After two false alarms, Samsung finally opened the One UI 6.0 beta program for the Galaxy S23 series in mid-August. And as of this writing, the beta program is available only for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra in select markets, including the USA, South Korea, Germany, India, Poland, and the UK. At first, availability was limited to three countries, but more regions were added with the release of beta 2.
Now, if you're interested in joining the beta program and have never participated in beta tests, you might have questions about the process. So without further ado, here's everything you need to know about joining Samsung's One UI 6.0 beta program.
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What is the One UI 6.0 beta program?
Samsung releases a new One UI update for every new version of Android OS. But before the update becomes widely available, Samsung releases a beta program to test the update with help from the community and the Galaxy user base.
Beta testing always precedes the public release of a new One UI version. Galaxy device users can choose to join the beta testing process, which usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. During the beta period, Samsung collects feedback to fix issues and improve features before publicly releasing the One UI update worldwide.
Here is a complete list of features and changes introduced with the first One UI 6.0 beta firwmare.
Who can join the One UI 6.0 beta program?
New beta versions of One UI first go live on select high-end devices. This year, the One UI 6.0 beta program debuted on the Galaxy S23 series.
In addition, Samsung limits a beta program's availability to select markets, such as the USA, South Korea, Germany, India, Poland, and the UK. The release for China got delayed.
In essence, anyone using an eligible Galaxy device in a market where the beta program is open can gain access to the pre-release One UI firmware and start testing the latest features.
Is One UI 6.0 beta access free? Will I get compensated?
Galaxy device users who want to join the One UI beta program don't have to pay an entry fee. Likewise, Samsung doesn't offer any compensation to beta testers.
One UI beta testing is a volunteering program. Samsung welcomes users who want access to pre-release One UI versions and features early on and are willing to offer feedback on how things are working and what features should change.
Should I worry about my data?
Samsung highly recommends you back up your data to an external device or cloud storage before joining the beta program. Unexpected errors in the beta software can cause data loss, and it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you want to use beta firmware, always be prepared for the possibility of data loss.
How can I become a One UI 6.0 beta tester?
If you want to test the latest beta firmware, you need an eligible device in a country where the beta program is open.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply to join the beta program through the Samsung Members app on your phone. Make sure you're logged in with your Samsung account.
Once you have been accepted into the beta program, you can install One UI 6.0 beta firmware by opening the Settings app on your device, accessing “Software update,” and tapping “Download and install.”
Keep in mind that Samsung may stop accepting beta testers at any moment, even before beta testing concludes.
What if I need to reset my phone? Can I reinstall the beta firmware?
You can factory reset your Galaxy device and reinstall One UI beta firmware. Resetting your phone does not mean you're no longer a beta participant.
Can I withdraw from the One UI 6.0 beta program?
Yes, you can withdraw from the One UI 6.0 beta program. But as mentioned before, resetting the device won't do it.
To withdraw from One UI 6.0 beta and go back to using the public One UI 5.1 firmware, you have to open the Samsung Members app on your phone and select the “Beta Withdraw” option.
It's important to note that withdrawing from the beta program can take up to two business days. In addition, once you withdraw from the One UI 6.0 beta program, you can't rejoin.
IMPORTANT: After exiting the beta program, you have to reinstall the latest public firmware using the Smart Switch app on a Windows PC. If you are unable to do this, you'll have to visit a Samsung Service Center instead.
How do I send my feedback to Samsung?
Sending feedback is the most important part of testing pre-release firmware. If you enroll in the One UI 6.0 beta program and want to help Samsung improve the experience, you can report errors through the Samsung Members app by selecting “Beta feedback” and tapping “Send feedback.”
Beta participants can also provide UX or UI-related feedback through the “Suggestions” section on the official Beta Community forums.
What if an error occurred during the beta software installation?
If you have encountered an error during the beta firmware installation and can no longer boot your device, you should visit a Samsung Service Center and ask for assistance to reinstall your firmware.
