Summary

  • Samsung is streamlining its One UI beta program with a simpler two-step registration and a dedicated “Beta space” within the Samsung Members app.
  • The Beta tab is now live for some users in the Samsung Members app, suggesting an imminent launch of the One UI 8 beta.
  • Users can now refresh the Samsung Members app with a pull-down gesture to check for beta availability, eliminating the need to quit and re-open the app.

Samsung is currently in the process of rolling out One UI 7 to its phones and tablets, and it will take at least another month to push the update to all its eligible devices. It wouldn’t have taken this long had the update process not faced issues during the initial days of its rollout.

One UI 7 home screen running on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

While this is understandably frustrating for Samsung Galaxy users, it won’t keep you waiting for long for the Android 16-based One UI 8 update, which is now confirmed to be available this summer. And as One UI 8 nears launch, Samsung is gearing up for the release of its first One UI 8 beta build, which now looks imminent because a new Beta tab is now live for some users in the Samsung Members app, with the company also highlighting some of the key changes in the beta testing process.

The Beta tab currently tells users to ‘check back again soon,’ suggesting that it’ll soon be live for users. However, this doesn’t appear to be available for everyone yet. For those who can see the tab, you no longer have to quit the app to see if the Beta banner appears. Instead, you can now use a pull-down gesture to refresh the app to check if betas are live for you.

Samsung introduces some major changes to its Beta Program

Samsung has started informing users about some of the key changes in the “Beta Program” through the Samsung Members app. There are two major changes to how you can try One UI 8 betas, all of which are meant to improve the “Beta experience.”

The South Korean tech giant has made it easier to join the Beta program by limiting the registration process to two steps. Now, all you have to do is join the Beta program and then try the Beta test. Also, you’ll be able to leave the Beta test freely, and it only needs to be completed once, unlike previously, where you had to go through the steps on each model.

Here’s the full text of the post from the above screenshots:

Hello

We are announcing a new update.

In order to provide [a] better Beta experience, “Beta Program” has been reorganized.

We will introduce in advance which part will be changed.

1. The procedure for participating in the Beta Program has become easier

We have changed the registration process to two steps; joining the Beta Program and participating in Beta test, once you join the Beta Program, you can freely join and leave Beta test.

Now, the Beta T&C agreement process, which was previously required for each model, only needs to be completed once when you participate in the “Beta Program”.

Once you have participated, joining and leaving a Beta test can be done with just a few [taps].

2. Dedicated Beta space (Beta Program Home) has been added

Regardless of the Beta test period, a new dedicated Beta testing space has been created, which is always open. Here you can participate in each ongoing Beta test, and see useful information via the “Beta Tips.”

How to access Beta Program Home

There are two ways to enter it.

Selecting “Beta section” from Samsung Member home screen

  • This section is always displayed regardless Beta period
  • In case of being a participant in the Beta test, the section is displayed on the upper side.

Selecting Beta recruitment banner from the home screen

  • The banner is displayed when there is an ongoing Beta test

Another major change is a dedicated Beta space, known as “Beta Program Home,” which will now always be open to allow users to join the ongoing Beta test. However, you’ll see a “Beta recruitment banner” only if there is an ongoing Beta test. On the same page, you’ll also see the “Beta tips” section, which will show useful information you need to know about the testing.

While lowering the barrier to join beta tests is good news for Galaxy users, we hope Samsung handles the One UI 8 release much better than it did in the case of the One UI 7 rollout.

Thanks: Moshe E!