The best smartphone features are often the ones you hope you’ll never have to use. Compatible Samsung Galaxy phones are now updatable to this latest version of the user interface (One UI 9), which sports upgrades like new Galaxy tools, more customization, and advanced privacy features. But there are a few practical features that you’ll hope you never need but inevitably will at some point. That’s especially if you hang onto the phone for any significant length of time or find yourself face to face with an unexpected issue or unfortunate accident.

Since Samsung offers seven years of software and security upgrades with its latest phones, keeping your device current for many years to come, you’ll want to listen up about these new features. Accessible in the warranty and care section, they keep you up-to-date about your warranty status, make it easier to find details about necessary repairs, and there’s even a tool to run diagnostics on the device and check its overall health, or look for anomalies with specific aspects of the phone. It’s a great feature if that dreaded day ever comes when your Galaxy phone needs a little TLC to keep going. Even if you plan to upgrade, this information is valuable for resale and trade-in values, too.

Warranty and repair details

Let’s get it fixed

Before you do anything, go to Settings and Software update, then update the phone to One UI 9 if you haven’t done so already. This will unlock some features we’ve all been waiting for from Samsung. From there, under Settings, Warranty and care, you’ll see a list of all the Samsung devices connected to your account, including the Galaxy phone you’re using.

Select View details for the device you’re using (or select another one if desired) and you’ll see how much time you have left on a Samsung Care+ plan and what it includes. If you haven’t signed up yet, you’ll see how many days you have left to do so. If the warranty has expired, you’ll see this, too. Tap Learn more to get additional details about what’s covered or Get protection to be directed to the Samsung site to sign up.

It’s a simple way to know if you need to rush to get a phone looked at if you notice the battery is draining more quickly than normal, for example. Maybe the screen has cracked, and you want to quickly see if this is covered under warranty. You can even book a speedy appointment right from the redirect in this menu to get it fixed ASAP.

Instant damage and repair help

Your built-in troubleshooter

That brings me to the second feature: what if there’s a problem with your phone, and you need to get it fixed? Whether you’re in or out of warranty, you can visit the same page for your device and select Damage and repair. You’ll see a list of the most common issues, like a damaged screen, wet phone, cracked back, inactive buttons, and so on. Select the issue that applies to your situation, and you’ll be directed to a page to make a reservation, chat with support, or enable remote management for someone to assist.

There are also helpful FAQs that might allow you to resolve the issue without going further. For example, if you choose Phone got wet, you’ll see how to protect the phone after water exposure with a step-by-step list of what to do. With Can’t open camera, there’s a what to do article as well as how to troubleshoot Camera app errors. Basically, the phone now acts like a self-diagnosing tool with an instant link to support if you’ve exhausted these options.

Diagnostics checks with one click

See if everything is in working order

Another new feature is called Diagnostics. Select this from the menu for the device you’re on and run the checkup of all the core elements of the phone. This includes System software, which checks for pending updates, Battery status for battery health, NFC, SIM, Mobile network, Sensors, Location accuracy, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Camera. If everything is in good order, you’ll get checks for each one. If something is amiss, you’ll see the issue alert. Click on the respective item to learn more.

There are also interactive checks you can use to follow on-screen instructions or, when needed, use accessories like a charger or pair of headphones, to determine if there’s a detectable issue with physical parts of the phone, sensors, or features. This includes Proximity recognition, Buttons, Vibration, Speaker, Mic, Fingerprint recognition, Face recognition, Display color, Touch screen, S Pen touching, Cable charging, Wireless charging, and Wired headphones. Select any one item if you’re experiencing an issue or tap Start to run a full check.

Additionally, with the Ask Bixby voice assistant, accessible from the same menu in select countries, you can tap and describe what’s going on to get answers in plain language. For example, I told it the cellular connection wasn’t working, and it provided a list of troubleshooting tips. It can even automatically change a system setting to resolve an issue if that’s the problem.

Fix it yourself

These features are a great first step before contacting customer service or bringing the phone into a repair shop. It requires One UI 9 on a compatible device, which currently includes the Galaxy S26 series, Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8. The update will be coming soon to devices dating back to the Galaxy S23 series, as well as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 series and newer foldable phones. For some features, like Bixby, you need to be signed in to a Samsung account and have an active network connection, at least Wi-Fi if the issue is with cellular or vice versa. Whether it’s a location accuracy or Bluetooth issue that the phone can help you fix on your own, a failing battery in your aging Galaxy S23, or a cracked screen in your brand-new foldable, this feature-rich section is the best part of the phone you hope you’ll never need.

8.5/10

SoC

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Display

6.9-inch Dynamic Super AMOLED 2X

RAM

12 or 16 GB

Storage

256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of many Galaxy phones that are updatable to One UI 9 which boasts tons of upgrades. Among them are new features in the warranty & care section that help you diagnose and troubleshoot issues right from the phone, run checks, or book a repair reservation on the site via direct links.