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Door staff@engadget.com (Luke James) - 08 Nov 2026
To sign up for the beta, you'll need a Samsung account and the Samsung Members app, which you can download from the Galaxy Store or Google Play. Once the beta itself goes live, you'll simply need to open Samsung Members, tap the One UI 9.5 banner or beta card on the home screen and select Registration for One UI Beta Program. If your phone and country qualify, Samsung will enrol you. From there, head to Settings > Software update > Download and install to get the beta. Samsung rolls builds out gradually, so don't panic if it doesn't show up immediately.
Before installing the beta, you should update all your apps and back up your phone to a computer with Smart Switch, since beta software can corrupt your data. If you come across any bugs, you can report them through Samsung Members > Participated Beta test > Beta feedback > Send feedback.
Exiting the beta is the more awkward part. You can withdraw by navigating via Samsung Members > Settings > Beta program settings > Withdraw from beta program, but that doesn't remove the beta build itself. Instead, you'll need to plug your phone into a computer and use Smart Switch to run a Downgrade, which will wipe everything you've done during testing. If you choose to stay on the beta, you'll get the finished One UI 9.5 as a normal update, whenever that is. So, if your S26 is your only phone and you don't keep regular backups, it's worth sitting this one out and waiting for the stable release.
Before installing the beta, you should update all your apps and back up your phone to a computer with Smart Switch, since beta software can corrupt your data. If you come across any bugs, you can report them through Samsung Members > Participated Beta test > Beta feedback > Send feedback.
Exiting the beta is the more awkward part. You can withdraw by navigating via Samsung Members > Settings > Beta program settings > Withdraw from beta program, but that doesn't remove the beta build itself. Instead, you'll need to plug your phone into a computer and use Smart Switch to run a Downgrade, which will wipe everything you've done during testing. If you choose to stay on the beta, you'll get the finished One UI 9.5 as a normal update, whenever that is. So, if your S26 is your only phone and you don't keep regular backups, it's worth sitting this one out and waiting for the stable release.