Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places. On the bus, in the elevator, and wherever we’re waiting in line, our digital laundry gets aired in plain view. As phones become more tailored to our routines and preferences, concerns about privacy are only growing.

That’s why Samsung will soon unveil a new layer of privacy to shield your phone from shoulder surfing wherever you go. You’ll have a more secure way to check your messages or enter a password when commuting or on public transit.

Flexible Protection Built Over Years

Not everyone needs the same level of privacy. This new layer gives you the choice to decide what works best for you. You can customise the security with specific apps, or when entering access details for more private areas of your phone. With multiple settings for adjusting visibility, you can limit what others can see based on the level of privacy protection you need.

You can also choose to protect specific parts of your experience, such as notification pop-ups. It’s a tailored approach that you can fine-tune or switch off entirely, rather than a blanket one.

It took over five years of engineering, testing and refining to get here. We studied how people use their phones, what they consider private, and how security should feel in everyday life. The result is a fusion of hardware and software expertly calibrated to enhance mobile security.

A New Standard for Mobile Privacy

This is the latest in a series of Galaxy innovations designed to keep you safe. There is no privacy without strong security. For more than a decade, Samsung Knox has established layers of protection for Galaxy devices, from dedicated security hardware like Knox Vault[1] to ecosystem defenses such as Knox Matrix[2]. This latest safeguard builds on that commitment to security, introducing privacy at a pixel level.

This is privacy you can see and security you can feel – and it’s coming to Galaxy very soon.

[1] Samsung Knox Vault availability may vary by model including but not limited to Galaxy S Series, Galaxy A Series, Galaxy Tab S Series and more.

[2] Knox Matrix is supported on Galaxy smartphones and tablets One UI 6.0 or above. Availability may vary by country or region.

Samsung recently started rolling out One UI 7 to compatible devices with security updates to existing features, including additional theft protection. These will now also be available to even more devices, having  expanded across more Galaxy devices throughout the year[1].

Samsung is introducing new security updates to better protect users. One major update is Theft Protection – a multi-layered suite of features developed to help safeguard personal data.

Theft Protection builds on standard Android safeguards, which are effective where the thief doesn’t know the PIN.

Galaxy users can now enable a range of new security measures, including Identity Check. When enabled, these features offer additional protection if a device is stolen.  Working with the Find My Mobile feature, these new features may assist in locating your phone, making it difficult for others to access the information in your device. Whether online or offline, these features can give you some extra peace of mind.

Existing and updated features in Theft Protection include:

• Theft Detection Lock: When enabled, this feature detects abrupt motions generally associated with physical theft such as snatching and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorised access.
• Offline Device Lock: The screen gets automatically locked if the device is disconnected from the network for an extended period. This feature can be used twice a day.

• Remote Lock:Users can lock their devices remotely using their phone number and a quick verification step. Remote Lock also allows users to regain control of their account and explore additional recovery options. To enable this feature, the device must be online and can be done by going to android.com/lock and enter their phone number. Feature can be used max twice a day.

Other features released on One UI 7 include:

• Identity Check: The ‘Safe Places’ feature requires biometric authentication for any changes to sensitive security settings, adding an additional layer of protection when a PIN may have been compromised.
  • Security Delay: A key component of Identity Check, it triggers a one-hour waiting period if someone attempts to reset biometric data.

These updated theft features are available on some compatible devices with One UI 7,  with future updates planned for even more Galaxy smartphones.

Further steps to take if your Samsung Galaxy device is lost or stolen

How to remotely lock your Samsung Galaxy device:

• Sign into Samsung Find using your Samsung account
• Select your phone on the left-hand side of the page, then choose Lost Mode in the device details section
• Create a PIN to unlock your phone if recovered, and enter it twice to confirm
• You will have the option to add an emergency contact and a custom message that will display on the locked screen (It’s recommended to skip this step to avoid sharing personal contact details)
• When you are ready, select the Lock button and verify your Samsung account to activate Lost mode
• If your device is recovered, you can unlock it using the PIN that was created when setting lost mode on your device

How to remotely delete data on your Samsung Galaxy device: 

• Visit the Samsung Find website
• Select the phone you want to erase and choose Erase Data
• Verify your Samsung account credentials
• Review the information provided and tap Erase to confirm

• All the data on your mobile, including Samsung Pay information, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
• This will also reset your phone, meaning you won’t be able to locate and control it via Samsung Find
• Make sure to regularly back up your data to the cloud so you can restore it to a new device if needed

How to remotely change your Samsung and/or Google account passwords: 

• It is recommended to change the passwords for your Samsung and Google accounts (or whichever accounts are linked to your device) by signing in through their respective websites
• Once changed, you will be signed out of all connected devices, except the one you’re using
• This prevents unauthorised access to account-linked features and protects your personal information

How to track your Galaxy device:

If your device is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, its last known location will appear on a map

• Visit the Samsung Find website
• Sign in with the Samsung account associated with your device (or a guardian’s account)
• If multiple devices are linked to your account, they will all appear – select the one you want to locate
• You’ll see its current or last known location

Other remote features available: 

• Ring: Make your device ring even if it’s set to silent or vibrate
• Extend battery life: Activate power-saving settings to keep your device on longer and improve the chances of recovery
• Track location: Enable real-time location tracking and your phone’s location will update every 15 minutes until tracking is stopped

Other ways to locate Galaxy devices

Find your phone using your Galaxy watch (WearOS 5 or higher):

• Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Watch to open Quick settings
• Tap the Find My Phone icon
• Tap Start to begin the search – your phone’s ringtone will sound
• Once found, tap Stop on your watch or the X icon on your phone

Find your Galaxy Watch: 

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone
• Tap Find My Watch (or Find My Band / Find My Gear, depending on your device)
• If connected via Bluetooth, tap Start
• Your watch will vibrate and play a sound (depending on model)
• Once found, tap the X icon on your watch or Stop on your phone

Find your Galaxy Buds: 

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet
• Tap Find My Earbuds
• Tap Start – your earbuds will begin beeping and gradually increase in volume for three minutes
• Once found, tap Stop

Using Google’s Find My Device:

• Google’s Find My Device is built into Android via Google Play Services
• You will need a Google account to use it
• With this tool, you can set a new password, make your device ring, display a message, lock and wipe your device, and more

Contact the authorities and your mobile network provider: 

• Once taken the steps above, report your lost or stolen device to the police and record a crime incident report
• Contact your mobile network provider to freeze your contract and prevent unauthorised usage

[1] Compatabile Galaxy devices will receive an update about updating to One UI 7

Next-Generation Mobile Security for AI Personalisation

Samsung is introducing ,[1] a new architecture designed to safeguard the next generation of personalised, AI-powered features, as its latest innovation in mobile security. KEEP creates encrypted, app-specific storage environments within the device’s secure storage area, ensuring that each app can access only its own sensitive information and nothing more.

Supporting Galaxy’s Personal Data Engine (PDE),[2] KEEP helps secure a user’s personal insights – such as routines and preferences – that enable features like Now Brief and Smart Gallery search. These insights stay entirely on-device, protected by KEEP and furthersecured by Knox Vault. The result is a seamless foundation for Galaxy AI that delivers personalised intelligence while keeping data under the user’s control.

KEEP’s system-level structure allows it to scale across Galaxy AI[3] innovations. In addition to PDE, it now covers Now Brief, Smart Suggestions and other on-device features that rely on user-specific inputs – enabling more advanced AI experiences. With KEEP, Samsung is changing how mobile devices help safeguard data in the background to elevate privacy from a setting to an embedded design principle.

Smarter, More Connected Threat Response with Knox Matrix

As AI becomes more integrated across the ecosystem, Samsung is advancing protections that offer greater transparency and control for users, with Knox Matrix leading the way. Through One UI 8, Samsung is evolving Knox Matrix to deliver more proactive and user-friendly protection for connected Galaxy devices.

Users are notified across their connected Galaxy devices and guided to the ‘Security status of your devices’ page, where they can review the issue and take action. Even devices without the latest security status updates trigger a yellow-level warning.

Together, these updates make Samsung Galaxy’s ecosystem-level protection more dynamic, intuitive and visible, empowering users to maintain trust across all their devices with more confidence and clarity.

Secure Wi-Fi Strengthened with Encryption

In continuation of its commitment to security, Samsung is strengthening Secure Wi-Fi,[4] extending the trusted approach first introduced on the Galaxy S25 series through Post-Quantum Enhanced Data Protection (EDP). Secure Wi-Fi is now being upgraded with a new framework[5] designed to strengthen network protection.

In addition to this future-ready foundation, Secure Wi-Fi offers a suite of advanced privacy features:

• Auto Protect: Activates in public places like cafés, airports or hotels, securing Wi-Fi connections without requiring user action.
• Enhanced Privacy Protection (EPP): Encrypts internet traffic and routes it through multiple layers, combining packet encryption and relay to anonymise device information and help prevent tracking.
• Protection Activity: Provides visibility into protection history by showing which apps and networks were secured and how much data was encrypted over time.

A Trusted Platform with Built-In Safeguards

In addition to its latest innovations, Samsung continues to strengthen the core protections that underpin the Galaxy experience. These features reflect a multi-layered security approach that helps protect across hardware and software, while giving users greater visibility and control:

• Knox Vault secures sensitive credentials such as passwords, PINs and biometrics in a physically isolated environment.
• Auto Blocker helps provide defense, blocking unauthorised app installs, restricting command-based attacks and mitigating risks.
• Advanced Intelligence Settings gives users the option to turn off online data processing for AI features, so personal information can stay on-device.
• Enhanced Theft Protection helps protect personal data using safeguards like Identity Check and Security Delay to prevent unauthorised access.

This latest set of updates reinforces Samsung’s long-standing commitment to mobile security that evolves with innovation. It strengthens on-device privacy for personalised AI with  , expands transparency and user control through Knox Matrix, . As new security challenges emerge, Samsung remains focused on delivering safeguards that are built in, always on and ready for what’s next.

^[1] Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 8 or later.

^[2] The Personal Data Engine functions when the Personal Data Intelligence menu is on. Analysed data will be deleted once the Personal Data Intelligence menu is turned off.

[3] Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model and apps. Some features may require a network connection. Modes and Routines need to be enabled to use Personal Data Engine for context-based Routines suggestions. User needs to consent to access permissions such as photos, videos, audio files, and calendar events. May not display moments depending upon exposure policy. Energy Score requires health data tracked from Samsung Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring and is intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Events schedule notification is supported with calendar apps that utilize Android calendar database and available if Samsung Calendar is installed. Notifications for coupons only available for coupons added to Samsung Wallet with expiration date.

[4] Secure Wi-Fi offers free protection of up to 1024MB per month for Android OS 13 or later, and 250MB per month for Android OS 12 or earlier versions. Availability details may vary by market or network provider and connectivity is subject to applicable network environments.

[5] This upgrade applies a post-quantum cryptographic algorithm certified under NIST FIPS 203 (ML-KEM). Availability may vary by market, model, and OS version.

Intuitive, context-aware Galaxy AI[1] features bring these personalised experiences to life, transforming your smartphone from a tool to a smart companion that anticipates your needs and offers suggestions designed to make your life more productive, creative and connected.

To deliver a fully personalised experience, your device naturally needs access to certain data. This is what allows AI to understand you and tailor its responses in ways that are genuinely helpful and suited to your lifestyle. To ensure your personal data is safeguarded in this era of AI, we’re constantly innovating data protection on your device, to help ensure that nothing falls into the wrong hands.

Personalisation Made Possible with the Personal Data Engine

Samsung Electronics’ Personal Data Engine (PDE)[2] is a key component of safely delivering these highly personal experiences. First introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, the PDE is the powerhouse behind some of Galaxy’s most impactful AI experiences yet. It works silently behind the scenes to learn from your habits and preferences, resulting in a truly personalised, unique experience.

Whether it’s Now Brief[3] guiding you through your day with curated updates or simply finding that one perfect photo in your Gallery with natural language input, Galaxy AI¹ makes every AI-powered action feel seamless. And because the PDE safely processes your data on-device[4], you can enjoy all the benefits of deeply customised AI — without compromising privacy.

Powerful Advancements with Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection

To further strengthen the security of Galaxy AI¹ experiences, Samsung developed Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP)[5] — a powerful new layer of on-device security that protects your most sensitive data without interrupting your experience. First developed for the PDE, KEEP now also safeguards other Galaxy AI¹ features like Smart Suggestions, Now Brief, Samsung Moments and more, running quietly in the background to ensure that each supported app is kept secure.

Think of your phone like a house. Each app has its own room — separate, but all under the same roof. Then there’s Secure Folder,[6] which works like a fully detached guesthouse with its own key, set apart from the main home. It’s great for keeping certain things extra private, especially when you want complete isolation from the rest of your device. But as AI features like the PDE start handling more sensitive tasks in real time, there’s a growing need for security that’s just as strong, yet more connected to your everyday experience.

That’s where KEEP comes in. Imagine turning part of the house into a private suite — still under the same roof, but with its own secure entrance that only you can use. It’s more private than a regular room, but not completely separate like the guesthouse. KEEP works the same way: it creates a secure, dedicated space for individual apps — like the PDE — so it can safely handle your data without sending it anywhere or getting in the way of how you use your phone.

As our mobile experiences become more intelligent, KEEP ensures your most personal data stays safe by design. Together with tools like Secure Folder, it reinforces Samsung’s multi-layered approach to data protection — giving both users and services the right type of security for different privacy needs.

With Galaxy AI becoming more personal, features like the Personal Data Engine and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection are setting a new standard for mobile intelligence — where personalisation and privacy go hand in hand. As these experiences grow smarter and more attuned to your needs, you can rest assured that your most sensitive information will stay safe on your device, exactly where it belongs.

[1] Fees may apply to certain AI Features at the end of 2025. Certain Galaxy AI features requires Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features.

[2] The Personal Data Engine functions when the Personal Data Intelligence menu is on. Analysed data will be deleted once the Personal Data Intelligence menu is turned off.

[3] Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model and apps. Some features may require a network connection. Modes and Routines need to be enabled to use Personal Data Engine for context-based Routines suggestions. User needs to consent to access permissions such as photos, videos, audio files, and calendar events. May not display moments depending upon exposure policy. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Events schedule notification is supported with calendar apps that utilize Android calendar database and available if Samsung Calendar is installed. Notifications for coupons only available for coupons added to Samsung Wallet with expiration date.

[4] Samsung Account login required. Processing data only on your device allows advanced intelligence features to operate locally, rather than online. Enabling this option may limit the functionality of certain AI features that rely on online data processing for advanced capabilities.

[5] Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 8 or later.

[6] Secure Folder offers users a separate and protected area of their phone or tablet to store sensitive apps and data. It allows users to set up separate profiles which can duplicate your apps. Users can customise the Secure Folder app and set up their own lock type, including PIN, pattern, password and fingerprint. For enhanced security, Secure Folder users are also provided with an option to hide and encrypt the Secure Folder, which helps keep data safe from advanced cybersecurity threats. While hidden, the apps will stop working to keep your data safe. Once the Secure Folder is opened again, the encryption will be deactivated, and the apps will resume normal operation.

This level of personalisation can be incredibly helpful, but the more your phone knows, the more there is to protect. So, what’s keeping all that personal data secure?

Samsung believes there is no privacy without strong security. That’s why every Galaxy device is protected from the chip up by a multi-layered approach, which includes on-device personalisation, user-controlled cloud processing, and ecosystem-wide protection through Samsung Knox Matrix.

At the core of this system is Samsung Knox Vault[2], Samsung’s hardware-based solution for your most sensitive information.

Secured at the Hardware Level

Most devices rely on software alone to guard sensitive data, but Galaxy devices go further.

Knox Vault is a hardware-level security solution that creates a physical barrier between your most private information and everything else. It works like a locked room inside your phone, with its own processor and memory. It pairs a secure processor with dedicated memory, isolating your passwords, PINs, biometrics, and cryptographic keys. These are the kinds of details you don’t want anyone else to access, and Knox Vault is built to make sure they stay private. You don’t need to activate or manage it, it’s always on, working silently in the background, helping keep your data safe while you get on with your day.

This is particularly crucial in the age of AI as user concerns are expanding from traditional cybersecurity threats, like viruses and malware, to worries over leaking personal data, such as conversations with your AI assistant. And as AI becomes part of more everyday tasks, the types of data that need protection are also expanding.

For example, location service metadata from your personal photos, not only details the resolution and file format, but could easily give away where you live and the exact location where the image was taken. In the era of AI, personal information like your address, face clustering ID, person ID, pet type, scene type and more need to encrypted and stored in a safe location. These things aren’t just files — they are deeply connected to your daily life.

Knox Vault helps mitigate these growing concerns by safely storing personal information in a secure, hardware-isolated environment designed to block both physical tampering and remote attacks ensuring your data can’t be accessed without approval.

Personalised AI, Protected at the Core

Knox Vault not only provides protection for today’s threats, it also ensures your privacy as mobile experiences continue to evolve.

As Galaxy AI becomes more useful, it also becomes more personal — learning how you use your device and adapting to your needs. And because this relies on deeply personal data, Knox Vault plays a crucial role in keeping that information private.

Features like Now Brief[3] provide useful summaries and suggestions based on your daily activity, while Modes and Routines[4] creates auto-generated routines by adjusting settings in response to your habits. These tools and the highly tailored AI experiences they enable are guided by a map of personalised data – data that is encrypted, with Knox Vault securing the keys.

Galaxy AI¹ also ensures privacy by processing tasks directly on-device where possible[5], keeping data in your hands and off online servers. Audio Eraser,[6] for example, can remove the background noise from videos or voice recordings without the need for any cloud-based processing — helping your personal comversations stay private. Call Transcript[7] and summary operates in the same way, keeping your calls organised while ensuring personal conversations stay private by remaining on-device.

Knox Vault helps ensure your data is protected, confidential and secure. Building on its role in Galaxy AI¹ as the trusted foundation for security and privacy, Knox Vault will expand across Samsung’s growing AI ecosystem as AI becomes more deeply integrated into the user experience.

Knox Vault is more than a security feature, it’s Samsung’s promise that no matter how advanced your devices become, or how much AI evolves, keeping privacy secured is our goal.

[1] Fees may apply to certain AI Features at the end of 2025. Certain Galaxy AI features requires Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features.

[2] Samsung Knox Vault is included on Galaxy S series, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab S series and more. Knox Vault availability may vary by model.

[3]  Now Brief requires Samsung Account login, app compatibility and user’s consent to access certain information. Service availability may vary.

[4] Modes and Routines requires Samsung Account login. Customised content and recommendations requires Permissions to access data including location, app usage and how you use your device.

[5] Samsung Account login required. Processing data only on your device allows advanced intelligence features to operate locally, rather than online. Enabling this option may limit the functionality of certain AI features that rely on online data processing for advanced capabilities.

[6] Results may vary per video depending on sounds present in the video. Samsung Account login required. Certain types of sound can be detected such as voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. The actual sound detection may vary depending on audio source, and the condition of the video. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[7] Call Transcript feature requires a network connection to receive calls. Samsung Account login required. Summary feature for Call Transcript is capable of automatically transcribing recorded calls when a certain number of characters is met and is under the character limit. Call recording may not be supported in some countries. Currently available on pre-installed Samsung phones and Voice Record app. Service availability may vary by language or region. Certain languages may require language pack download. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

Knox Matrix Unlocks Ultimate Transparency

Knox Matrix is Samsung’s vision for the future, enhancing protection through multi-layered, intelligent threat monitoring between connected and compatible Samsung devices. One UI 7 sets the foundation for the next frontier of security.

• Knox Matrix monitors connected devices through Trust Chain, a secure private blockchain — and the new Knox Matrix dashboard introduces an easier way to maintain transparent security across a connected device ecosystem. With One UI 7, it’s more intuitive than ever to check the security status of multiple connected Samsung smart devices, including compatible Galaxy mobile devices, TVs and home appliances, at a glance. When all connected devices are updated to the latest software and no risks are detected, they will show as ‘green,’ or secure. Users can also see if a device is at risk, and the dashboard will prompt an actionable recommendation to help mitigate the threat.
• A new recovery method for Enhanced Data Protection adds ease and convenience to the process of retrieving data stored on Samsung Cloud. Enhanced Data Protection keeps connected devices synchronised and secure, also ensuring that if access to a trusted device is lost, users have a backup plan to help prevent the loss of their data. With One UI 7, users can now transfer recovered, private data to a new Galaxy device by verifying the lock screen factor – whether pin, pattern or password – of their previous device.
• As part of Knox Matrix’s Credential Sync, Samsung has developed new ways to manage and secure identities and credentials for today’s hyperconnected world in the form of passkeys[2]. With One UI 7, users can now create and use passkeys to log into their Samsung Account. As digital authentication credentials, passkeys enable a faster, easier way to securely log in to apps, devices and websites — so users can safely sign into their compatible TVs, AI Family Hub refrigerator and more, simply by using the fingerprint sensor on their smartphones.

Maximum Restrictions Boost User Control

Maximum Restrictions establishes a powerful line of defense against today’s cyber threats. One UI 7 further enhances user choice with new features designed to protect those who may need additional safeguards. Maximum Restrictions has been updated with added controls for network connections so users can enjoy the added peace of mind that comes from boosted protection without losing access to key device functionalities. Thanks to the added controls, users have the choice to block 2G service and prevent data from being intercepted when connected to potentially unsafe networks. Users can also prevent unintended automatic reconnection to certain Wi-Fi networks[3] that may be less secure, ensuring data remains private while still having the option to connect manually if desired.

This update enhances Maximum Restrictions’ existing suite of protections for Samsung Messages and Samsung Gallery, which allows users to remove location data in shared photos, prevent automatic attachment downloads, and block hyperlinks, previews and shared albums.

More Security Settings Bring Added Device Protection

One UI 7 introduces even more ways users can adjust security settings to best suit the ways in which they use their device. Users can choose to block USB connections to prevent any other access through the USB port while the device is locked, except for battery charging.

To protect against malicious apps that come from sideloading, One UI 7’s new Safe Install system works alongside Auto Blocker to send a warning when a user attempts to download from an unauthorised source, alerting them of security risks and preventing unintentional sideloading on Galaxy devices worldwide[4].

Theft Protection Enhances Data Privacy

One UI 7 introduces new features available only on select Galaxy devices to the Android suite of theft protection solutions, enhancing the safeguards in place to ensure personal data remains secure even when devices are lost or stolen. In addition to Theft Detection Lock,[5] Offline Device Lock and Remote Lock, Galaxy users can now leverage additional security measures in Identity Check, an opt-in feature designed for when a device’s PIN becomes compromised. If suspicious activity is detected, users can rest assured that these Galaxy-exclusive protections will kick in.

• When in an unfamiliar location, biometric authentication will be required to make any changes to important security settings that could put personal information at risk.
• As an added safeguard, a one-hour security delay will prevent unauthorised users from making any immediate changes to the device.

One UI 7 is the next step in Samsung’s commitment to privacy on AI, introducing advanced security features to ensure complete protection in the era of AI. The official One UI 7 release will commence with upcoming Galaxy S series devices, featuring additional AI capabilities including enhanced, hardware-dependent on-device AI functions, starting from the first quarter of 2025. In line with Samsung’s commitment to extend its OS upgrade policy, the update will gradually roll out to other compatible Galaxy devices.

The One UI 7 beta program will be first available for Galaxy S24 series devices in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, from December 5. Galaxy S24 series users can apply to join the beta program via Samsung Members.

[1] Availability, features and specifications provided in this article are subject to change and may vary by market and/or model.

[2] Timing of availability may vary by region, network provider and/or model.

[3] Maximum Restrictions prevents automatic, unintended reconnection to less secure networks, which may include Open, Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).This protects users from device traffic that may be interrupted. Preventing automatic reconnection to Wi-Fi networks is available under Wi-Fi setting though with One UI7, this feature would be available under maximum restrictions. Launch for this and the 2G block would be with the release of One UI 7.

[4] Availability and timing will vary by market, OS version and/or model

[5] Timing of availability may vary by region, network provider and/or model.

Samsung has made it a priority to give you peace of mind when using connected device ecosystems as Knox Vault, passkeys and Knox Matrix help protect you and your digital life.

Knox Vault

At Samsung, we’re constantly exploring ways to add extra layers of security to our products through software and hardware innovations. One example is our hardware-backed Knox Vault which combines a secure processor with secure memory to isolate your data — like PINs, passwords and biometrics — from the rest of your device to help safeguard against physical or remote reach of your data.

But we’re not stopping there. With many people now using multiple devices, we’re expanding Knox Vault to more devices[1] and bringing the safest mobile experience to a wider audience. You can rest assured that our technologies will constantly evolve as we continue to prioritise keeping you and your data safe.

Passkeys

As our device ecosystems continue to grow, we’ve all experienced the bothersome task of logging into apps and websites with passwords that are often long, complicated and easy to forget. But what if they no longer existed, and it was still possible to securely share information across multiple devices?

This is our vision for passkeys — digital credentials that can be used for authentication across websites and apps, enabled by Knox Matrix with Galaxy smartphones and tablets.[2] Passkeys allow users to log in to apps and websites on Galaxy devices using Samsung Pass in Samsung Wallet.[3] This safe and easy feature enables users to sign in with biometric authentication like fingerprints and eliminates the need to remember current passwords or reset forgotten ones. Convenient without compromising security, passkeys mark a significant step toward a passwordless future.

Passkeys offer a fast, easy and secure device experience. You’ll save time by no longer needing to type your account username into your device — simply select the account you wish to sign into. Once passkeys are registered, it is easy to switch over to a new connected device as there is no need to sign in all over again. Passkeys only work on users’ registered websites and applications, helping to safeguard against phishing attacks from malicious sites or apps.

Knox Matrix

Providing new ways to secure identities and credentials for a hyperconnected world, passkeys are part of Credential Sync — a key component of Knox Matrix. We live in an age where we’re surrounded by connected devices from our phones to TVs, and even our refrigerators. This connectivity offers exciting new opportunities but also poses an increased risk of exploitation. Security offerings that protect single devices are no longer enough when one compromised device has the potential to negatively impact others within the same ecosystem — presenting the need for another layer of protection.

That’s why we’ve built Knox Matrix, our next frontier of security and vision for a safer future. The security system is a comprehensive approach that will become increasingly essential as more devices and aspects of our lives become connected — turning your home into a smart shield and keeping you and your ecosystem of connected devices safe. Knox Matrix functions as your private blockchain system where connected devices help ensure security at core stages through multi-layered, intelligent threat monitoring with compatible devices cross-checking each other for breaches.

Credential Sync secures your information when moving data from device to device, making it easy to manage multiple logins while encrypting information. By sharing credentials across devices, we aim to help protect your entire device ecosystem — so you don’t have to sacrifice security for connectivity or convenience.

Knox Matrix offers even more advanced protection for your entire device ecosystem with Trust Chain. In Trust Chain, connected devices monitor each other for security threats, provide notifications if ever attacked and share actions taken to block the threat. Also, Cross Platform SDK allows devices on different operating systems to join Knox Matrix with consistent security standards. This means you can enjoy strong security across the board with Knox Matrix whether your Samsung devices are based on Android, Tizen, Windows or other operating systems.

Samsung wants you to be able to navigate this increasingly connected world freely and comfortably with Samsung Galaxy, both now and in the future. To that end, we’re committed to helping you get the most out of your digital experience with Knox Vault and Knox Matrix. As we head towards a passwordless future, these powerful solutions will help ensure you’re backed up by security you can trust.

[1]  Including but not limited to Galaxy S series, Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab S series and more. Knox Vault availability may vary by model.

[2] Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with Samsung Pass, supporting One UI 6 or later.

[3] Availability of Samsung Wallet and Samsung Pass may vary depending on market or model.

Secure Wi-Fi:

With Samsung’s Secure Wi-Fi, you can work from wherever you’re most comfortable. This feature lets you browse the internet safely, even when using unsecured, public Wi-Fi networks, offering secure protection by encrypting internet traffic. For enhanced privacy protection, you can even route your internet traffic through two separate relays to make it difficult to access your IP address. This is especially effective when you’re working remotely in public spaces.

To use Secure Wi-Fi, go to Settings, Security and Privacy, and select More Security Settings. From there, tap into Secure Wi-Fi, and you’re on your way. You can also add the Secure Wi-Fi icon directly to your home screen for easy access to the app.

Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Wi-Fi

With Galaxy, you can work remotely with peace of mind, knowing that your data and information is protected from the potential threats of public networks. Secure Wi-Fi even offers free protection of up to 1024 MB per month, automatically enabled upon connection[1], with additional plans available at any time for those who wish to upgrade.

Samsung Internet:

Samsung Internet brings user-centric security and privacy features to web browsing, enabling you to freely browse your favorite websites while helping to safeguard your privacy. Under Samsung Internet, we’ve created a myriad of features all geared towards helping to keep you and your online experience safe.

First, the browser offers a comprehensive overview of how it helps to protect your web experience, detailed in your Privacy Dashboard, available via the Quick Access page. This offers a detailed record of weekly activities and settings that can be adjusted to suit your privacy preferences, whenever you choose. To find this, go to the browser, tap the three lines icon, and select Privacy.

For extra security, Samsung Internet also enables private environments with Secret Mode. This could come in handy while shopping for a gift you want to keep a surprise from anyone who might have access to your device. With this option, you’ll get the same browsing experience as you would normally experience on Samsung Internet, but with extra privacy and protection. Cookies and browsing history for any websites you visit in Secret Mode will be deleted from your phone as soon as all your Secret Mode tabs are closed. You can even save pages and bookmarks, but anything you save will only be visible in Secret Mode. To use this feature, go to Samsung Internet, and from the main screen, tap on the Tab Manager icon on the bottom where you can manage your open pages. Activate Secret Mode by tapping “Turn on Secret mode”.

Samsung Internet > Tab Manager icon > Turn on Secret mode

Samsung Internet also provides the AI-powered Smart Anti-tracking function, which is turned on by default. This feature helps to block cookies and third-party attempting to track your personal information, as well as helping to prevent cross-site trackers from using techniques for getting around tracker blocking. Smart Anti-tracking also lets you default to a safe HTTPS setting when typing a URL and can detect and apply protection against domains that collude with classified trackers. To use Smart Anti-tracking, go into the Privacy Dashboard within Samsung Internet, and tap Smart Anti-tracking.

Samsung Internet > Privacy dashboard > Smart anti-tracking

Finally, Samsung Internet enables Ad Blocker. We know that when you’re browsing you might encounter ads that you want to get rid of for a seamless experience. That’s why we’ve enabled you to download third-party ad blockers. To block ads via Samsung Internet, launch the Samsung Internet app and tap the three lines icon (menu), before selecting Ad blockers. Here, we’ll recommend a selection of blockers for you to choose from and download.

Samsung Internet > menu > Ad blockers

With your Samsung Galaxy device, there’s no need to worry about when and where you can surf the web. We’ve thought of it all and we’ve put measures in place to help keep you protected during your online experience – no matter where you are.

[1] Secure Wi-Fi offers free protection of up to 1024MB per month for Android OS 12 or later, and 250MB per month for Android OS 11 or earlier versions. Availability details may vary by market or network provider and connectivity is subject to applicable network environments.

It can be hard to know the right way to do this. For example, you might have concerns around the security of third-party messaging platforms. Or you might be worried that your sensitive information and data could be lost or compromised in the event of a server attack or the loss of your phone. When connecting to another device, you might also worry about who can see your data, and how to keep it secure.

At Samsung, we’ve thought of all this and made it our mission to help keep you protected so you can safely and comfortably share your data.

Private Sharing with Quick Share

Ever been in a situation like this? You want to share pictures of your newborn baby, or a video from your recent holiday, but don’t want to risk them somehow ending up online or visible to anyone other than those you intended.

Samsung Galaxy has a built-in solution to this problem: Quick Share’s Private Sharing, a privacy-preserving file-sharing function that lets you share your data with peace of mind.

With Private Sharing, you and you alone own the data. You can ensure that only the designated recipients can open the files you send – no one else. You can also set permissions and expiration dates for the data, so it’s only viewable for a limited amount of time. Further, you can give read-only access without the ability to re-share; revoke the data access whenever you like; restrict screenshotting, and see when the recipient received and opened the file.

Private Sharing makes it safe and easy to share your content, and you can share up to 20 files at once with a total size of up to 200MB.[1] And of course, all your files are encrypted when shared, courtesy of blockchain-based encryption technology.

To use Private Sharing, select the file you want to send and tap the Share icon. Tap Quick Share, followed by the three dots for more options in the top right corner. Then select Turn on Private Sharing. Once the message has been sent, you can check what you’ve sent and change the expiration date or revoke sharing permissions.

▲ Select file > Quick Share > Three dots (more options) > Turn on Private sharing

No more worries about misfiring a private photo or file. With Quick Share’s Private Sharing, you’re in control of your data and whom you choose to share it with, with visibility into file share status every step of the way.

Data Protection with End-to-End Encryption

Starting with the Galaxy S24, Enhanced Data Protection offers additional protection for Galaxy devices when you sync or back up your data with Samsung Cloud.[2] This feature helps mitigate against the risk of data loss via end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which ensures data can only be encrypted or decrypted on your device and cannot be seen by anyone but you.

When you activate Enhanced Data Protection, you’ll be prompted to write down a recovery code to help prevent the loss of your data in the event you lose your device.

To use Enhanced Data Protection, open the Samsung Cloud app, tap the three dots for more options, choose Settings, and then Enhanced Data Protection. From here, you can choose to encrypt backup or synced data. Alternatively, you can open your device Settings and go to Security and Privacy to find this feature.

▲ Samsung Cloud > Three dots (more options) > Settings > Enhanced data protection

End-to-end encrypted data is only accessible on devices using the Enhanced Data Protection feature, and cannot be accessed by anyone else, including Samsung.

We know that our users want to be able to enjoy their lives safely with the knowledge that their devices and data are protected. Galaxy helps you to do just that – so you can safely go out there knowing we have your back.

[1] Private Sharing is supported between Galaxy devices with Android OS 10 (Q OS) or later & One UI 2.1 or later. A maximum of 20 files and 200MB can be transferred at one time. Shareable file types include images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .webp, .heic, .dng), videos (.webm, .mp4, .3gp, .3g2, .mkv), audio (.mp3, .wav, .ogg, .m4a), and documents (.txt, .pdf).

[2] Enhanced Data Protection availability and support may vary by device model and OS.

But while technology changes, your right to privacy doesn’t. New developments means new ways of data being processed. At Samsung, we think you should have the full picture when it comes to your personal information. We believe transparency, choice and control must be at the core of the mobile experience.

In this highly digitalised world, your security and privacy are more important than ever, so it’s only right that our users have full control over their devices. That’s why we focus on providing solutions that allow you to have complete control and total empowerment over how your data is used.

Security & Privacy Dashboard:

This belief is the cornerstone of our Security & Privacy Dashboard. The Dashboard enables you to have complete control over your data, including who sees it and how it gets used. In one simple and easy-to-use interface, you can view, create and update your app permissions, controls and data-sharing features – effectively enabling you to call the shots on your data and customise your experience, your way.

The Dashboard also allows you to see any data that may be at risk, intuitively showing you the safety status of security items.

Settings > Security and privacy

From there, you can quickly and easily change your settings to manage potential dangers at the touch of a button. Items are ordered in priority of the functions that could have the most significant impact on your online safety – such as lock screen, account security, lost device protection via Find My Mobile, app security and updates. These are instantly accessible at the top, with intuitive red, yellow or green alerts showing any problems at a glance and providing clear indicators of any security issues.

Apps can continue tracking data for months, even when they are not in use – but Galaxy devices proactively remove permissions from apps that have not been used in a while, which can then be reinstated if you choose in the Dashboard.

You can do this through Permission Manager and Permission Usage. Permission Manager easily shows you which apps can access your data – whether it’s your location, camera or microphone and in which context (for example, if it’s only when using the app). Permission Usage provides an easy way for you to see your recently used permissions – specifically, which apps have used a certain permission in the last 24 hours or seven days. To make things even easier, we also provide instant action prompts through the Dashboard to help make data decisions more intuitive and transparent.

It’s simple to access your Security & Privacy Dashboard. Just go to Settings and Security & Privacy, where you can review and adjust permissions as you see fit.

You can also play with features to further enhance your device’s privacy, such as the Clipboard Access toggle. Turning this setting on (by going to Settings, then Privacy and looking for the toggle “Alert when clipboard accessed”) means that any time an app pastes something from your clipboard, you’ll get a notification. No more hidden activity.

Providing an easier way to see and understand your data privacy with Galaxy. We put the control in your hands.

Find My Mobile / Samsung Find:

It’s one of life’s inevitabilities – at some point, we all misplace our phones. But with Find My Mobile and Samsung Find, you no longer need to worry about your device’s personal information getting into the wrong hands.

Once Find My Mobile is enabled, Samsung Find allows you to locate, lock and even erase your device’s data to create an access lockdown. Through Samsung Find, it’s not only your Galaxy phone you can hunt down – but also your compatible Galaxy Buds, tablets, watches and other devices.

The additional options available make it easier than ever to find your devices. Users can invite family members in the Samsung Find app to view the location or activate ringing noises to help track down shared devices. To give yourself the best chance of locating lost devices with Samsung Find, you can extend the battery life by remotely turning on power saving mode.

Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection

With Galaxy, you’re empowered to stay in complete control of your device – even when it’s not physically with you.

Advanced Intelligence settings:

Samsung is also focused on enhancing the device experience through dedicated AI features while prioritising privacy in the era of AI. Many of our Galaxy AI features use on-device data processing like the Live Translate feature which uses the on-device language pack, meaning sensitive information stays with you and you alone. For features like Generative Edit that do require processing in the cloud or external servers, we make sure your data is protected and never used for machine learning or targeting ads.

In a world of AI-enhanced experiences, we know that not everyone wants to use cloud-based AI. For some, keeping data on-device is a priority. So, while innovation is important to us, we believe it’s just as, if not more important that we continue to empower our users with the choice over their own experience.

That choice is yours with our Advanced Intelligence settings.[1] Built into our Galaxy AI-supported devices, these settings let you decide how much you allow your data to enhance AI experiences and whether you want to allow online processing for full AI functionality.

To access the settings, open Settings and select Advanced features, then Advanced intelligence. Here, you’ll see the option to “Process data only on device.”

Settings > Advanced features > Advanced intelligence

We’re still just as committed to providing our users with transparency, choice and control over their devices in this epic new world. It’s all up to you, and we’ve made it easier to see and understand what happens to your data at all times.

Your privacy, secured with Galaxy.

[1] Availability may vary by device model, OS and/or market.