Samsung’s One UI 8 will be based on Android 16, and it could introduce a helpful security feature that blocks USB devices when your phone is locked. Google is adding this feature to Advanced Protection Mode with Android 16, which stops hackers from accessing your phone through USB connections.

If you’ve ever worried about someone accessing your data when your phone is locked, this feature might give you peace of mind. With the One UI 8 update, if your phone is locked, any USB device reportedly won’t be able to connect or send data to your device until it’s unlocked.

This is useful if your phone gets lost or stolen, and someone tries to hack into it using a USB tool. Only after unlocking the phone and plugging the USB device back in will it start working.

Image via Android Authority

When activated, your phone will warn you about “suspicious USB activity” if someone tries to connect a USB device while your phone is locked. You would need to unlock your phone and reconnect the device to use it.

The USB blocking security feature is designed to protect you from USB-based attacks, where hackers could plug in a USB device to break into your phone. Although this feature isn’t available yet in One UI 8, it’s a part of Android 16, and Samsung could include it in the next major update.

After updating to One UI 7, some Galaxy users noticed that their phone’s Always On Display (AOD) looks different. If you’re using a theme from the Galaxy Store, the AOD style from that theme might now show up by default, even if you don’t like it. But Samsung offers features by which you can change or remove AOD on your One UI 7 devices.

To change or remove AOD on the lock screen, you can use an app called Good Lock, which is available from the Galaxy Store. Inside Good Lock, you’ll need to use a feature called LockStar. This lets you change how your lock screen and AOD look.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to the Galaxy Store and install Good Lock if you haven’t already. Then, install the Samsung LockStar module on your devices.

• Open LockStar and tap Edit.
• Choose the ‘Always On Display’ option by tapping on it.
• Now you can change or remove items on your AOD screen, like clocks or images from the theme.

This gives you more control over how your AOD looks, instead of using the one that came with the theme. Moreover, if you don’t want your lock screen background to appear on AOD, you can also remove that.

For removing background, you just need to open Settings >> Lock screen and AOD >> Always On Display >> turn off “Show Lock Screen background.” Now you have full control over your AOD in One UI 7, just the way you want it.

New Samsung Always On Display update fixes cover screen and widget issues

If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, Flip6, or Tab S10, you might have noticed that the new One UI 7 Home Up module from Good Lock isn’t available yet.

Originally scheduled for early April, the Home Up module is yet to be rolled out for Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6, and Tab S10 series running One UI 7. The good news? Samsung is close to releasing Home Up for these devices, expected in early next month.

One UI 7’s Home Up is popular for its DIY home screen options and personalized user experience. Until now, Home Up has been limited to the S series, but the demand for Home Up has grown as One UI 7 is now available on various devices.

Samsung’s team has been working to adapt Home Up for foldables and tablets.

For foldables like the Z Fold6 and Flip6, a feature called “Cover Screen Mirroring” is in development to customize the cover display. Tablets like the Tab S10 need support for both landscape and portrait modes, adding complexity.

Samsung initially aimed to release Home Up for foldables and tablets by early April 2025.

However, the current project reveals that it’s still under renewal, with a message saying it “will return soon.” The updated timeline points to early May 2025, as Samsung finalizes the module for One UI 7 compatibility.

With the new Home Up, you will be able to customize home screen layouts, tweak gestures, and use Cover Screen Mirroring on foldables. For tablets, expect a seamless experience in both orientations, enhancing multitasking and personalization.

Samsung recently started releasing the One UI 7 update for some of its popular devices, including the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy S24 FE, and Galaxy Tab S10 series. Right now, the One UI 7 update is only available in a few countries, but new information suggests that the global rollout will begin early next week for these smartphones.

Tipster @tarunvats has just spotted on the Samsung Thailand Newsroom that the One UI 7 update will be available for more users soon. The post says that the One UI 7 update for the Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S10 series will arrive in “late April” and will continue to roll out to other smartphones and tablets in the coming months.

Since it’s already late April, the One UI 7 global rollout for these Galaxy devices is expected to start in just a few days. This update has been highly awaited by these device users, as it adds both visual improvements and useful features.

One UI 7 is based on Android 15 and brings several exciting changes. Some of the new features include a vertical-scrolling app drawer, redesigned icons, improved widget customization, and large folders on the home screen. The update also comes with a fresh new look and updated designs for many Samsung apps.

Keep an eye out for the update notification on your device, and stay tuned for more information.

Breaking: Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra getting stable One UI 7.0

Samsung started releasing the One UI 7 stable update for the Galaxy Tab S10 series and the Galaxy Tab S9 series in several countries. This update brings a fresh new look and new features. However, before you upgrade to One UI 7, there are a few important precautions you need to take to avoid any problems with your tablet’s home screen.

Samsung has shared some precautions for users who plan to upgrade their tablet to One UI 7, especially if you use a certain home screen setup. In the recent community post, the Good Lock moderator has shared some tips for tablet users eligible for the One UI 7 update.

Through precautions, Samsung aims to prevent issues with home screen arrangements after upgrading. If both of the following conditions apply to your setup, it’s essential to make adjustments before proceeding with the update.

1) Home Screen Arrangement: If you use the ‘Home Up – Home Screen Arrangement’ feature, try changing your home screen to a vertical layout (for example, a 5×7 grid) rather than a horizontal one.

2) Widgets Using Full Vertical Space: If you have widgets that take up the full vertical space on your home screen (like a 3×7 widget), you will need to make changes.

After upgrading to One UI 7, these options might cause problems with the Home screen. To avoid them, you need to make a small change before updating. There are two options you can follow:

• Change the home screen layout in One UI 6. For example, switch from a 5×7 grid to a 7×5 layout to make the screen more horizontally focused.
• Remove any widgets that fill the vertical space completely.

By following these steps, you’ll minimize the risk of encountering home screen issues after the update. Samsung warns that if these precautions aren’t followed, users may experience continued issues with their home screen layout after upgrading to One UI 7.

So, if you are planning to upgrade, make the necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth experience with One UI 7.

Some minor design flaws in One UI 7 that you can’t ignore