Samsung's customisation powerhouse, Good Lock, is receiving its first major refresh for One UI 9 in early July 2026. Four core modules—LockStar, ClockFace, MultiStar, and RegiStar—are being updated to support the latest Android 17-based software, laying the groundwork for the Galaxy S26 series and upcoming foldables.
The update signals Samsung's commitment to rolling out its full customisation suite alongside the next-generation interface. Early July marks a strategic window, just as Galaxy S26 devices begin shipping with One UI 9 pre-installed and ahead of the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch later in the summer.
Good Lock: Samsung's Secret Weapon for Personalisation
Good Lock is a system-level customisation framework exclusive to Galaxy devices, allowing users to tweak almost every visual and functional aspect of the user experience. From lock screen clocks to multi-window behaviour, Good Lock modules grant granular control that stock Android or even stock One UI does not offer. The suite is updated periodically, but major Android version bumps often require substantial reworking of the modules.
The last significant overhaul arrived with One UI 6 and Android 15, when modules like Theme Park and QuickStar were updated after a brief gap. Now, One UI 9—based on Android 17—introduces its own set of under-the-hood changes that necessitate Good Lock compatibility.
What's New in the July 2026 Update
According to Samsung's developer channels, the primary focus is on stabilising four modules that are most affected by the Android 17 framework alterations: LockStar, ClockFace, MultiStar, and RegiStar. These modules are often the first users look for after a major OS upgrade.
LockStar: Unlocking Deeper Lock Screen Control
LockStar enables deep customisation of the lock screen and always-on display. With One UI 9, Samsung has refreshed the lock screen notification stack and widget placements, requiring LockStar to adapt. The update ensures that custom lock screen layouts, shortcuts, and interactive elements function smoothly on the new OS. Early testers report faster loading of lock screen widgets and better alignment with One UI 9's new notification grouping. LockStar now also supports the dynamic notification cards that were introduced in Android 17, allowing users to place them anywhere on the screen without clipping.
ClockFace: Crafting Time with Precision
ClockFace complements LockStar by offering a custom clock designer. Users can craft unique clock styles or download community creations. One UI 9's system-wide font and colour engine changes meant ClockFace needed a compatibility pass. The updated module reportedly brings new clock presets that mirror the subtle refinements of One UI 9's system fonts, including support for the updated SamsungOne 2.0 typeface. Community-designed clocks can now leverage Android 17's improved colour extraction APIs, meaning the clock colours automatically adapt to the wallpaper palettes more accurately.
MultiStar: Multitasking Unleashed
MultiStar is the go-to module for multi-window enthusiasts. It enhances the stock split-screen and pop-up view with options like forcing all apps to be resizable, adjusting pop-up window snap positions, and tweaking transparency. Android 17 introduces stricter background processes and window management APIs to improve battery life and performance; MultiStar's update reconciles these changes, ensuring that heavy multitaskers can continue floating apps without glitches. Notably, the new version improves pop-up window responsiveness on the Galaxy S26's LTPO display, reducing the occasional stutter when dragging windows across screens. For foldable users, MultiStar is especially crucial—it now retains taskbar customisations across screen transitions, a pain point from earlier One UI versions.
RegiStar: Camera and Gesture Smarts
RegiStar is a camera and gesture utility module. Since its inception on One UI 5, RegiStar has added niche but powerful features like video call auto-framing and custom side-key actions. With One UI 9, Samsung has refined camera APIs and side-button behaviours, so RegiStar's update ensures no loss of functionality—and possibly some new tricks for the Galaxy S26's camera hardware. Rumours suggest that RegiStar may gain support for the Galaxy S26 Ultra's new 200MP Pro Vision sensor, enabling advanced raw processing modes directly from the lock screen double-press gesture.
One UI 9 and Android 17: A Technical Leap
One UI 9, built atop Android 17, represents a significant architectural shift even if the visual changes appear incremental. Android 17 focuses on "predictive back" gestures, improved privacy sandbox, and battery optimisations. Samsung's skin layers additional features like a revamped quick panel, smoother animations, and deeper integration of AI features across the system.
The Good Lock team often works closely with the core One UI development team to expose APIs that module developers need. When Android 17 was finalised in early 2026, Samsung's engineers had a head start porting Good Lock. The July update is the first public result of that work, and it targets the most requested modules from beta testers and Galaxy enthusiasts.
Laying Groundwork for Galaxy S26 and Foldables
The timing is no coincidence. Samsung's Galaxy S26 series launched in late May 2026 with One UI 9 out of the box. Early adopters immediately noticed that Good Lock modules were either missing or non-functional. Samsung acknowledged the gap and promised updates by mid-year. The July rollout fulfils that pledge, specifically validating LockStar and MultiStar—two modules critical for users migrating from older devices.
Moreover, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 in August 2026. Foldables demand unique customisations—multi-window behaviour on the large inner screen is a marquee feature. MultiStar's update is essential for those devices, enabling persistent taskbars, unlimited floating windows, and flexible app layouts. By updating MultiStar now, Samsung ensures that foldable buyers won't lose the advanced multitasking they've come to expect.
The Road Ahead for Good Lock on One UI 9
This July batch is only the beginning. Currently, Good Lock comprises over 15 modules, and only four have been ported. Modules like Theme Park, QuickStar, NotiStar, and SoundAssistant are still pending updates. Historically, Samsung rolls compatibility patches in waves—first the most critical or popular modules, then the rest over the following months.
Community feedback has been mixed. On Samsung Members forums, some users express frustration that the entire Good Lock suite wasn't ready at launch, while others appreciate the rapid turnaround. One beta tester noted, "LockStar is a must for me; I can finally set up my lock screen exactly how I had it on One UI 8. MultiStar feels snappier too." However, battery impact concerns linger, as some early adopters report slight drain when MultiStar's advanced features are fully enabled—likely due to the module's deep system hooks. Samsung typically addresses these in subsequent minor updates.
How to Get the Updates
Galaxy S26 users with One UI 9 can download the updated modules directly from the Galaxy Store. The Good Lock launcher app itself may require an update as well, which usually appears around the same time. Those still on One UI 8 or earlier will not see these versions; compatibility is strictly tied to the OS build. Samsung has also published an official guide on its developer portal aligning the new Good Lock SDK with Android 17's privacy and background service restrictions.
A Lifeline for Power Users
The July 2026 Good Lock update for One UI 9 is a welcome step in Samsung's customisation journey. By prioritising LockStar, ClockFace, MultiStar, and RegiStar, Samsung is ensuring that the core user experience for power users and tinkerers remains intact as the Galaxy ecosystem transitions to Android 17. With the Galaxy S26 now fully supported and foldables on the horizon, Good Lock is once again proving why it's one of the strongest differentiators for Samsung's Android experience.