Samsung Expands the One UI 8.5 Beta Program to More Galaxy Devices
Samsung has announced that it is expanding the One UI 8.5 beta program to more Galaxy devices, giving a wider group of users early access to the company’s next major software experience. According to Samsung Newsroom, the beta expansion follows the March rollout and now includes additional models such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy S23 FE and, for the first time in the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A36 5G.
The rollout is being handled in phases and is available only in selected markets, including India, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. This expansion shows that Samsung does not intend to limit One UI 8.5 only to its newest flagship devices. Instead, the company is gradually bringing key software improvements to older premium phones and even selected mid-range models.
Quick Share with AirDrop Support Is the Biggest One UI 8.5 Change
The most important feature in this phase of the One UI 8.5 beta is the addition of AirDrop support through Quick Share. Samsung says the feature is being introduced as part of its ongoing collaboration with Android, with the goal of making cross-platform file sharing easier between Galaxy devices and Apple products.
This means eligible Galaxy users will be able to share files, photos and videos more smoothly with devices such as iPhone, iPad and Mac. For years, file sharing between Android and Apple ecosystems has been less seamless than transfers within the same platform. By adding AirDrop support to Quick Share, Samsung is taking a major step toward reducing one of the most visible gaps between Galaxy phones and Apple devices.
Which Galaxy Devices Get AirDrop Support Through Quick Share?
According to Samsung, AirDrop support in Quick Share is enabled on One UI 8.5 beta for selected Galaxy devices. The listed models include the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6.
This means that not every device included in the expanded beta program will necessarily receive full AirDrop support at this stage. Samsung also notes that the feature is currently available on the Galaxy S26 series, while availability and timing may vary by market. Users should therefore consider not only their device model, but also their country, software build and beta eligibility status.
New Devices Added to the One UI 8.5 Beta Program
In the latest beta expansion, Samsung has added the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy A36 5G. The inclusion of the Galaxy A36 5G is especially notable because it is the first Galaxy A series model to join the One UI 8.5 beta program.
However, access is not the same in every country. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 are supported only in Korea and the United States, while the Galaxy A36 5G is supported only in India. This confirms that the One UI 8.5 beta rollout remains highly regional and dependent on market-specific availability.
One UI 8.5 Is More Than a Visual Update
One UI 8.5 should be seen as one of Samsung’s more important mid-cycle updates because its focus goes beyond cosmetic interface changes. Samsung is using this release to improve the overall Galaxy experience through better device connectivity, smarter file sharing, enhanced system tools and deeper integration with the Android ecosystem.
The addition of Quick Share support for AirDrop is especially important from this perspective. Galaxy users have long faced friction when sending files quickly to Apple devices. If this feature works reliably in the stable release, it could become one of the most practical improvements in One UI 8.5.
Registration Is Available Through Samsung Members
Eligible users can register for the One UI 8.5 beta program through the Samsung Members app. As with other Samsung beta programs, availability depends on device model, country, carrier, software version and program capacity. This means not all users will see the beta registration banner at the same time.
Because beta software may include bugs, instability, app compatibility issues or unusual battery behavior, it is best suited for users who actively want to test new features before the final release. Users who rely on their phone for work, payments, travel or critical daily tasks may prefer to wait for the stable version.
Conclusion: Samsung Moves Closer to Real Cross-Ecosystem Sharing
The expansion of the One UI 8.5 beta program shows that Samsung is moving quickly to bring its latest software features to a broader range of Galaxy users. The addition of devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, S23 FE and A36 5G makes the beta program more accessible than before.
Still, the biggest development is AirDrop support inside Quick Share. If Samsung can deliver this feature smoothly in the final release, One UI 8.5 could become more than another routine software update. It could mark one of Samsung’s most important steps toward breaking down the wall between the Android and Apple ecosystems.
