Galaxy phones may finally get a basic privacy feature Samsung missed

Samsung's Galaxy phones boast extensive customization options, including the Good Lock app that allows users to tailor their devices in countless ways. However, the manufacturer seems to have overlooked a basic yet highly useful privacy feature: an app lock. With the upcoming One UI 9.5 update, this may soon change. Tipster Fahad Ali Javed has discovered a native App Lock function hidden within an unreleased One UI 9.5 build running on a Galaxy S26.

This feature would enable users to lock individual apps directly from the app drawer, without the need to relocate them first. According to leaked screenshots, pressing and holding an app icon would present a padlock button. By tapping it, the app would be protected using the same authentication method used to unlock the device, including biometrics or screen lock.

The leaked information reveals that locked apps would not only prevent access to the app itself but also hide widgets and shortcuts associated with them from the home screen, while still allowing any existing permissions to remain in place. This method appears to offer greater convenience compared to Samsung's existing Secure Folder, which creates a separate protected environment for apps, files, photos, and accounts.

The App Lock feature seems to closely resemble a similar function found in Android Canary 2608. Both options impose restrictions on notifications, widgets, and content access. At present, these details remain speculative, as One UI 9.5 has not been officially announced. The Galaxy S26 already features a leaked build of this updated software.

Samsung is expected to unveil its next major OS update alongside the Galaxy S27 series in early 2027, before eventually rolling out the update to eligible older Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, Google's Pixel 11 series continues to garner attention, despite its hardware and software features being no different from previous generations.

The most noteworthy aspect of the Pixel 11 series is Google's commitment to providing spare parts for seven years, a policy it began with the Pixel 8 in 2023. This includes availability of batteries, displays, and other replacement components, ensuring users have access to essential parts even after the typical upgrade cycle.