update: In addition to Photo Assist, three more AI features from the Galaxy S26 will land on the S25 and possibly also on older devices. However, not all of them are likely to make it to older Galaxy devices.

For the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung offers the “Advanced Audio Eraser,” which allows disturbing background noises to be removed afterward. However, the “Advanced Audio Eraser” is not intended for your videos from the camera but can reduce noise in apps like YouTube or Instagram.

With the “Call Screening” feature, incoming calls can be answered by AI instead of by you. The local AI on the Galaxy device then asks callers for their name and the purpose of their call. Finally, at the end of the call, users receive a recording along with a transcript. Google offers something similar for its Pixel devices under the name Call Screen.

The third AI innovation is the “Creative Studio,” an app that allows users to design stickers, wallpapers, and profile cards. It can also optimize sketches using AI and create content using prompts. Not all AI functions will make it to all existing models, and the models in the Galaxy A series will receive a reduced range of features that the manufacturer calls “Awesome Intelligence.”

Which Galaxy devices will receive One UI 8.5?

Samsung will equip many of its current and slightly older Galaxy models with the update to One UI 8.5. First and foremost, the company will likely update those that were already part of the beta program. These include, in addition to the Galaxy S25 series, the Galaxy S24 and S23 series, as well as Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the older foldables Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. The Galaxy S23 FE and newer versions of the FE series are also update candidates. Many models in the A series will also receive the new One UI version – among the first should be the Galaxy A36 5G, which is part of the beta program. The mid-range models Galaxy A37 and A57 are already equipped with the finished One UI 8.5 – but still without AirDrop support.

Experience shows that Samsung does not take much time to supply all compatible Galaxy smartphones and tablets. With the update to One UI 8, compatible Galaxy devices were supplied with the update within a few weeks. Samsung cannot afford to let too much time pass with the distribution, as the next update is already on the horizon. Google is close to completing Android 17 – and if Samsung sticks to the 2025 update cycle, One UI 9 could already be available as the first beta in May, while the foldables expected in July could be equipped with the major update ex works.

Samsung has published a list of update candidates in its announcement:

Galaxy S Series (Top Models & Fan Editions)

• Galaxy S25 Series: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra and S25 FE
• Galaxy S24 Series: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra and S24 FE
• Galaxy S23 Series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra and S23 FE

Galaxy Z Series (Foldables)

• Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7
• Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6
• Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5

Galaxy Tab S Series (Tablets)

• Galaxy Tab S11 Series (e.g., Tab S11, S11 Ultra)
• Galaxy Tab S10 Series (e.g., Tab S10+, S10 Ultra)
• Galaxy Tab S9 Series (e.g., Tab S9, S9+, S9 Ultra, S9 FE)

Galaxy A Series (Entry-level and Mid-range)

Models from the last three generations will receive the update – i.e., from the years 2024 to 2026:

• Galaxy A57, A37, A27, A17 (One UI 8.5 ex works)
• Galaxy A56, A36, A26, A16
• Galaxy A55, A35, A25, A15

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