One UI 9 Brings a Handy New Trick to Samsung Motion Photos

Motion Photos Get a New Purpose

Samsung is giving Motion Photos a fresh role with One UI 9. Users can now turn compatible Motion Photos into wallpapers, bringing a short moving moment to their phone or tablet screen. The feature adds a more dynamic option for personalizing Galaxy devices, rather than limiting Motion Photos to what users can view in the Gallery app.

Set Them as Wallpapers

With One UI 9, a Motion Photo saved to the Gallery can be set as a wallpaper. Users can apply it to the home screen, lock screen, or both. This makes the feature more useful for people who want their favorite memories to appear in a more interactive format rather than as a conventional static photograph.

Users Get an Animation Toggle

Samsung is also giving users some control over how the Motion Photo appears. When selecting one as a wallpaper, the device provides a preview before applying it. Users can then choose whether the Motion Photo animation remains active or is switched off, offering a simple way to customize the wallpaper experience.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 Gets It

The new wallpaper option is currently available on Samsung’s latest foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The feature also highlights how Samsung is using One UI 9 to add smaller personalization improvements alongside its larger software changes. For Flip 8 owners, favorite Motion Photos can now become part of the phone’s visual experience.

Fold Series Also Supports it

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra also support Motion Photo wallpapers under One UI 9. The feature works across the Gallery wallpaper selection process, allowing users to preview the result before confirming their choice. It is another example of Samsung adding extra functionality around existing camera and Gallery features.

S26 Ultra Availability is Unclear

The feature has not yet appeared on the Galaxy S26 Ultra running One UI 9.0 Beta 5, according to SamMobile. However, that does not necessarily mean the feature will remain exclusive to the newer foldables. Samsung could potentially introduce it to additional compatible Galaxy devices when the stable software rollout expands.

A Small But Useful One UI Upgrade

One UI 9 may not represent Samsung’s biggest software overhaul, but features like Motion Photo wallpapers add practical value. Instead of introducing an entirely new technology, Samsung is finding another use for something Galaxy users already have. For people who enjoy personalizing their devices, turning a moving memory into a wallpaper could be a welcome upgrade. 

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