This Android Feature Is Disappearing on Samsung Phones (But…)

Android is saying goodbye to a very popular feature among Samsung fans. And luckily for them, it can be reversed.

Every Samsung smartphone is packed with interesting features. But sometimes Android finds a feature that is no longer useful or safe. However, every now and then Google finds a particular feature that is no longer useful or even safe. In many cases like this, these functions start with the Northern Lights.

One of these useful options has recently disappeared from your Samsung device. Some apps are suddenly no longer able to be installed, but fortunately it can be fixed quickly.

This Android feature is a thing of the past on Samsung

Anyone who wants to download apps to their Android device doesn’t have to do it solely through the Google Play Store. It’s also possible to do it through another download store or even online. We call this “sideloading.” This option is disabled by default on newer Samsung Galaxy phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold6.

The change is part of the One UI 6.1.1 update. This update is available for the latest devices and is also rolling out to older models. The new feature, Auto Blocker, does exactly what the name suggests: it automatically blocks the installation of apps from unknown sources.

This is really annoying if you have a great app in mind and can’t find it in the Play Store. But it’s also understandable, because if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, sideloading can expose you to security risks. You run a slightly higher risk of getting infected by viruses or hackers.

For experienced Android users, this feature is indispensable because of the great freedom of choice it provides. The good news is that you can still install apps from outside the App Store. It just takes a little more effort.

Android turns it off, but Samsung turns it on

If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone with One UI 6.1.1 and you can’t download apps, go to Institutions. tap on Security and Privacyand then car blockerThere you can turn off the switch.

You’ll then need to provide biometric verification, usually a fingerprint, to confirm the change. Please note that you can enable the Android feature again if you restore data from a phone running an older version of Samsung software, before the One UI 6.1.1 update.

You can now enjoy apps outside the Play Store again. Only install apps from outside the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store if you are sure they come from trusted developers and sources.

Samsung’s One UI 7 and iOS 18 could be (almost) siblings.

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