Today on Myke Educate, lets explore Google Theft Protection on Samsung. Some recent security features have been implemented in Samsung’s One UI 6.1, and I may have missed some of them earlier. One feature seems to have already been there, but there’s also something completely new! If you own a Samsung phone, specifically the S24 Ultra, let’s explore what's new.
New Google Theft Protection and Samsung One UI 6.1 Security Features
Start by opening Settings, then scroll down to Security and Privacy. You’ll see a section called More Security Settings. While some of these existed before—like secure folder, secure Wi-Fi, and enhanced data protection—two key features caught my attention.
The first feature is Android Safe Browsing, which reminds me of Google’s Theft Protection on Pixel devices. Android Safe Browsing alerts you to security threats such as harmful links and web pages. You might get an alert if you tap on a link that directs you to a phishing site. It’s a great safeguard, and it’s currently supported by over 90,000 apps. Some apps, such as Google Play Services, FC Mobile, Mixcloud, and even the CPU Throttling Test, are automatically protected by this feature, even though the throttling app isn’t available on the Play Store. The latest version of Safe Browsing includes more accurate threat detection, and while you can toggle it on or off, I recommend keeping it on for extra protection.
The second new feature, specific to Samsung devices, is Google Theft Protection. This feature offers built-in safeguards that protect your personal data if your phone is stolen. Let’s say you’re outside, enjoying coffee with your phone in hand, and suddenly someone grabs it and runs. Theft Protection detects that your phone has been stolen and locks the screen automatically to prevent unauthorized access to your personal data.
These settings are off by default, but when you enable them, the system will explain how they work. For instance, Theft Detection Lock uses motion sensors and Wi-Fi to detect suspicious activity. If you’re at home connected to your Wi-Fi, the feature won’t activate when someone like your child grabs the phone. But when you’re outside and disconnected from your Wi-Fi, Theft Protection can activate if the device is taken. The phone learns your usage patterns to ensure better accuracy.
Another feature is the Offline Device Lock, which locks your screen shortly after your device goes offline. This is especially useful if someone steals your phone and disables the internet to prevent location tracking. Your screen will still lock, securing your data. I’ve enabled this feature for added security.
Additional settings include the Remote Lock feature, which allows you to lock your phone using just your phone number if it’s lost or stolen. To activate this, you need to verify your phone number, so Google knows it’s you. You can also use Find and Erase Your Device to locate and wipe your phone via the Find My Device feature, which has been available for a while.
These Google Theft Protection features have now integrated with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, offering a higher level of security. It’s up to you to decide which settings work best for you, but they provide excellent protection for your personal data. I hope this information was helpful.
