Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta; Google and Samsung Roll Out AirDrop Support to More Android Devices

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Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta & Rolls Out Cross-Platform AirDrop Support

Samsung has expanded its One UI 8.5 beta program to include older flagship and mid-range devices, while Google and Samsung are progressively rolling out AirDrop interoperability via Quick Share to a broader range of Android devices.

Samsung One UI 8.5 Beta Program Expansion

Samsung has expanded its One UI 8.5 beta testing program to include older flagship models and A-series mid-range smartphones. The beta program was previously available for the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy Tab S11, according to a report from March.

The beta rollout is being conducted in phases by region.

• Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5: Beta access is currently limited to Korea and the United States.
• Galaxy A36 5G: Beta access is currently exclusive to India.
• Galaxy S24 Series and Galaxy Tab S11: Beta was initially available for these devices.

Other markets, including the United Kingdom, are expected to receive these beta builds soon. Samsung stated last week that it was expanding the beta program to more devices.

Users can sign up for the beta program through the Samsung Members app. The registration process operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a limited number of spots available. After successful enrollment, a firmware update is delivered to the device.

One UI 8.5 focuses on AI features, a refreshed design, and security and privacy solutions.

• AirDrop Support: A key feature is the introduction of limited AirDrop support via Quick Share, enabling file transfers between Galaxy devices and Apple hardware. Samsung states that full AirDrop compatibility is currently exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series, with older models expected to gain functionality as the beta stabilizes.
• Bixby and AI: The update includes "New Bixby" with improved natural language processing and various Galaxy AI enhancements originally introduced on the S26 series.
• Other Features: The update includes expanded Audio Eraser tools and "Now Nudge" contextual alerts.

Leaked Stable Changelog

A changelog for the stable version of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S25 series has been spotted online. The build version reported is S931BXXU9CZDN. The changelog indicates inclusion of a new design with transparent blur effects and floating elements, Galaxy AI features, and finalized AirDrop-style Quick Share functionality.

The first stable version of One UI 8.5 is expected to launch for the Galaxy S25 series before the end of April.

Cross-Platform AirDrop Support Expansion

Google and Samsung are expanding AirDrop interoperability through the Quick Share feature, moving beyond initial device exclusivity.

Google first introduced AirDrop interoperability for iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks via Quick Share on the Pixel 10 series in November 2025. Eric Kay, Google's Vice President of Engineering on the Android team, stated during a press briefing in Taipei that the company planned to expand this functionality to more Android devices in 2026.

• Key Announcement: Kay stated, "Last year, we launched AirDrop interoperability. In 2026, we're going to be expanding it to a lot more devices... Now that we've proven it out, we're working with our partners to expand it into the rest of the ecosystem."
• Pixel 9 Series: Google has since extended AirDrop compatibility to the Pixel 9 series, excluding the Pixel 9A. Alex Moriconi, a Google communications manager, indicated Google intends to broaden availability to additional Android devices in the future.
• Technical Process: To receive files from an iPhone, Android devices must set their Quick Share visibility to "everyone for 10 minutes." Similarly, for Android-to-Apple transfers, the Apple device's AirDrop visibility must be set to "anyone for 10 minutes."

Samsung has officially confirmed plans to implement AirDrop support on its Galaxy S26 series through Google's Quick Share feature.

• Official Confirmation: Choi Won-jun of Samsung stated during a press conference in Japan, "We plan to support AirDrop compatibility starting with the Galaxy S26 series… It will be provided sequentially through software updates."
• Rollout Schedule: The feature rollout commenced on March 23 in Korea. The United States rollout was expected to follow later that week. Other regions slated to receive the update include Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan.
• Implementation: Unlike the Pixel implementation, AirDrop support on Samsung Galaxy devices will not be enabled by default. Users can activate it through a dedicated setting within Quick Share, labeled "Share with Apple devices." For successful file transfers, both Galaxy and iPhone users must ensure their respective devices have "Everyone" mode enabled for sharing.

• Older Samsung Devices: A recent update to the Quick Share application on older Samsung Galaxy models (reportedly from the S22 to S25 series) has added a "Share with Apple devices" option within Quick Share. However, the functionality is not yet active. It is anticipated to become operational with the stable release of One UI 8.5.
• Qualcomm and Partners: In November, Qualcomm confirmed that devices featuring its Snapdragon chips would also soon support Quick Share transfers to iPhones, indicating Pixel exclusivity is temporary.
• Oppo: Oppo has also indicated plans to integrate AirDrop support on its devices by the end of March.