Samsung users troubled by paused Play System updates and buggy 'recent apps' screen

Samsung Galaxy users are dealing with a couple of nagging software snags lately, from messy recent apps interfaces to updates that just won’t go through. These problems are cropping up on different versions of One UI, frustrating folks who expect their devices to run smoothly.

Let’s tackle the recent apps issues first. Over on Reddit’s r/oneui community, people are reporting all kinds of weirdness in the recents screen after updating to One UI 7. Screenshots show app previews overlapping or cloning themselves, especially when several apps are open at once. It makes switching between them a confusing ordeal. Check out these two screen recordings for reference:

The redesigned layout in One UI 7 seems to be part of the gripe, with feedback that it feels disorienting and harder on the eyes during quick flips. Temporary relief comes from restarting the phone or wiping the cache for the One UI Home app. So you might want to give it a shot if you run into the problem.

Meanwhile, the Google Play System update problem is affecting beta testers on One UI 8. Forums are lighting up with stories of a 13MB update appearing on gadgets like the Tab S10+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it bombs out every time. Users see messages like “Updates are temporarily unavailable. Try again later.”

Some say their phone feels partially stuck on older bits from One UI 7 and Android 15, triggering odd behaviors such as antimalware apps throwing fits or apps updating in slow motion. Lingering old system files are raising eyebrows too.

Moderators confirm it’s intentional — the feature is on hold for beta devices, per Samsung and Google’s agreement. Key security updates are already built in, so safety isn’t at risk. It should pick up again during the beta or post-official launch.

This Play System hiccup sounds a lot like what we covered recently with Google Pixel phones. There, devices on the Android 16 were locked to the June 2025 Play System update, with some reverting overnight or prompting endless installs. It affected models like the Pixel 8 and 9, and while not widespread, it mirrored beta quirks. Could be a connection, even if Samsung frames theirs as planned.

Anyway, we’ll keep an eye out for any further developments and will update the article if there’s something to share.