Samsung Issues Critical Anti-Theft Update for Galaxy Devices

Samsung is rolling out an urgent anti-theft update for its Galaxy smartphone users, strongly encouraging them to enable and update the latest security features. This initiative is particularly highlighted in the UK, where Samsung is collaborating with the Home Office to combat mobile phone thefts.

The company is issuing alerts to approximately 40 million UK account holders, urging them to activate these enhanced security measures. While primarily focused on the UK, these features are beneficial for Galaxy users globally.

The update, part of the recent One UI 7 release, includes a suite of new and improved security tools. These encompass biometric security, remote lock capabilities, and a theft detection lock tool. Initially introduced with the newest Galaxy S25 models, these advanced anti-theft features are now being made available to a wider range of older Galaxy devices.

Annika Bizon, Samsung's VP of product and marketing for mobile experience, emphasized the company's commitment to customer safety and security. She stated that Samsung is doing everything possible to ensure user safety and will continue to raise awareness about the extensive security features available. The One UI 7 update builds on existing protections with features like "Identity Check" for stronger protection in complex theft scenarios, "Offline Device Lock" to secure devices even without network connection, and a "Security Delay" that provides a crucial buffer if someone attempts to reset biometric data.