How to Fix the XML “Access Denied” Error After a One UI 9 Update
If your Galaxy phone installed One UI 9 but shows an XML “Access Denied” page during the Welcome or setup flow, restart it before trying a reset or firmware repair. The screen alone does not prove that the phone is bricked or that your data has been erased.
In one Samsung Community S25 Ultra report, a Samsung Customer Support reply said the error could appear temporarily during initial setup because of server maintenance, noted that maintenance had ended, and recommended restarting. The original poster later said the phone was working. That is one reported case, not a global Samsung notice or a confirmed explanation for every affected device.
Start with a restart
If the restart or power menu is available, follow Samsung Support’s advice from the report: press and hold the Side button and Volume Down together, then tap Restart. Button behavior can vary by model and software version, so use your device’s current Samsung instructions if that combination does not show the power menu.
After the phone restarts, continue setup normally. If the same XML page returns, avoid repeating resets or firmware procedures. Record your Galaxy model, region, software build, and when the update completed; a photo of the error can also help Samsung Support investigate.
If the error returns
Some Galaxy owners have reported getting past the screen by opening Safe Mode and restarting while the phone is offline. This is an unverified community workaround, not a confirmed fix for the One UI 9 error. Samsung’s general Safe Mode instructions explain how to enter the mode; the available screens and steps may vary by carrier, software version, and device model.
- If you can open the power menu, touch and hold Power off and choose Safe mode when the option appears. If that option is unavailable, do not guess at recovery-menu actions.
- Some users report turning on Airplane mode or otherwise disconnecting Wi-Fi and mobile data while in Safe Mode.
- Restart normally and see whether setup continues. Reconnect only after you reach the Home screen.
This sequence has not been verified across Galaxy models or regions. If it does not work, stop and contact Samsung Support rather than wiping the phone.
Is your phone bricked, and is your data gone?
An XML error during post-update setup is not, by itself, proof of a hardware failure, a bootloop, or erased storage. Current reports describe some phones stopping before the Home screen, but there is no confirmed complete list of affected models or regions. Reports include Galaxy A57 and S25 Ultra users; that does not mean every A57 or S25 Ultra is affected. An S26 Ultra report has also appeared in search results, but it is not a verified compatibility or incident list.
The error screen alone cannot confirm whether your files are intact or accessible. If the data matters and you do not have a backup, do not choose Wipe data/factory reset, unlock the bootloader, or flash firmware before speaking with Samsung Support. A factory reset erases local data.
When to consider system repair software
Dr.Fone - System Repair (Android) is a secondary option only if Samsung Support identifies a firmware-level problem and confirms that software repair is appropriate. Its Samsung repair workflow installs firmware and may erase all data; it is not a first step for an error that may be related to the post-update setup service.
Before proceeding, back up your data first if you can, and do not start repair if the required compatibility is unclear.
What is confirmed so far?
Reports published on October 12, 2026 describe an XML “Access Denied” page after some One UI 9 updates. Samsung Customer Support advised restarting in one S25 Ultra Community thread and the original poster reported success. Safe Mode and offline steps come from user reports; Samsung has not confirmed them as a fix for this error. The cause, full device list, and status across regions remain unconfirmed.
For other Samsung update symptoms, see our Samsung update troubleshooting guide.
