Good news if you're carrying a Galaxy S26, S26+, or S26 Ultra: the stable One UI 9 update has started rolling out in the US. It's the phone's first major software upgrade, built on Android 17, and it weighs in at about 4.1GB with the September 2026 security patch included. T-Mobile customers are seeing it first, with other carriers following in waves — so if it hasn't appeared for you yet, it's on its way.

How to check for the update

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi and plug in. At roughly 4.1GB, this is a big download. Use Wi-Fi, and keep the battery charged (or charging) so the install doesn't get interrupted.
  2. Open Settings, then Software update. Tap Download and install. Your phone will check Samsung's servers — if One UI 9 is available for your device, it will appear here.
  3. Download, then install. You can keep using your phone during the download. The install itself takes a few minutes and restarts the phone, so pick a moment when you don't need it.
  4. Don't see it yet? Rollouts move in waves by carrier and region. Check again in a day or two — no need to do anything else.

What to try first

The headline addition is My FanCam — the feature Samsung is leading with for this release. Once the update finishes, open the Camera app and look for it; it's the quickest way to feel what the new software can do. Beyond that, One UI 9 brings the polish and platform improvements that come with Android 17 underneath, plus the latest security patch — a solid combination of something fun to try and something important running quietly in the background.

Who should update

Every Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra owner, really — but especially anyone who likes getting new camera features the moment they land, and anyone who wants the September security patch without waiting. If you're on T-Mobile in the US, check today. Everyone else: keep an eye on that Software update screen this week.

A free upgrade for the phone you have

No new hardware, no payment — just a better version of the phone already in your pocket. Take five minutes to grab the update, try My FanCam, and you've got the newest Galaxy experience before most people even know it arrived.

Watch the 30-second version One UI 9 Is Here for the Galaxy S26 — The Tech Drop Back to The Tech Drop home