Samsung’s One UI is considered by many to be the best Android skin out there – and for good reason. Apart from aesthetically pleasing design and layout, Samsung has always been on top of the security and privacy game with its state-of-the-art digital protection tools. On the latest Android 14-based One UI 6, Samsung has rolled out a new security tool called ‘Auto Blocker’. Let’s take a quick look at how Auto Blocker works on Samsung smartphones with One UI 6 and how you can enable it on your device.
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In This Article
What is Auto Blocker on Samsung’s One UI 6?
The newest Auto Blocker feature on One UI 6 bumps up the security on Samsung devices in a few key ways. Firstly, it blocks app downloads from third-party sources. This feature is turned off by default as sideloading is an essential feature of Android devices, but once turned on, it safeguards users against malware attacks and voice phishing.
The installation of malicious malware on your device can be restricted further by turning on app security checks. This feature detects and blocks potential malware or harmful software being installed on your phone when it is connected to a USB cable. It can come in really handy to prevent ‘juice jacking’ while using public USB cables.
Finally, Samsung has also updated the Message Guard feature to protect its devices against Zero Click attacks and direct image messages disguising malicious code. Message Guard was initially available for Google and Samsung’s messaging apps. Now this feature has been extended to third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and KakaoTalk.
“At Samsung, we constantly strive to keep our users safe from security attacks, and with the introduction of Auto Blocker users can continue to enjoy the benefits of our open ecosystem, knowing that their mobile experience is secured,” said Dr Seungwon Shin, EVP & Head of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.
Enable Auto Blocker on One UI 6
Step 1: Go to Settings>Software Update and install One UI 6 on your Samsung device.
Step 2: Go back to Settings and search for Auto Blocker.
Step 3: Hit the toggle switch next to ‘On’.
Step 4: Scroll down and select the features of Auto Blocker that you want to turn on for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I turn on Auto Blocker on my Samsung device?
To use Auto Blocker on your Samsung device, you need to update it to One UI 6. Once updated, go to Settings and search for Auto Blocker. Hit the toggle switch next to ‘On’ to enable this feature.
What does Auto Blocker do on Samsung smartphones?
With Auto Blocker, you can choose to block all downloads from third-party sources, enable app security checks to prevent the installation of malware, and use Message Guard on popular instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.
When will One UI 6 be released for Samsung smartphones?
Samsung has started the public rollout of One UI 6. The flagship S and Z series will be the first to receive this OS update. The M and F series smartphones will be the last ones to get One UI 6.
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Conclusion
This is how you can enable and use Auto Blocker on your Samsung smartphone and devices. The app security checks feature to detect malware pushed on your phone via USB cable is currently not available on US carrier models. Samsung users outside of the US can enable this feature from the Auto Blocker tool in the ‘Security and privacy’ settings.
