Samsung has rolled out the first beta version of One UI 8.5, introducing a new “Storage Share” feature that enables seamless cross-device file access. This development marks a significant enhancement in the company’s ecosystem, allowing for greater flexibility and productivity across its range of devices.
The Storage Share capability allows users to view files from other Samsung phones, tablets, and PCs directly within the My Files app on a Galaxy phone. It also enables access to a phone’s files from other Samsung devices, including televisions, as stated in the update’s changelog. This feature was discovered during testing on a Galaxy S25 Ultra running the One UI 8.5 beta. To enable Storage Share, users can simply toggle the feature on, and shared storage will be listed under the “external storage” section in the app.
During tests, it was observed that users could access files from one device on another. For instance, colleague Paul Jones accessed files from his Galaxy Z Fold 7 using the S25 Ultra. Although he could view the Fold 7’s files remotely, he encountered limitations in saving them to the Ultra or sharing them via Quick Share while in Storage Share mode. The feature supports productivity by allowing users to create files on one device and edit them on another, such as preparing presentations or capturing photos. It also permits viewing phone content on a Samsung TV without requiring screen casting.
One UI 8.5 also includes two significant updates to Quick Share. The sharing tool now identifies friends or family members in photos and prompts users to share those images directly with them. Details on whether this facial recognition uses local AI processing or cloud-based methods remain unspecified, though on-device processing would enhance user privacy. This new functionality streamlines the process of sharing relevant photos with acquaintances.
Furthermore, users can now configure Quick Share to accept files only from devices signed into their Samsung or Google accounts. Prior versions of One UI restricted incoming shares to Google account-linked devices; the beta adds the option to limit to Samsung accounts as well. This enhancement provides users with greater control over the files they receive and from whom they receive them.
