SAMSUNG GALAXY
How to turn on Auto Blocker on a Samsung Galaxy phone
In short
Open Settings, Security and privacy, Auto Blocker and tap the switch at the top. It blocks apps from unauthorized sources, commands sent over a USB cable, malware images in messaging apps and non-official software updates.
Well, phone security can feel like a long list of things you are meant to remember. Auto Blocker is the happy exception: Samsung says this single switch helps guard your phone by stopping apps from unofficial sources installing and by blocking anything that looks suspicious. It was off on our phone.
Should you turn it on? For most people yes, and Samsung recommends keeping it on. While it is on, apps from outside Google Play and the Galaxy Store cannot be installed, and apps already downloaded from other sources cannot be updated. Official software updates are not affected.
5 of 5 steps show a real screenshot from our Galaxy S26.
Steps
- 1
Open Security and privacy
Open Settings and tap Security and privacy.
- 2
Find Auto Blocker
Tap Search at the bottom of Settings, type Auto Blocker and tap the result under Security and privacy.
- 3
Switch it on
Tap the switch next to Off to turn it on.
- 4
Know what it blocks
Apps from sources other than the Play Store or Galaxy Store, commands from chargers or computers over USB, suspicious images in messaging apps, and software updates not certified by Samsung.
- 5
Check Turn on automatically
If you switch Auto Blocker off, for example to install an app from a website, this option turns it back on by itself 30 minutes later. It is greyed out while Auto Blocker is off.
If you do not see this option
- No Auto Blocker row? Scroll to the very bottom of Security and privacy, or use Settings search as in step 2.
- On One UI 8.5 Our Galaxy A57 with One UI 8.5 had Auto Blocker near the top of the Security and privacy page.
- Looking for stronger protection? Samsung offers Maximum restrictions for more security at some cost to convenience. It adds app scanning and removes location data from pictures shared from Gallery. Samsung says these features arrived with One UI 6.1.1. Source: Protect your Samsung Galaxy device with the Auto Blocker feature
If this does not work
- A computer cannot see the phone over USB That can be Blocks commands by USB cable, which blocks unauthorized commands when the phone is connected to a computer. Turn Auto Blocker off while you need the connection; charging still works.
- An app from a website will not install That is Auto Blocker blocking apps from unauthorized sources, the first item on its page. If you're sure the app is safe, switch Auto Blocker off for a moment and try once more.
- A work app stopped working? Samsung says work or enterprise apps may not function with Maximum restrictions on, because that option prevents device admin apps and work profiles from being activated. Turn Maximum restrictions off if your work phone needs them.
- No calls or data in some places? With Maximum restrictions on, Samsung says 2G networks are blocked. Where only 2G is available, calls, texts and mobile data will not work, so it is worth checking this before a trip somewhere coverage is patchy.
Good to know
To install an app from outside the stores you have to switch Auto Blocker off first. Only do this if you're sure the app is safe, and only for a moment.
Auto Blocker is built to keep your phone safe without getting in the way, and Samsung says it tells you whenever it blocks an app from installing. Charging over USB is not affected. Apps from outside the stores that are already installed cannot be updated while it is on.
About this guide
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Security and privacy › Auto Blocker
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
The screenshots are from our Samsung Galaxy S26, the Korean model SM-S942N, with One UI 9 and Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG), in Dark mode. The menus might look different depending on the model and software version. We opened Auto Blocker but did not switch it on, because it blocks the USB connection we take screenshots over.
What changed: every step re-shot on our own Galaxy S26 (Korean model SM-S942N) on One UI 9, dark mode, with the steps rewritten for the One UI 9 screens.
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Did this guide work for you?
Sorry about that. What happened?