GoKawiilSanuj Bhatia / Android Authority
TL;DR The stable version of One UI 9 has an anti-distraction tool that lets you block network access for games and browsers.
The software also includes granular audio hardening controls and a new Gesture wake-up feature for Bixby activation.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 are the first to receive One UI 9, while older flagships will get the update at an unspecified date.
While One UI 9 is just around the corner for existing flagships, Samsung’s Z8 foldables offer the stable version of the software out of the box. Beta releases have given us early glimpses at some potential additions, like the ability to restrict network access to certain apps. We can now confirm that this particular feature has made the cut to the stable release, along with a few others we’ve previously reported on.
We last discussed this network-access feature in a follow-up report in late May. Now, thanks to the company’s latest range of foldables, we’re seeing how the options are implemented in stable One UI 9. There are two new toggles — Restrict browsers and Restrict games — in the previously discovered Advanced settings page within Network restrictions (Thanks, Dylan H).
Separately, we’re also seeing the toggle to disable Background Audio Hardening, which was introduced with Android 17. Users should find this option by navigating to Settings > Developer options > More settings. While we previously noticed a simple on/off toggle, stable One UI 9 offers granular controls over the audio hardening level with the following options: High (Hardening all apps)
Mid (Default)
Low (Skip hardening) Lastly, we’re seeing a toggle for gesture-based activation of the Bixby voice assistant, as revealed in a leak early last month. Known as Gesture wake-up, this option will live in the Bixby settings page. Enabling it will let you activate the voice assistant without needing to say the magic words “Hi Bixby” or use a shortcut.
Dylan H
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