Samsung says Auto Blocker is on by default on any Samsung Galaxy running One UI 6.1.1 or later. Mine wasn't.

I'm not sure whether I switched it off at some point or it came that way, but I only found out while testing the feature.

I've always seen it as the thing that prevents you from installing apps, which may be why I'd have turned it off in the first place.

However, when I enabled it and read the list, I realized it does more than sideloading apps, and the other functions are even better.

Auto Blocker is four things, not one

Sideload block is not even the most impressive

Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police | Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police | N ON NE ON/ Shutterstock

Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police | Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police | N ON NE ON/ Shutterstock

If you've heard of Auto Blocker, you probably associate it with sideload blocking (that's what I did).

Sideload blocking is only one of four capabilities. It prevents you from installing apps from sources outside the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.

That means you can't install apps you download through your browser, apps you've previously downloaded sitting in your file manager, or apps sent to you via Xender, for example.

The second blocks commands sent over a USB cable. It prevents computers and other devices from interacting with your phone when it's plugged in via USB.

After enabling Auto Blocker, I connected my phone to my laptop, expecting file transfers and other USB options to be disabled. However, I could use them just fine.

This leads me to conclude that USB blocking only prevents command-level access from a forensic unlocking tool or a dodgy public charging port. Basically, the kind of thing that would try to force-pull data off a locked phone.

The third one is the most important. Samsung describes it as blocking malware images in messaging apps.

What it really does is extend Message Guard, a sandbox Samsung introduced with the S23 that opens your images in a separate environment so that a zero-click exploit hidden in a picture can't run. It's on by default for Samsung Messages (now being phased out) and Google Messages.

The fourth blocks unofficial software updates. Even though that sounds like it's about fake update pop-ups, it isn't. It's more about preventing someone from flashing unofficial firmware onto your phone over a cable. It's like an extension of USB blocking.

There's also a Turn on automatically option. When enabled, Auto Blocker switches on 30 minutes after you turn it off. It fixes the major issue with Auto Blocker: forgetting to turn it on whenever you disable it to sideload an app.

To see if it's enabled on your device:

Select Auto Blocker from additional security settings and toggle it on. Close

Tap Turn on automatically to enable it. Close

'Maximum restrictions' turns your phone into something else

There's security, and there's security so aggressive it strips your phone of useful features. Maximum restrictions is in the second category.

It affects your apps, networks, Samsung Messages, and Gallery.

The app part is simple. It scans everything on your phone for viruses and spyware once a day, checks new apps as you install them, and blocks device admin apps and work profiles. That last one is important, since it's most likely used to control your phone from afar.

The network part also makes sense. It prevents your phone from connecting to 2G, which is old and less secure. It also blocks auto-reconnection to open Wi-Fi networks you've joined before (you can still manually connect to them).

If the app and network restriction options were standalone, I'd probably use them. The last two, however, will cost you some features.

The Samsung Messages restriction prevents your phone from downloading attachments or sending location data when you send pictures, both of which are mostly fine. However, it also blocks image and link previews. So you have to copy links you want to view into your browser.

Gallery, like Samsung Messages, removes location data when you share images. But it prevents you from sharing albums with others, and stops them from inviting you to share albums as well.

To enable it, select Maximum restrictions from within Auto Blocker.

None of these options is bad; it's more than what I need. Samsung says on the page that Maximum restrictions is for people who may be targets of sophisticated cyberattacks. For most people, me included, it's unnecessary.

I only turned on Auto Blocker to see what it does, but I'm going to keep it on. The blocks are exactly what I need, even though 'Maximum restrictions' is a tad bit too much for me right now.

The only reason I'd turn off Auto Blocker is to sideload an app. However, it seems like Google's going to make it harder to install apps from unverified developers anyway, so maybe I won't need to.

https://www.androidpolice.com/samsungs-auto-blocker-does-way-more-than-i-expected/