In response to the growing issue of phone theft worldwide, Samsung is encouraging all Galaxy users to activate new anti-theft features now available through the latest One UI 7 update. These enhancements are part of Samsung’s ongoing commitment to smarter, stronger device protection empowering users to stay in control, even in high-risk situations.
The One UI 7 update, which first launched with the Galaxy S25 series in February, is now rolling out to more Galaxy devices throughout the year, including the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, S23 and S22 series.
A key highlight of this update is the introduction of Theft Protection, a multi-layered security suite designed to safeguard personal data even if a device is stolen. It enhances existing Android protections by addressing complex scenarios where access credentials may have been exposed.
Among the upgraded features is Theft Detection Lock, which uses motion sensing powered by AI to detect theft-like movements such as snatching, automatically locking the screen to prevent unauthorized access. Offline Device Lock ensures the phone locks itself when disconnected from a network for an extended period. Remote Lock allows users to secure their device using just their phone number and a quick verification step, even if their account has been compromised.
New anti-robbery features included in One UI 7 are Identity Check and Security Delay. Identity Check adds a protective layer in unfamiliar locations by requiring biometric authentication to access or change key security settings, especially when a PIN may be compromised. Security Delay introduces a one-hour waiting period if an attempt is made to reset biometric data, giving users critical time to remotely secure their phone from another device.
Samsung advises users to enable these settings as soon as possible, ensuring stronger control in the event of theft or loss.
In the unfortunate event that a Samsung Galaxy device is stolen, users can take the following steps. First, they can remotely lock their device by signing into Samsung Find, selecting Lost Mode, setting a PIN, and confirming their identity. A custom message can also be displayed on the locked screen.
If recovery isn’t possible, users may remotely erase data by selecting the Erase Data option via the Samsung Find website. This will permanently delete all personal content, including Samsung Pay details, and reset the phone. Users are advised to regularly back up data to the cloud for easy restoration to a new device.
It’s also recommended to change Samsung and Google account passwords immediately via their respective websites to prevent further access. This step logs out those accounts from all other connected devices.
Users can track their phone through Samsung Find, which shows the last known location if the device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Additional tools like ringing the device, activating power-saving mode, and real-time tracking updates can also help increase the chances of recovery.
Galaxy Watch and Buds users can also locate their devices through the Galaxy Wearable app or watch interface. Google’s Find My Device is another useful platform for Android users with a Google account, allowing them to ring, lock, or erase their devices.
After taking these digital security steps, users should report the theft to the police and obtain an official incident report. It’s also important to notify the mobile network provider to suspend the SIM card and prevent misuse.
Samsung also encourages users to consider protection plans that offer coverage for loss, theft, or accidental damage. More information on available plans can be found at Samsung.com.
For maximum peace of mind, users are encouraged to explore and activate the latest security tools today.