Samsung has finally released the stable One UI 8.5 update after beta-testing it for over five months. The new update is now hitting older eligible Galaxy devices worldwide. If the update has landed on your Galaxy phone or tablet, you are in for a treat. From a smarter AI assistant to easier file sharing and improved productivity, here are the top One UI 8.5 features you should check out.
1. A highly customizable Quick Panel
The Quick Panel is now more customizable than ever. You can add or remove any shortcut, resize toggles, and change the layout of the display brightness and volume sliders. Don't want Modes and Nearby Devices toggles? You can remove them altogether.
If you use Good Lock’s QuickStar module, you can even add custom background images to your Quick Panel items.
2. A smarter Bixby we've been waiting for
Bixby has received a massive intelligence upgrade thanks to large language models (LLMs) that now power the AI assistant. It can now understand complex, natural language requests and quickly surface relevant device settings or features. So, it works even when you don't remember exact voice commands.
It also includes a conversation history feature, bringing it in line with the experience of using ChatGPT or Gemini apps.
Additionally, with Perplexity integration, Bixby can pull real-time information from the web to answer your questions more accurately.
3. Seamless wireless file sharing with Apple devices via AirDrop support
One UI 8.5 makes Quick Share compatible with Apple’s AirDrop. You can now wirelessly transfer files from your Galaxy phone to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and vice versa. This eliminates a long-standing barrier that has existed between Android and Apple devices for over a decade, making it effortless to share photos, videos, and files with friends and family, regardless of their preferred platform.
You can read our full guide on how to share files between Galaxy and Apple devices by clicking here.
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4. Even more lock screen customizations
Samsung has always offered impressive customization options for the home screen and the lock screen. With One UI 8.5, it is offering even more lock screen customization options.
When you use a photo featuring people or pets, the system automatically adjusts the subject's placement around your clock and widgets for a perfect fit. You can also preview and apply live weather effects directly from the wallpaper preview screen.
Samsung has introduced new interactive wallpapers, which you can find and download from the Wallpapers menu.
5. A built-in time zone converter
If your workflow requires tracking multiple regions, you no longer need a third-party app. The stock Clock app in One UI 8.5 now features an integrated time zone converter. By using a simple slider in the app's World Clock section, you can instantly calculate the time difference between two different locations.
6. Partial screen recording is now possible
If you want to capture only a specific portion of your screen, One UI 8.5 introduces partial screen recording. Previously, you had to record the entire display and crop the video later to hide sensitive information. Now, you can select the exact area you want to capture before hitting record, saving time and protecting your privacy.
7. Persistent DeX window layouts
Samsung DeX has received a subtle but highly requested improvement. App windows now remember their exact position and size from your previous session. This eliminates the need to manually rearrange and resize windows every time you launch DeX.
8. Temporary Auto Blocker suspension
While Auto Blocker is excellent for device security because it prevents unauthorized APK sideloading, it can be an obstacle when you need to install a legitimate app update that is not yet available in your region. One UI 8.5 solves this by allowing you to temporarily disable Auto Blocker for a few minutes.
Once you finish installing your APK file, the security feature automatically reactivates itself after 30 minutes if you have enabled the Turn on automatically toggle in Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker.
9. Cross-device file browsing with Storage Share
The new Storage Share feature lets you browse and access files across all your Samsung ecosystem devices. You can view files from one Galaxy phone or tablet on another. You can also browse files stored on your Galaxy phone on a Samsung TV.
This saves your time and effort, as you don't have to use a USB drive or a microSD card to transfer files from one device to another or share them via Quick Share if you just want to view them temporarily.
10. A full-fledged, intelligent Document Scanner
The built-in document scanner in the Camera app is significantly more powerful in One UI 8.5. It now supports multipage scanning and allows you to save documents as either JPEGs or PDFs. The software automatically removes fingers, shadows, and paper clips/pins from the frame, straightens images captured from skewed angles, and offers built-in filters to enhance text clarity.
You can add a Document Scanner shortcut to your phone's app drawer or home screen. Check out how to use One UI 8.5's built-in document scanner by clicking here.
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