One UI 6 is finally available for some users in full, bringing a list of changes to the OS. One change is the addition of a new security tool called “Auto Blocker” which acts as additional security for Samsung Galaxy phones.

According to Samsung, Auto Blocker is intended to be somewhat of an expansion of additional and optional security tools at your disposal. Heading into the settings with bring you to a new page with a suite of options that are entirely a matter of preference, similar to how some would use malware protection on a computer.

One security option on this page is the familiar “Block app installation from unauthorized sources” feature. Normally, that option would be on a different page, but has since moved with One UI 6/ The option is now also off by default, which is a big change from previous versions of One UI where the first time users tried to sideload an app, it was blocked.

Now, users can sideload as much as they want with the knowledge that it’s not always entirely safe. The option will act as a prevention tool whenever apps are not being sideloaded intentionally.

Auto Blocker also brings app security checks to keep third-party programs in check, as well as a blocker for USB commands. Turning Samsung’s Auto Blocker on with the toggle at the top of that page looks to enable all three of these features at the same time. Below is an “Advanced” section with more tools that can be turned on and off individually, like Message Guard, to protect users from Zero Click attacks and malicious code in direct messages.

Auto Blocker is available for every Samsung Galaxy device running One UI 6, which is rolling out globally now.

Samsung confirms a list of over 20 Galaxy smartphones that will get Android 14

Earlier today Samsung officially announced that its Android 14 update is now rolling out to the Galaxy S23 series, and the company has also confirmed the first few Galaxy smartphones that will be eligible for Android 14 in the coming months.

Android 14 for Samsung devices comes in the form of One UI 6.0, an update that delivers platform improvements from Google as well as updates to Samsung’s skin. Those updates include a bunch of new camera features, updated emoji, and more. But, to start, it’s all exclusive to the Galaxy S23 series which is getting the update now.

What comes next?

According to a small list that Samsung has provided, other Galaxy smartphones getting Android 14 will begin with the past few years of flagships, foldables, and a couple of A-Series devices.

In talking about the new features coming to “Enhance-X,” Samsung also confirmed over 20 devices that will be updated to One UI 6.0, many of which come as no surprise. That initial list includes devices released in 2020 and newer, starting with Galaxy S series devices.

• Galaxy S23 series
• Galaxy S22 series
• Galaxy S21 series
• Galaxy S20 series

Beyond that, almost every Samsung foldable is going to get One UI 6.0 except for the original Galaxy Fold.

• Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Galaxy Z Fold 4
• Galaxy Z Fold 3
• Galaxy Z Fold 2
• Galaxy Z Flip 5
• Galaxy Z Flip 4
• Galaxy Z Flip 3
• Galaxy Z Flip 5G
• Galaxy Z Flip

And, finally, Samsung has also confirmed that Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy A54, and Galaxy A53 will all be eligible, as well as some M-series devices.

• Galaxy Note 20 series
• Galaxy A54
• Galaxy A53
• Galaxy A34
• Galaxy A33
• Galaxy M54
• Galaxy M53
• Galaxy M34
• Galaxy M33

Update: To address the elephant in the room, the Galaxy S20 series, Note 20 series, Flip/5G, and Fold 2 were not expected to get One UI 6.0, but Samsung’s wording here is pretty clear. The quote below is a footnote on Samsung’s blog post and refers to a new camera feature which requires One UI 6.0 or higher, meaning that the devices listed would need to be getting the update.

Available on Galaxy S23 series, S22 series, S21 series, S20 series, Note20 series, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Z Fold3, Z Flip3, Z Fold2, Z Flip 5G and Z Flip LTE, A54, A53, A34, A33, M54, M53, M34, M33 devices operating on One UI 6.0 or above.

This list has also been updated with M-series devices, as mentioned on Samsung’s Global newsroom.

We have reached out to Samsung for comment on the status of 2020 device updates.

These devices will all get One UI 6.0 in time, and likely pretty quickly if last year’s Android 13 rollout serves as any indication. For now, though, we’re still waiting on Samsung to release Android 14 to the Galaxy S23 series in the US, which is coming “soon.”

This initial list, notably, is by no means complete. Samsung’s current policy for software updates means that many more smartphones and tablets will be updated to Android 14, but the company has not officially confirmed anything outside of this initial list.