Tested: Googlebooks and Samsung phones now work seamlessly together

Just last week, we reported on a glaring omission during the launch of the Googlebook platform: the highly anticipated “Better Together” sync features simply refused to work with recent Samsung Galaxy devices. For a platform designed around deep Android integration, leaving the ecosystem’s largest smartphone manufacturer in the dark on day one was a massive bummer.

Thankfully, that gap has already been closed. According to an official update posted by Google on Reddit, the necessary background updates to enable cross-device features for Samsung phones running Android 17 (One UI 9.0) are actively rolling out. I immediately went hands-on to verify the fix, and the results are exactly what I’d hoped for.

Seamless sync with the Galaxy Z Fold8

To put Google’s update to the test, I grabbed my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and ran through the pairing process with the Dell XPS Googlebook. I am thrilled to report that everything worked exactly as expected.

The entire suite of Better Together features – including Continue On, Cast My Apps, Quick Access, and Notification Sync – all fired up instantly and operated exactly as intended.

In the announcement, Google noted that this update also introduces a “smoother first-time setup” that resolves early bugs, like the pairing QR code getting stuck on the screen. I can confirm that the re-pairing process between the Z Fold8 and the XPS Googlebook was incredibly fast and seamless, bypassing any frustrating friction points that were experienced during launch week.

How to get your Samsung phone connected

These updates are rolling out automatically in the background, but there are a few specific version numbers you need to hit if you want to force the connection today.

To get your Samsung device talking to your Googlebook, you need to verify the following:

• Android 17: Your Galaxy device must be updated to One UI 9.0 (Android 17).
• Google Play services: Check the Play Store or your system app settings to ensure this is updated to version 26.37 or higher.
• Cross-device services: This companion app must be updated to version 1.0.1346 or higher.

Once you have verified those versions, make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled, and ensure your phone’s Continue activity toggles are switched on. Give the QR code a scan when you hit the phone icon next to the G icon in the tray, and you should be off and running.

Having Samsung integration missing at launch was a painful stumbling block for early adopters, but seeing Google deploy the necessary framework updates in just over a week is a massive win. The Googlebook ecosystem feels a lot more whole today, and having Samsung on board fully is filling a gap that was sorely needed.