What you need to know
- Samsung is testing a reminder that shows how long it’s been since you last contacted a family member.
- The reminder pops up in the Now Brief/Now Bar with a day counter.
- The feature includes a dismiss button, though it remains to be seen if the final release will offer permanent opt-out controls.
Samsung’s next big One UI update might offer more than just new looks and AI features. It could also remind you to call your family if you haven’t reached out in a while.
This idea came up after a user shared a screenshot on X, which was reported by Android Authority. In the screenshot, the system pointed out that the user hadn’t been in touch for almost a month.
One UI 8.5 Now Brief has kindly reminded me to contact my family, as I haven't been in touch with them recently 🥲📞This is quite thoughtful, I must admit. pic.twitter.com/57zpWpflOuJanuary 2, 2026
Soon after, well-known leaker Ice Universe confirmed the feature, saying their own device reminded them about a 22-day gap since talking to their mother.
"Say hello to your family," the prompt says, along with a contact card and a very specific counter.
One UI 8.5 could nudge you to call home
The reminder appears in Samsung’s Now Brief or Now Bar interface and tells you how long it’s been since you last contacted a certain family member.
This is a new approach for Samsung. In the past, One UI updates focused on usability, customization, and design. Now, the change feels more emotional than technical.
Samsung hasn’t said exactly how the software decides who is “family,” but it probably uses contact data, call history, or Samsung’s family group features.
Importantly, this isn’t a forced action. You can dismiss the reminder and move on, which shows Samsung is trying to balance being helpful with not being too intrusive.
The family-call reminder is just one feature in a bigger update. One UI 8.5 looks like a major release, especially for Galaxy S25 users testing the beta version.
Since this is still beta software, not every feature is certain to be in the final release. But if Samsung keeps this one, One UI 8.5 might be known for encouraging users to reconnect.
