Samsung’s One UI 9 update, based on Android 17, started reaching Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra phones in the US on September 23, 2026, beginning with T-Mobile. By early October it had spread to other carriers and unlocked phones.
To check, open Settings → Software update → Download and install. Back up first, use Wi-Fi, and make sure you have about 5 GB of free storage.
Samsung announced the official rollout on September 16, 2026, starting with the Galaxy S26 series in South Korea. The Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Flip8 already shipped with it. Samsung says the update will “gradually roll out” to other Galaxy devices, but it hasn’t published a US schedule.
Where the US rollout stands
| Carrier | Status (as of October 3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile | Rolling out | First in the US, from September 23 |
| US Cellular | Rolling out | Listed on Samsung’s firmware pages by September 28 |
| Verizon | Rolling out | Verizon lists the S26 Ultra update as released on 09/28/2026 |
| AT&T | Reported, not confirmed | Owners report receiving it; we couldn’t find an official listing |
| Unlocked (US) | Rolling out | Reached beta testers first from about September 28 |
The US firmware carries a build number ending in BZID and the September 2026 security patch. Reports put the full download at about 4.1 GB. Phones that were in the beta program get a much smaller update of roughly 650 MB.
How to install the One UI 9 update
- Back up: Settings → Accounts and backup → Back up data (Samsung Cloud), or make sure Google backup is on.
- Charge to at least 50% and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings → Software update and tap Download and install. On some carrier models the menu is called System updates and the button Check for system updates.
- When the download finishes, tap Install now. The phone restarts and can’t be used, even for emergency calls, until the install is done.
You can also update with Samsung’s Smart Switch app on a Windows PC or Mac: connect the phone by USB, open Smart Switch and select Update if one is offered.
What’s new in One UI 9
Samsung’s announcement highlights My FanCam, which keeps a chosen person centred in your videos; Now Brief cards you can generate and edit; Now Nudge suggestions in more places; event-based images in Creative Studio; a thread view in Interpreter; Document Scan for curved pages; structured summaries in Voice Recorder; and Security Brief and Privacy Alerts. Settings also gains a Warranty and Care section. Some features vary by country, carrier and model. Our One UI 9 features guide shows how to use the best ones.
If it doesn’t show up yet
- Staged rollouts reach phones in waves. Check again in a day or two.
- Carrier phones wait for each carrier’s approval, which is why the same model can get it on different days.
- Install any pending One UI 8.5 update first; the phone has to be on the latest build before it’s offered the next one.
- Short on space? The download needs several gigabytes free. See how to free up storage on a Galaxy phone.
Which Galaxy phones are next?
Outside the US, Samsung began pushing One UI 9 to the Galaxy S25 series and the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 in late September, in limited markets so far. Samsung hasn’t confirmed dates for US models beyond the S26 series, and older flagships such as the S24 are expected later.
After updating
Expect some extra battery use and warmth for two or three days while the phone re-optimizes apps and re-indexes files. If it lasts longer, work through our One UI 9 battery drain checklist. More Galaxy news and guides are in our Android section.
FAQ
Is One UI 9 free?
Yes. Samsung software updates are free. Ignore any app or website that asks you to pay for it or download it from outside Settings or Smart Switch.
How big is the download?
Reports put it at about 4.1 GB for most Galaxy S26 phones in the US, and around 650 MB for phones that were in the beta. Use Wi-Fi.
Can I skip or postpone it?
You can postpone it from the update notification, but it also contains security fixes, so install it within a few weeks.
Will my Galaxy S24 or S25 get One UI 9?
Samsung says it will reach more Galaxy devices gradually. The S25 series has started getting it in some countries; check Samsung’s announcements for your model.
