If you were hoping to enroll your Galaxy S25 in the One UI 8.5 beta program, you’ve likely missed the boat. Samsung has officially closed registration for the beta test in its initial market, South Korea, announcing it is no longer accepting new applicants.
The message is clear for Galaxy S25 users in Korea: the beta slots are full, and Samsung currently has no plans to onboard additional testers. This move is a strong signal that the beta program is entering its final, crucial stages ahead of a stable public release.
So, what does a full beta program actually mean? Primarily, it indicates that Samsung has gathered a sufficient number of testers to provide the feedback and bug reports needed to polish the software. It does not mean the testing itself is over. On the contrary, the program remains active with the existing pool of testers, who will continue to receive updates. In fact, evidence suggests Samsung is preparing to seed a fourth beta build, confirming that development and refinement are actively ongoing behind the scenes.
It is important to note that the One UI 8.5 beta program is currently exclusive to the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung has not announced any plans to expand this beta testing phase to older devices, such as the Galaxy S24 or Z Fold series. For owners of those devices, the first experience with One UI 8.5 will likely be the stable version.
The closure of registrations aligns with the expected timeline for the stable release. The One UI 8.5 beta kicked off in early December, and major software versions typically debut alongside new flagship phones. One UI 8.5 is widely expected to see its stable release with the launch of the Galaxy S26 series, which is rumored for next month. Following that debut, the Galaxy S25 series will be the first in line to receive the update over-the-air.
For those outside of Korea, the situation may vary. It’s unclear if Samsung has closed beta registrations globally or only in the initial test market. If the beta program is still open in your region, it may represent the final opportunity to join.
This milestone signals that Samsung is funneling all efforts toward squashing the remaining bugs and stabilizing the build. For the broader Galaxy community, it means the wait for the feature-packed One UI 8.5 upgrade is now closer than ever.
