Samsung Confirms Galaxy ‘Kill Switch’—This Changes Android
This is a game changer
Republished on June 1 with news on One UI 8’s beta and release schedule, and eligible devices, bringing the new kill switch and other security upgrades.
Samsung is moving quickly to recover ground lost through its One UI 7 delays. The Galaxy-maker has now confirmed that early access to the One UI 8 beta is now available, “kicking off a new era of software intelligence.” What happens next is critical. How far will Samsung fall behind Pixel’s unbeatable June release?
But the advantage Samsung has this time is the relatively modest scale of One UI 8 versus the wholesale One UI 7 update that still has not completed its rollout. But literally hidden in amongst the various tweaks we know are coming is a brilliant update that could be a game-changer. “Think of it as a kill switch for your private digital life.”
That’s how Android Police describes the new “Hide Secure Folder” button that instantly disappears the folder’s icon and apps. “When hidden, ‘apps and data stored in Secure Folder are encrypted.’ All apps within the folder will stop working and you will not receive any notifications from them until you unhide and decrypt the Secure Folder.”
This I really like. It is an OS-level deployment of the kind of personal security and privacy that’s much needed when kids and others might browse through your phone, playing games or watching media or looking at photos. It also stops awkward notifications appearing when your phone might be on view to others.
Android Authority has done its usual deep dive on the new upgrade, and says “Secure Folder on One UI 8 is easier to use and safer than ever.” This is especially welcome given the security vulnerabilities highlighted with Secure Folder in recent months, and that Samsung has chosen to go a different way to Android’s generic Private Space.
The other headline upgrade is forcing users to re-enrol their biometric security for Secure Folder, separating it into its own enclave. This means if you’ve enrolled someone else’s fingerprint for generic phone access — one of your kids or your partner, that does not mean they will have access to the personal Secure Folder which is hived off.
“While your lock screen already helps keep the data on your phone safe from casual access,” Android Authority says, this “offers an extra layer of security, particularly handy if you know that other people are going to be using your device. You can move your most private data to its encrypted protection, and even hide its presence entirely.”
That kill switch will grab the headlines though, “a new Quick Settings button not just hides the Secure Folder without forcing you to did through settings menus, but also shuts down the apps you’ve moved there and silences their notifications. Considering this is where Samsung encourages us to keep our most sensitive stuff, a super-quick way to just sweep it all under the rug feels like a completely on-brand addition.”
This should completely change how you use Android and think about carving out data and apps that are for you and you alone. Once live, if this is a seamless and polished as promised, it’s something other phones — including iPhone — should copy.
Meanwhile, there’s encouraging news for Samsung users who have just received One UI 7 and Android 15 after those long delays and will now be asking when One UI 8, Android 16 and the latest Secure Folder update will make it onto their phones.
Galaxy’s new ‘kill switch’
Per SammyFans, “the company is targeting an ambitious summer 2025 stable release timeline, potentially arriving as early as July, months ahead of Samsung’s traditional fall update schedule. This accelerated development cycle aligns with Google’s earlier-than-usual Android 16 launch, expected in June 2025, placing Samsung among the first manufacturers to deliver the latest Android experience to users.”
Android 16 brings a new level of security to phones, with Google’s new Advanced Data Mode shutting down many of its vulnerabilities, such as sideloaded apps and higher-risk network connections. This is now in beta on Pixels and is expected to come to Samsungs as well, albeit Galaxy phones are already better locked down than Pixels.
Samsung and Google have been at pains to stress the collaboration between the two companies as they accelerate the process of pushing One UI 8 out to users. This is unsurprising. One UI 7’s delays leading to a six-month-plus gap between Pixel owners and Galaxy owners was a disaster no one wants to see again.
“By prioritizing speed, stability, and innovation,” SammyFans says, “Samsung signals it’s done playing catch-up. For Samsung, One UI 8 represents not just a software update but a strategic repositioning that could redefine Galaxy users’ expectations for future releases.” It’s now down to what actually happens over the coming weeks.
As for which phones will likely get the upgrade, SammyFans suggests the following:
- “Galaxy S Series: Galaxy S25 Edge, S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE, Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra.
- Galaxy Z Series: Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7 (To launch with One UI 8), Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4.
- Galaxy Tab Series: Galaxy Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, S9 Ultra, Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, S8 Ultra.”
The website also suggests that while “mid-range models like the Galaxy A55 and A35 may also qualify under the four-year policy,” it’s less clear whether “older devices like the Galaxy S21 series” will sneaky in or miss out. Some of this will depend on exactly when the OS upgrade arrives, before or after the four-year support term expires.
For those Galaxy users eager to try the beta for themselves as part of Samsung’s more expedient, seamless process, there may already an issue. As reported by 9to5Google, “the first One UI 8 beta opened to Galaxy S25 users just two days ago, but Samsung says the program is already full in the U.S. and has closed sign-ups for new users.” To say this all happened quickly would be an understatement, “the One UI 8 beta opened on the morning of May 28, and was already closed as of the evening of May 29.”
I say “may,” because it’s not entirely clear if this is the case. Some users have suggested they were able to join the beta even after reports it was closed first appeared. Confusion became the watch word for One UI 7’s beta and release, so users should be used to this.
Android Police has reported the same: “The U.S. beta program for Samsung’s Android 16-based One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 series has reached its maximum capacity just two days after launch, and new registrations are closed. While it’s unclear if more spots will open for the initial beta, those who missed out will likely have an opportunity to join with the release of Beta 2, which is expected to be more stable.”
As 9to5Google explains, “with every new Samsung software beta, there’s a participant limit that, eventually, gets reached. The limit often doesn’t come into play, though, with users usually able to sign up for at least several days, if not longer, after a beta launches.” That would suggest this could be confusion more than anything else, but there’s clear interest in One UI 8 and the beta program sign-up was well published.
According to SammyGuru, the Galaxy-maker has issued an on-screen notice saying “we’ve reached the participant limit for this beta program. Thanks for your interest. Try again for the next beta.” The website does offer users some hope. “That notice makes it look like Samsung doesn’t plan to open more slots for the Galaxy S25’s One UI 8 beta in the U.S. It asks users to try for the ‘next beta’. However, history suggests the company will enroll more users later, as it typically opens beta programs in phases.”