One UI 7 brings big security improvements and better transparency

Today, Samsung opened the One UI 7.0 Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series in select countries. It also detailed all the new features that are a part of the One UI 7.0 update. Alongside new Galaxy AI features and design improvements, Samsung has added new and improved privacy and security features.

One UI 7.0 brings new and improved security features

Samsung has added five major security features to One UI 7.0: Knox Matrix Dashboard, data recovery method for Enhanced Data Protection, Passkeys support for Samsung Account, improved Maximum Restrictions option in Auto Blocker, and improved Theft Protection.

1. Knox Matrix Dashboard: Knox Matrix is a blockchain-based security monitoring system. It creates a private blockchain between all your Samsung devices (home appliances, phones, tablets, and TVs) and monitors threats on those devices.

With Knox Matrix Dashboard, you can view the security status of each of your devices. In case of a security issue, the dashboard will show an actionable recommendation to mitigate the risk.

2. Enhanced Data Protection Recovery Method: The Enhanced Data Protection feature keeps the data on Samsung Cloud end-to-end encrypted and syncs it to all your Samsung devices.

When one of those devices is lost, users will now have the option to recover data from that device and restore it to a new device. It can be done by verifying the password, pattern, or PIN of the lost device.

3. Passkeys support for Samsung Account: While Samsung added support for passkeys with One UI 6.1, Samsung Account didn’t have the passkey option.

With One UI 7.0, you can create a passkey for your Samsung Account and use it to log into your Samsung devices such as AI Family Hub Refrigerator, smartphone, tablet, or TV.

4. Auto Blocker’s improved Maximum Restriction option: When you activate the Maximum Restriction feature on your Galaxy phone or tablet running One UI 7.0, it stops the device from connecting to a 2G network or an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

You can block USB connections (except for charging) when the device is locked.

5. Improved Theft Protection: With the Identity Check feature in One UI 7.0, if a phone finds itself in an unfamiliar location, it will require biometric authentication to make any changes to the device’s security settings.

A one-hour delay will prevent unauthorized users from immediately changing the phone’s security, like changing the PIN.