Samsung has begun rolling out One UI 9 to millions of Galaxy users worldwide, but the rollout isn't going as smoothly as hoped. A portion of users who install the update are running into a serious software problem the moment they turn their phones back on.

The issue appears during the initial setup stage. The update itself completes without errors, but at the welcome screen an XML-based “Access Denied” warning shows up, and users can't get to the home screen.

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Which models are affected?

User reports shared on forums like Reddit suggest the problem isn't limited to a single series. Among the affected devices are the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 series, as well as foldable phones. While the full list of models hasn't been confirmed yet, it's clear the issue has spread to a fairly wide audience.

What could be causing the bug?

According to claims circulating online, the problem may stem from a server-side change Samsung made to prevent software leaks. The company has not issued an official statement so far, but a fix is expected in the near future.

What are the workarounds?

Users have already found ways around the problem. The basic method is to cut the device's internet connection: booting into safe mode by pressing the power and volume buttons together, then disabling connections and restarting can do the trick.

For those who can't reach the settings menu, there are alternatives: turning off the Wi-Fi router, removing the SIM card, or stepping outside coverage all work. Some users also report that after a few restarts, the problem resolved itself without any intervention at all.