Samsung’s One UI skin of Android has come a long way. From improvements in performance, features, customization, and security, with Samsung’s One UI 8 based on Android 16 rolling out to eligible Samsung smartphones, Samsung is now gearing up to push out One UI 8.5. Yes, you might have seen several screenshots of One UI 8.5 circulating around the internet.
However, what’s interesting is that there’s a leaked build of the One UI 8.5 beta that you can now download and test out on your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. So, if you were wondering what’s coming with One UI 8.5 and also looking for the steps on how you can install the One UI 8.5 beta on your Galaxy S25 Ultra, you’ve come to the right place.
Installing One UI 8.5 beta on the Galaxy S25 Ultra
As of now, the only leaked One UI 8.5 beta is for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. So, if you are someone who wants to test out the new One UI 8.5 beta on your S25 Ultra, here’s what you need to do.
Backup Your Data
Taking a backup of your data is very important. While you might not lose data when installing the One UI 8.5 beta, it’s always best to have a copy of your data stored elsewhere in case you run into an issue with your device, and you have no option other than performing a reset.
You can copy your data either to your PC or laptop via the USB cable, or, if you have enough cloud storage space, you can upload all the data to the cloud. Once your data is backed up, it’s time to download the leaked One UI 85 beta.
Download the Leaked One UI 8.5 beta firmware
Make sure that you are downloading the beta file from a reputable and trusted source. For this download, you can make use of the link that has been provided by AndroidSage. Download the zip file and save it to your PC.
Download the ADB Drivers and Platform Tools
There are necessary files that you will need if you want to sideload the One UI 8.5 beta to your S25 Ultra.
Setting the ADB and Platform Tools
Extract the ADB tools zip file that you have downloaded and install it on your PC. Now, extract the Platform tools folder to a place that you can easily remember, such as the desktop.
Sideloading the One UI 8.5 Beta to Your S25 Ultra
- Switch off your Galaxy S2 Ultra and connect the USB-C cable to it.
- Keep the power button and the volume up button pressed when connecting the cable to your PC.
- Release both buttons once you see the recovery menu on your screen.
- Press the Volume Down button to highlight the Apply Update from ADB option.
- Now press the Power button to select the option.
- Open the folder that has the extracted contents of Platform Tools.
- Type CMD in the address bar of the Platform Tools folder and hit the Enter key.
- When Command Prompt opens on your screen, type in adb devices and hit the enter key to check if your device is connected and detected by your PC.
- When it displays your phone details, type in adb sideload and make sure to drag the downloaded beta zip file into Command Prompt.
- The beta One UI 8.5 firmware is now being sideloaded to your Galaxy S25 Ultra.
- Do not move your phone or remove the cable. Leave the phone and your PC until the process has been completed.
- When your phone reboots into One UI 8.5, remove the cable from your device and your PC
You now have One UI 8.5 beta running on your Galaxy S25 Ultra. As expected with the beta versions of the software, you might run into some bugs or even some features that may not work as intended.
Installing One UI 8.5 Beta for Galaxy S25 Ultra (US Variant)
If you have a US variant of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, namely the S938U, you will have to download this leaked build of One UI 8.5 beta. The beta build in question for the US-based S25 Ultra is the CJY1 build. You can download the zip file for this build by heading here. The file size is 3 GB.
- Download and Install Shizuku from the Google Play Store.
- Additionally, you need to install Root Activity Launcher from the Google Play Store.
- Download the beta zip file and save it to the root directory of your device’s internal storage.
- Launch the Shizuka app and make sure to enable it to use it with the Root Activity launcher app.
- Open the Developer Options menu from the Settings app on your S25 Ultra and make sure to switch the wireless debugging option on.
- Open the Shizuka app and enter the 6-digit pin for wireless debugging.
- Next, open the Root Activity Launcher app and search for the Software Update activity.
- Make sure to allow Root Activity Launcher to get access to the Shizuka app.
- Under the Software Update activities option, search and launch the Admin MainActivity.
- Choose the Sideload option and select the .zip file that you downloaded to your device.
- The zip file will now be flashed and installed.
- Once your device reboots after the installation, you should have the leaked beta of One UI 8.5 running on your S25 Ultra.
One UI 8.5: What’s New With Samsung’s Next One UI Update?
Well, the update will continue with the current Android 16 OS as the base and also comes with the security patch update for October 2025. While we saw One UI & as a major upgrade from One UI 6 in terms of UI, features, and customization, nothing much was seen when upgrading from One UI 7 to One UI 8. This is where One UI 8.5 shines. Let’s look at what’s new with One UI 8.5.
However, to install the latest beta for One UI 8.5 on the US-based S25 Ultra, you will require two apps, and there is no need to use a PC to sideload or install this beta. Here’s what you will need to do.
Quick Settings Panel Customization
With One UI 7 and One UI 8, you could customize a few elements of the quick panel screen. Now with One UI 8.5, you have the freedom to move around the different panel blocks where you like. Additionally, you can also resize the panels to your convenience. The shortcut icons on the Quick Panel can also be moved around, which is perfect for those who quickly want to tap on a shortcut without having to navigate through the whole Quick Panel screen.
So, if you wanted to replicate your Quick Panel like the control center on iOS 26, you can definitely give that a try with One UI 8.5
Phone App (Dialer) Improvements
There are small yet subtle improvements to the Phone app in One UI 8.5. With a reduction in visual clutter, Samsung has decided to clean up the interface and make it easy to switch between the dial pad, contacts, and your recent calls. There’s nothing wrong with the current One UI 8 dialer but, having small improvements like these help with better UI experience, there will also be new animations and graphics that will match with the overall One UI 8 and One UI 8. Experience.
I do hope they change the default video wallpaper for calls, since it has been the same from One UI 6 to One UI 8.
New App Icons
The stock app icons have seen a change with One UI 7 in terms of colors and saturations. Now, with One UI 8.5, we can expect to see a more 3D-like effect to them. 3D effect icons have always been a thing, especially if you made use of third-party icon packs. Now that Samsung is bringing in the 3D icons to the home screen, you should be able to make some tweaks via Samsung’s GoodLock customization module- HomeUp.
One UI App Lock
Yes, one of the most requested features since the reveal of One UI 7 was the app lock feature. Given how robust Samsung’s stock apps and features are, users will be more than happy to move over to the built-in app locker instead of relying on the secure folder option from Samsung or third-party app lockers.
Weather App Enhancements
The weather app for One UI 8 was updated to feature a cleaner interface and new animations. Now, with One UI 8.5, we can expect refined animations, graphics, and even additional weather details. The weather app has become an essential tool for anyone planning their day outside.
AI Integration and Optimization
Samsung has been using its Galaxy AI suite of tools to bring AI to its smartphones. As always, Samsung, with the new One UI 8.5 update, will bring in an enhanced and improved audio cleaner that can help you remove noise from the background and enhance voice clarity. We should also be seeing more AI suggestions via some Samsung first-party apps, such as the Gallery app, the stock keyboard app, and the apps that might not have any AI integrations.
Other Visual Enhancements and Improvements
Apart from the changes listed above, you can also expect overall performance improvements and enhancements that Samsung continues to make with its One UI skin. We should see improvements in widgets, the lock screen, the Home app, and other minor elements around the whole One UI skin.
Closing Thoughts
This concludes everything you need to know about the new One UI 8.5 beta that has been leaked and can be installed on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Do note that this is only for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and not for other models in the S25 series or even the S24 series. It is recommended that you wait for the official One UI 8.5 update that is expected to be released towards the end of November 2025.
What are your thoughts about the middle update to One UI 8.5? Are you excited about the new features for it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
