Samsung is beefing up the security of Galaxy users with a series of new security features, and is urging users in the UK to enable and update the latest anti-theft tools. The announcement is part of a campaign launched by the UK Home Office to tackle the rising number of mobile phone thefts.

More than 40 million users in the UK receive security alerts from Samsung

Building on the existing security foundation, One UI 7 has introduced many new anti-theft features such as Identity Verification and Security Delay. These features were initially deployed on the high-end Galaxy S25 series, but Samsung is now expanding support to many previous-generation Galaxy devices.

According to the company, the new features are being updated for the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Galaxy S23, and S22. In the near future, other Galaxy models will also receive this update. Samsung has sent a security alert to more than 40 million Samsung Account users in the UK.

The message will be communicated through its communications channels and the Samsung Members app. Samsung also plans to launch a communications campaign to raise awareness of the security features of the Knox Security platform across social media platforms in the UK.

The campaign will also be promoted in the Piccadilly Lights advertising area, along with outdoor billboards at train and tube stations in central London. In addition, the content will appear across multiple advertising formats, including online video, connected TV, and on-demand playback platforms.

Annika Bizon, Vice President of Product and Marketing for MX at Samsung UK&I, said: “Samsung is committed to working closely with the Home Office to tackle mobile phone theft. We are working with industry partners to develop new and existing solutions, with the ultimate goal of improving consumer safety.”

What’s included in the Anti-Theft feature set?

Theft Protection is a multi-layered security suite designed to protect data in the event of a device being stolen. Key features include Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, Remote Lock, Identity Verification and Security Delay.

Theft Detection Lock automatically locks the screen if it detects the device being moved in an unusual way, while Offline Device Lock automatically activates if the device is disconnected for an extended period of time.

Remote Lock allows users to lock a lost device and regain control of their account. Identity Verification provides extra security if a PIN is compromised, and Security Delay delays critical changes for up to an hour, giving users more time to react if a device is stolen.