Samsung has been steadily expanding the capabilities of its Galaxy AI-powered Now Brief feature, and the latest One UI 9 Beta 7 update brings a particularly useful addition for movie enthusiasts. The new update, now rolling out to the Galaxy S26 series, introduces a Netflix integration that allows Now Brief to surface personalized movie and TV show recommendations directly in the user's daily briefing feed.
This move marks another step in Samsung's efforts to make Now Brief a central hub for personalized information, blending calendar events, weather updates, news, and now entertainment suggestions into one glanceable interface. By integrating with Netflix, Samsung is leveraging its on-device AI and user preferences to offer a more convenient way to decide what to watch next.
What is Now Brief?
Now Brief is a feature introduced as part of Samsung's One UI 7 and further refined in later versions. It is essentially a smart notification and information feed that consolidates relevant content throughout the day. The Brief provides quick updates in the morning — such as weather, schedule, and news — and evolves into an evening briefing that can summarize the user's day. It uses Galaxy AI to analyze usage patterns and contextual data, delivering useful information at the right time.
Initially, Now Brief offered widgets for weather, calendar, Samsung Health, and news. With each One UI beta iteration, Samsung has added more third-party integrations and customization options. The addition of Netflix is particularly notable because it marks a deeper partnership with a streaming platform, allowing Samsung to extend its AI recommendations beyond its own services.
How the Netflix integration works
According to recent reports, the new feature is discovered in the One UI 9 Beta 7 for the Galaxy S26 family. Users can find the new toggle by navigating to Galaxy AI > Now Brief > Contents. Once the Netflix option is enabled, it appears as one of the content sources for Now Brief. The system then begins to display a card titled “Top picks for you,” which presents movie recommendations generated by Galaxy AI.
The recommendations are likely based on a combination of user viewing history, preferences, and perhaps even contextual signals like time of day or location, though Samsung has not revealed the exact algorithm. The key benefit is that the card appears directly in the Now Brief feed, meaning users don't need to open the Netflix app to see these suggestions. This seamless integration is designed to reduce friction, making it easier for users to discover new content while they're already reviewing their daily brief.
The feature is not limited to the Galaxy S26 series. Reports indicate that the stable version of One UI 9 for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 also includes this integration. This suggests that Samsung is treating Netflix recommendations as a flagship feature for its premium devices, at least initially.
Why Netflix recommendations matter for Samsung
Samsung has been increasingly focusing on AI-driven features to differentiate its Galaxy lineup from competitors. The company's Galaxy AI suite includes features like live translation, generative photo editing, and now proactive recommendations. By partnering with Netflix, Samsung is able to demonstrate the practical utility of its AI in the entertainment domain.
For Netflix, this integration is another channel to engage users and potentially increase watch time. The streaming service has been exploring various ways to deepen its presence on mobile devices, including partnerships with device manufacturers and telecom operators. A built-in recommendation card on Samsung's home screen equivalent — the Now Brief — could be a significant driver for user engagement.
Moreover, the collaboration is a win for consumers who often spend a considerable amount of time browsing through menus trying to decide what to watch. The “Top picks for you” card aims to cut that decision time by leveraging machine learning to curate a shortlist of titles that align with the user's taste. While the feature is currently limited to Netflix, it's plausible that Samsung will eventually integrate other streaming services like Disney+, Prime Video, or YouTube into Now Brief.
Privacy and data considerations
Any feature that relies on user preferences and viewing history raises questions about privacy and data usage. Samsung has stated that Galaxy AI processes much of its data on-device to ensure privacy. However, when it comes to streaming recommendations, there may be a need to share some data with Netflix to generate personalized picks. The exact data flow is not detailed in the update notes, but users can control the integration by simply toggling the feature off in the settings.
The option to enable or disable the Netflix content source gives users a good degree of control. Those who are concerned about privacy can opt out entirely, while those who value convenience can keep it enabled. It's worth noting that the feature is opt-in by default, meaning users must explicitly turn it on before any data is shared or recommendations are shown.
How to enable Netflix recommendations on One UI 9
If you own a compatible Galaxy device and have the One UI 9 Beta 7 (or stable) update, enabling the feature is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Galaxy device.
- Scroll down and tap on Galaxy AI.
- Select Now Brief.
- Tap on Contents.
- Locate the Netflix toggle and switch it on.
Once enabled, you may need to allow a moment for Galaxy AI to fetch your Netflix profile and generate recommendations. The “Top picks for you” card will then start appearing in your Now Brief feed, typically during morning or evening briefings depending on your usage patterns.
It's important to have the Netflix app installed and logged in for the feature to work. If you don't have the app, the toggle may be greyed out or hidden. Samsung's integration with Netflix requires the user to have an active account and be signed in on the device.
Beyond Netflix: The future of Now Brief
The addition of Netflix to Now Brief suggests that Samsung is committed to growing this feature into a comprehensive AI assistant that anticipates user needs. Future updates could bring integrations with other popular services, such as music streaming platforms, podcast apps, or even fitness programs. The modular nature of Now Brief, with its toggleable content sources, makes it easy for Samsung to expand the ecosystem.
Furthermore, the rollout of this feature in a beta version signals that Samsung is still fine-tuning the user experience. The company is likely gathering feedback from beta testers to refine the recommendation algorithm and the presentation of the card. Early reports suggest that the card displays movie posters with a brief description, making it visually appealing and easy to scan.
It's also worth noting that this integration is part of a broader trend of AI-driven recommendations across the tech industry. Google, Apple, and other major players are all integrating AI into their operating systems to offer proactive suggestions. Samsung's Now Brief is one of the more advanced implementations in the Android space, and the Netflix partnership shows that Samsung is willing to collaborate with third-party service providers to offer more value to users.
Availability and rollout
One UI 9 Beta 7 is currently available to users enrolled in Samsung's beta program for the Galaxy S26 series. The stable version of One UI 9 is expected to roll out to more devices in the coming weeks and months. The Netflix feature has been confirmed to be included in the stable version for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8, according to reports. It's likely that other flagship models, such as the Galaxy S25 series, will also receive the feature in future updates, though Samsung hasn't officially confirmed a timeline.
For now, users of the latest Galaxy foldables and S-series flagships can take advantage of this new integration. The feature adds another layer of personalization to Now Brief, which already serves as a smart assistant for daily planning, news, and productivity. With Netflix recommendations, it now also becomes a tool for entertainment discovery.
The integration is a clear signal that Samsung is looking to make its AI more useful in everyday life. Instead of asking users to actively search for content, Now Brief proactively delivers it. As the feature matures, it will be interesting to see how Samsung balances personalization with privacy, and whether it expands the concept to other types of content.
Ultimately, the addition of Netflix recommendations to Now Brief underscores a larger movement toward predictive and personalized experiences on smartphones. By bringing movie recommendations into a notification-style feed, Samsung is eliminating the need to switch between apps, saving users time and effort. Whether you're looking for something to watch during a commute or planning a movie night, the new Now Brief card could become one of the most convenient parts of your Galaxy device.
Source: Android Authority News