Think twice before updating your Samsung Galaxy phone to One UI 7

Samsung users eagerly awaiting the rollout of One UI 7 might want to pause and consider, especially if they’re fans of the Edge Panel feature.

While the update promises new features and enhancements, a significant change to how Edge Panels are managed might leave some users disappointed.

While previously we told you that Samsung’s version of Android 15 is still filled with bugs, now Samsung says that the Edge Panels in the Galaxy Store will no longer be available to users once they upgrade to One UI 7 (via SamMobile).

Currently, the Galaxy Store offers various Edge Panels (some free, others paid) that allow users to enhance their experience with customisable shortcuts and tools. However, this storefront will be inaccessible on devices running One UI 7 and beyond.

Samsung reassures users that Edge Panels downloaded before updating to One UI 7 will remain available in the Galaxy Store’s ‘My apps’ section.

The catch? If you uninstall any Edge Panels after upgrading, you won’t be able to re-download them, not even from the ‘My apps’ section. For users who have paid for premium Edge Panels, this limitation could be particularly frustrating.

Interestingly, users with new devices running One UI 7 or later can still access Edge Panels previously associated with their older devices, but only through the ‘My apps’ section.

This workaround requires users to have owned the Panels on a prior device, making the feature far less flexible for those new to the ecosystem.

While the Edge Panels in Galaxy Store will remain available for devices running One UI 6.1.1 or earlier, Samsung has not clarified how long the store will stay active for these users, leaving questions about the future of the feature.

Although One UI 7 is expected to deliver a host of improvements, the decision to terminate Edge Panels downloads is a blow to customisation enthusiasts.

If you’re an avid user of third-party Edge Panels or rely on specific tools, you may want to delay updating until you’ve ensured your favourite panels are installed and secure.

For those ready to upgrade, Samsung’s notice serves as a clear reminder – think twice before updating to One UI 7. Once they’re gone, they might be gone for good.