Samsung has introduced new security features in One UI 7 to help Galaxy phone users protect their devices against rising thefts worldwide.
The update enhances the Theft Protection suite, which includes:
- Offline Device Lock: Automatically locks the screen if the device is disconnected from the network for a prolonged period.
- Remote Lock: Allows users to lock their phone remotely using their phone number and verification to regain control and access recovery options.
These features complement standard Android protections by adding extra security for cases where access credentials may be compromised.
Users can activate these by navigating to Settings > Security and Privacy > Lost Device Protection > Theft Protection on their phones.
Additional anti-robbery tools introduced in One UI 7 include:
- Identity Check: Lets users set trusted locations where the phone stays unlocked; outside these areas, biometric authentication is required for sensitive changes.
- Security Delay: Imposes a one-hour delay on resetting biometric data, providing time to lock a stolen device remotely.
These features are available in the same Lost Device Protection settings section.
The upgrades are rolling out now to recent flagship models such as the Galaxy S24, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, S23, and S22 series, with plans to extend support to more devices.
Similar anti-theft measures have been progressively added by Android since last year, and Apple launched comparable features for iPhones earlier this year.