This Samsung Galaxy feature can protect you from untrustworthy apps

Samsung’s Auto Blocker is a built-in security feature on Galaxy phones running One UI 6 or later. It can prevent risky app installations and block potentially harmful USB commands and message images, helping protect users from common routes for malware.

The feature is enabled by default on devices shipping with One UI 6.1.1 or later, but it can make installing apps from outside the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store harder. Epic Games argued in a 2024 lawsuit that downloading its store could require more than 20 steps; the case was later dropped after an agreement with Samsung. Users can switch Auto Blocker off in Security and privacy settings, and One UI 8.5 or later can automatically turn it back on after 30 minutes. Samsung recommends leaving it on and disabling it only when there is a specific need.