Thanks to leaks that let us try out the latest Android Pie beta on the Galaxy S9, we already have a good idea of what the update has in store for Samsung’s flagships moving forward. As we’ve come to expect, Android 9.0 brings a slew of notable updates, such as the addition of a system-wide dark theme and an all-new TouchWiz replacement called “One UI.”
As it turns out, these leaks were merely the appetizer, as Samsung has started the official rollout of Android Pie beta for Galaxy devices today, November 15. There’s a catch, however, as the software update will only be available for unlocked S9 models in Korea, Germany, and the US, at least at the outset. It just started rolling out today in South Korea, and the US beta program has finally gone live as of 11:30 a.m. Pacific time.
Requirements
- Unlocked Galaxy S9 or S9+ (G960U1, G960U, G965U1, or G965U or check to see if your model number is unlocked)
- Latest stable Oreo update installed (build number ending in ARJ2)
Step 1: Install Samsung+
First, you’ll need the Samsung+ app. You can find it by searching for “Samsung+” with the Galaxy Apps app in your app drawer, or by tapping the link below, then selecting “Galaxy Apps” from the “Complete action using” dialog. Once you’ve arrived at the Samsung+ download page, tap “Install” to grab the app.
Step 2: Enroll in the Beta
Next, open the Samsung+ app and sign in using either your Samsung account or your Google account (both credentials should already be stored on your phone). From here, if the One UI beta program is available for your Galaxy S9 or S9+ variant, you’ll see a small banner towards the middle of the page. Simply tap this banner, then follow the on-screen prompts to enroll in the beta program.
If you don’t see the Pie beta registration prompt in the Samsung+ app, it’s likely just a matter of time before it shows up (provided you have a supported Galaxy S9 variant, of course). So be sure to check the Samsung+ app often, as there’s only a limited number of slots available on the beta program.
Step 3: Update to Pie
Once you’ve registered for the beta, open your Settings app and select “Software Update.” From there, tap “Download updates manually,” then wait a few seconds while your phone checks for the update. If it doesn’t show up right away, check back in about five minutes.
When the update is found, it will be downloaded and installed automatically. This process will take up to 30 minutes, so make sure you have a charger handy.
Remember, this is a beta build, so you might encounter some bugs — though Samsung’s been testing this firmware internally for a couple months now, so it’s fairly stable. However, the build doesn’t pass SafetyNet, so you’ll lose access to certain apps like Netflix and Pokémon GO. If that’s too much for you to stomach, know that Samsung has said they’ll release the final public build of Pie to beta-eligible phones in January 2019.
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