One UI 8

AppWizard
July 23, 2025
Samsung's Now Bar feature, initially introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, has expanded to the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip with the One UI 8 update. As of June 2025, it supports approximately 20 applications, including those from Samsung, Google, and third-party developers, with plans to increase this number to 35 by the end of 2025. The expansion is enabled by a new API in One UI 8 based on Android 16, allowing applications to create “Live Notifications.” Current compatible applications include various Samsung apps (e.g., Media Player, Notes, SmartThings TV Remote), Google apps (e.g., Google Maps), and third-party apps (e.g., Uber, Waymo). Samsung's documentation lists 19 specific applications but suggests a 20th app is forthcoming.
AppWizard
July 23, 2025
Samsung is updating its Good Lock toolkit to ensure compatibility with the One UI 8 update. Home Up has been refined to allow users to customize app launch animations, enhancing the experience beyond what was available in One UI 7. The update includes new tools for the DIY Home Screen feature, such as alignment guides, item grouping options, and a “Page Indicator Hiding” toggle. Users can now also enjoy horizontal scrolling for app sorting. MultiStar, NavStar, and QuickStar have been updated to align with One UI 8, introducing features like a “Launcher widget” for the cover screen. Additionally, two new multi-window settings have been added for devices with multi-window support, including a quick-access icon for flipping screen orientations and toggling between aspect ratios in portrait mode.
AppWizard
July 18, 2025
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first non-Pixel smartphone to support Google's Linux Terminal app, which allows users to run Linux programs within a virtual machine. This feature is not available on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Terminal app operates on a modified version of Debian within the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), introduced with Android 13 and categorized as an Android 16 feature for Samsung devices. The app's availability is dependent on specific technical requirements related to the chipset; the Galaxy Z Flip 7 uses the Exynos 2500, which supports the necessary non-protected virtual machine, while the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 use the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is limited to secure virtual machines. Future updates from Qualcomm may address this limitation. The Terminal app currently does not support graphical applications, but there are indications that such features may be developed in the future.
AppWizard
July 17, 2025
Gemini has begun its phased rollout on Android watches equipped with Wear OS 4 and above. It offers improved natural language command recognition and tailored responses from Google's Search LLM, allowing users to interact seamlessly with Google and Samsung applications. Gemini can create Google Calendar reminders and YouTube Music playlists through voice commands. It provides specific examples in response to queries, such as suggesting foods rich in carotenoids, and can deliver concise answers to spontaneous inquiries. Gemini efficiently pulls data from Search and Maps for tasks like finding local theater showtimes and creating calendar entries. Users can select default applications for tasks, enhancing speed and functionality. Battery consumption is manageable, with only about 20% used during a full afternoon of heavy use. However, it occasionally misinterprets commands and could benefit from brevity in responses. A "View on phone" button and better recognition of speech completion would improve user experience. Support for the new One UI 8 Watch Tile format could enhance functionality further.
AppWizard
July 16, 2025
Samsung has addressed a vulnerability in its Secure Folder feature that previously allowed individuals with physical access to a device to view hidden apps and photos. This flaw arose from the Secure Folder being classified as a "work profile," which certain system components did not recognize as secure. With the release of One UI 8, Samsung has reclassified Secure Folder as a "private" profile, ensuring it is treated as a secure space by Google’s components. This change prevents unauthorized access to its contents, but the Secure Folder must be fully hidden for enhanced protection. However, it currently does not integrate with third-party launchers, as Samsung has not yet implemented the necessary APIs for compatibility.
AppWizard
July 12, 2025
In the latest Android Canary release, users can experience a new 90/10 split-screen ratio, allowing a primary application to occupy 90% of the screen while a secondary app takes up 10%. This feature complements the existing 70/30 split-screen configuration. Users can easily swap the two applications with a tap. The 90:10 split-screen option was officially launched in July's Android Canary release and has been part of Android 16's source code. It is being implemented in various Android 16-based operating systems, including Samsung's One UI 8. The feature was inspired by OPPO’s Boundless View multitasking system, although OPPO did not directly contribute to it.
AppWizard
July 3, 2025
Samsung is enhancing the security features of its Galaxy smartphones through the Knox security framework, particularly with the Secure Folder that requires additional authentication for sensitive content. The recent One UI 8 update introduces new controls for quick access to the Secure Folder, including the ability to hide the folder and associated apps. A new setting allows users to manage whether apps in the Secure Folder appear as sharing options in other applications, enabling content sharing from standard apps to those secured within the folder. The beta version of One UI 8, based on Android 16, has received positive feedback, with a significant release rolling out recently. Official announcements regarding the stable release are anticipated shortly after July 9.
AppWizard
July 3, 2025
Samsung is enhancing its One UI 8 experience by integrating the Live Notifications feature with Android 16's "Live Updates" API, allowing broader third-party app support for live notifications. This upgrade will enable real-time updates from various compatible applications, moving beyond the previous limitation of primarily supporting Samsung's own apps. The feature was initially introduced with One UI 7 and is set to expand significantly in One UI 8. The One UI 8 beta has shown a developer option for "Live notifications for all apps," which allows Live Updates to appear in the status bar and Now Bar. Currently, no public apps support Live Updates, and testing requires Google's sample app. It is expected that users will not need to toggle a developer option for the feature in the final release of One UI 8.
AppWizard
June 13, 2025
Samsung has released One UI 8 Beta 2 for the Galaxy S25 series, which includes bug fixes and feature refinements. A new feature called Call Captions, part of the One UI 8 ZYF5 build, is designed to convert spoken words into text in real time, aiding users with hearing impairments. This feature allows users to read transcribed text during calls and is particularly useful in noisy environments. Screenshots of the feature have been shared, although it is still in early development and may not be fully stable.
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