Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Joins One UI 8 Beta Program – Everything You Need to Know
Samsung is closing the gap in its One UI 8 Beta expansion, and this time, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 finally enters the spotlight. Shortly after the Galaxy Z Flip 5 received access, the Z Fold 5 is now officially eligible for One UI 8 Beta enrollment via the Samsung Members app.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Gets One UI 8 Beta Program Enrollment |
The launch comes as no surprise since Samsung had previously scheduled September 2025 as the month for its foldable lineup to join the testing program. While yesterday’s expansion phase brought the beta to a wide range of Galaxy devices—including the S23 series, A36, A35, A55, and A54—the foldables were notably absent. Now, Samsung has corrected that, opening the doors for Z Fold 5 users to experience the future of Galaxy software before its stable release.
If you own a Galaxy Z Fold 5, this is your chance to become part of the Beta community and contribute to shaping Samsung’s next-generation user experience.
A Quick Recap of One UI 8 Beta Rollouts
Samsung’s One UI 8 Beta Program kicked off earlier this year with the Galaxy S25 series in May 2025. Since then, it has been progressively expanding across premium and mid-range devices.
-
August 2025: Beta launched for the Galaxy A55 and A54.
-
Late August 2025: Samsung confirmed the addition of Galaxy A35 and A36.
-
September 2025: The mega expansion phase rolled out Beta updates for S23, A-series devices, and the Flip 5.
-
Now: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 finally joins the testing program.
The only models left to be added in the U.S. are the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Tab S10 Ultra, which are expected to join the beta program in the coming days.
Why the Galaxy Z Fold 5 Beta Matters
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of Samsung’s most advanced foldable phones, released in July 2023. With its massive inner display, multitasking capabilities, and stylus support, it demands a highly optimized software experience.
Samsung knows that foldable users expect stability, efficiency, and smart AI-powered enhancements, which is why One UI 8 is crucial for this device. By launching the beta, Samsung ensures it can gather enough feedback from real-world Z Fold 5 users to fine-tune features before pushing the stable version.
Foldables also tend to require additional testing compared to slab smartphones. Their unique form factors, display transitions, and multitasking modes often reveal bugs not present on regular phones. This makes beta participation even more valuable for Galaxy Z Fold 5 users.
How to Join the One UI 8 Beta on Galaxy Z Fold 5
Enrolling in the beta program is straightforward, but you’ll need to act fast because slots are limited. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
-
Download or Update Samsung Members App
-
Open the Samsung Members app on your Galaxy Z Fold 5.
-
Ensure you are logged in with your Samsung account.
-
-
Look for the One UI 8 Beta Banner
-
On the app’s homepage, scroll down until you see the “Join One UI Beta Program” banner.
-
Tap on it to open the enrollment page.
-
-
Register for the Program
-
Read the terms and conditions carefully.
-
Confirm your participation by selecting Enroll.
-
-
Download the Beta Update
-
Once enrolled, head to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.
-
The first One UI 8 Beta update will appear over the air (OTA).
-
-
Provide Feedback
-
After installation, you’ll find a Beta Feedback option inside the Samsung Members app.
-
Report bugs, crashes, or unusual behavior to help Samsung improve the stable release.
-
What to Expect in One UI 8 for Galaxy Z Fold 5
While Samsung hasn’t fully revealed the official changelog yet, early beta users from other devices provide a glimpse of what’s coming.
1. Refined User Interface
One UI 8 introduces smoother animations, polished app transitions, and a refreshed visual design across the system. Foldable-specific tweaks, such as enhanced cover display usability and better split-screen layouts, are expected.
2. AI-Powered Features
Samsung continues to lean heavily into AI integration. Expect improvements in voice recognition, smart assistant features, and on-device AI that can summarize text, generate suggestions, and enhance multitasking.
3. Better Multitasking for Foldables
The Z Fold 5’s large display benefits from enhanced multi-window controls. One UI 8 is likely to refine drag-and-drop gestures, improve task continuity between cover and main screens, and offer new quick shortcuts for productivity.
4. Battery and Performance Optimizations
Foldables consume more power due to dual displays. Samsung is adding smarter power management tools in One UI 8, ensuring a balance between performance and battery life.
5. New Privacy and Security Enhancements
Samsung is bundling the September 2025 security patch with Beta updates. Expect more control over app permissions, improved private sharing, and enhanced Samsung Knox protection.
Limited Slots – Why You Should Act Fast
Samsung restricts Beta Program enrollment to a limited number of users per region. Once the quota is filled, new registrations are closed.
Joining early gives you:
-
First-hand access to One UI 8 before stable release.
-
The chance to influence Samsung’s final software design.
-
Time to test features and decide if you want to stay in the beta or wait for stable.
If you delay, you may need to wait until the stable rollout, which for the Z Fold 5 is expected sometime in late November 2025 after the S25 series gets its first stable update.
Stable Rollout Timeline
Samsung typically releases stable One UI versions in phases. Here’s the likely schedule based on past trends:
-
September 2025: Beta testing for Z Fold 5 begins.
-
October 2025: More beta updates with bug fixes and refinements.
-
Late November 2025: Stable One UI 8 rollout begins for foldables.
-
December 2025 – January 2026: Wider rollout across all eligible Galaxy models.
This aligns with Samsung’s strategy of first updating flagship devices (S25, S24, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5) before expanding to older models and mid-range phones.
Tips for Galaxy Z Fold 5 Beta Testers
If you’re signing up for the One UI 8 Beta, keep these points in mind:
-
Back Up Your Data – Beta software can be unstable and may cause crashes. Use Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch before installation.
-
Expect Bugs – This is unfinished software. Some apps may not function correctly.
-
Stay Updated – Beta participants receive frequent patches. Install them promptly for improvements.
-
Share Feedback – Use the Members app to report issues. Your input helps Samsung fix problems faster.
-
Know How to Exit – If the beta feels too unstable, you can withdraw from the program and revert to the latest stable firmware using Smart Switch.
Future of Samsung Foldables with One UI 8
The One UI 8 Beta on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is more than just a test—it’s a preview of Samsung’s foldable future. As AI features become more deeply integrated, users can expect smarter suggestions, more natural productivity flows, and better use of the foldable form factor.
Samsung is clearly preparing to make One UI 8 the foundation for its next generation of foldables, especially with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 expected in 2026. The current beta testing will ensure these devices launch with highly refined software from day one.
Conclusion
With the Galaxy Z Fold 5 finally joining the One UI 8 Beta Program, Samsung is one step closer to completing its September rollout plan. Users now have the opportunity to test the new interface, AI features, and foldable optimizations before the stable release arrives later this year.
The Samsung Members app remains the gateway to enrollment, and with limited slots available, Z Fold 5 owners should act quickly if they want to be part of the beta journey.
One UI 8 is shaping up to be a major milestone in Samsung’s software evolution, setting the stage for even more seamless, intelligent, and foldable-friendly Galaxy experiences in the near future.