Earlier this month, we got our first look at the Tap to Share feature on One UI 9 but that version was based on Android 16. Now, thanks to SamMobile, the feature has been spotted working within Quick Share on a newer One UI 9 build based on Android 17. This gives us a better idea of what the feature will look like in reality, while also revealing some other details.
Tap to Share Moves Closer to Reality on Galaxy Phones
Thanks to the latest report, we see the proper One UI 9 interface of the functionality, tucked away within Quick Share itself. From the dedicated toggle off button to how the feature works, we see it all.
With this feature, Samsung will let users transfer files such as photos, videos, and links by simply tapping two phones together. The feature uses NFC to initiate the connection and make sharing possible.
On the newer Samsung Galaxy S26 series, the latest report notes that the experience appears more refined as you can "tap the top edge of the phone, as all three models include NFC antennas on both the top and the back." Simply put, this makes triggering the transfer more reliable regardless of how you align the two phones.
Other Leaked One UI 9 Features
Now, while Tap to Share may be the headline feature, the Android 17-based One UI 9 is shaping up to be more than just a one-trick pony.
The latest report also showcases new home screen widgets for Bixby, allowing users to quickly start voice or text interactions without opening the app. These widgets range from simple shortcuts with microphone and keyboard icons to larger layouts that include a full text input bar.
Additionally, Accessibility is also getting attention this time around. Features like Select to Speak (which reads on-screen content aloud) and Text Spotlight (which enhances text visibility) are now being built directly into the system, rather than requiring a separate app download.
Apart from that, as we already knew from previous leaks, Samsung is also testing a new Warranty and Care hub in One UI 9, located in Settings, which offers device support, diagnostics, and repair information all in one place.
While One UI 9 is still in active development, these newer Android 17-based builds are far more feature-complete than earlier versions that ran on Android 16. The presence of Tap to Share in a working state, alongside Bixby widgets and accessibility upgrades, suggests everything is on track. Besides, who knows, we might get to see the previously leaked One UI 9 Memory Tagging feature at work in future leaks.
Moreover, if Tap to Share makes the final cut, Android users might finally get a file-sharing experience that feels as effortless as it should have been all along. One UI 9 could debut later this year, likely alongside Samsung's next-gen Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide foldables.
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