What capabilities does the new app-locking feature in One UI 9.5 offer?

The feature allows users to secure apps using a PIN or biometrics. Locked apps will hide notifications, widgets, and shortcuts, while content remains accessible to other apps with appropriate permissions.

How does this new locking feature differ from Samsung's Secure Folder?

Unlike Secure Folder, which clones apps into a protected space, the new feature locks the original app directly without creating duplicates. This simplifies access to secured apps without requiring the deletion of original versions.

When is the One UI 9.5 update with this feature expected to launch?

Exact release dates remain unannounced, but insider data suggests an imminent announcement, likely tied to the launch of Samsung's new flagship models.

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Hardware

Samsung to Add Full App Locking in One UI 9.5

August 14, 2026

Photo: Android Authority

Quick answer

Samsung will integrate built-in app locking with PIN or biometric protection into One UI 9.5, addressing the absence of this feature in current versions.

Samsung smartphones are finally set to receive a full-fledged app-locking feature with the One UI 9.5 firmware update. According to insider Fahad Ali Javed, the new option will allow users to secure individual apps using a PIN code or biometric authentication, enhancing user data privacy.

Activation will be done by long-pressing the app icon in the menu, followed by a lock icon. Locked apps will hide notification content, and their widgets and shortcuts will disappear from the home screen. However, data from protected apps (such as photos or contacts) will remain accessible to other apps with existing permissions.

Previously, Samsung offered similar functionality through Secure Folder, but it required creating cloned versions of apps, complicating the process. The new solution eliminates this drawback by allowing direct locking of original apps without duplication. Notably, similar features recently appeared in Android Canary, suggesting Samsung may be leveraging Google’s existing developments rather than building its own tool from scratch.

Common questions

What capabilities does the new app-locking feature in One UI 9.5 offer?: The feature allows users to secure apps using a PIN or biometrics. Locked apps will hide notifications, widgets, and shortcuts, while content remains accessible to other apps with appropriate permissions.
How does this new locking feature differ from Samsung's Secure Folder?: Unlike Secure Folder, which clones apps into a protected space, the new feature locks the original app directly without creating duplicates. This simplifies access to secured apps without requiring the deletion of original versions.
When is the One UI 9.5 update with this feature expected to launch?: Exact release dates remain unannounced, but insider data suggests an imminent announcement, likely tied to the launch of Samsung's new flagship models.

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