Samsung Galaxy owners are reporting an XML “Access Denied” screen after installing One UI 9, with offline restarts helping some devices complete setup without a data wipe.
Samsung’s One UI 9 rollout is leaving some Galaxy owners facing an unnerving post-update problem: after the software installs and the phone reboots, the device can stop at an XML screen carrying an “Access Denied” message. The error appears during Samsung’s post-install setup rather than the download or flashing stage itself, which means the handsets are booting and are not, at least on the evidence so far, fully bricked.
Reports gathered by Android Authority and Samsung community users suggest the issue is not confined to a single model. Devices mentioned so far include the Galaxy S26, S25 and S24 families, as well as at least one foldable, while separate reports have also emerged from Galaxy A57 owners. That points to a problem affecting more than one hardware line, although the full scope remains unclear.
Some users and tipsters have suggested that the fault may be linked to a Samsung server-side change designed to reduce firmware leaks, though Samsung has not confirmed that explanation. What is clearer is that several workarounds have helped users move past the blocked screen without erasing their data. These include forcing a restart with the volume-down and power keys, entering Safe Mode, switching the device fully offline by turning off Wi-Fi and mobile data, and then restarting normally. In some cases, users have achieved the same result by disabling their router, removing the SIM card or simply moving out of Wi-Fi range.
The fact that a later reboot has resolved the problem for some owners suggests the underlying trigger may be changing on Samsung’s side rather than sitting entirely on the device itself. For now, the most cautious approach appears to be completing the first post-update boot without an internet connection. Until Samsung issues a formal explanation or software fix, users installing One UI 9 would be wise to treat the setup stage as the point of risk, not the update process itself.
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