Samsung may be turning heads with its new foldable Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 but the firm has quietly made it a lot more difficult to do something many Android fans would expect to be able to do with their brand new smartphone.
The new folding phones run One UI 6.1.1, the latest version of Samsung’s Android software, based on Android 14. This software has a feature called Auto Blocker that was on previous versions of Samsung’s One UI, but it was off by default and an opt-in tool. Now, Auto Blocker is turned on by default and it appears to be stopping people be able to sideload Android apps (as spotted by Android Authority).
Though millions of us download Android apps using the Google Play Store (and using the Galaxy Store on Samsung phones), you can also sideload any app you want. This involves downloading what is known as an APK file, which you can do from any source online that has them, and then installing it. This is a function that any Android device can do, and usually all you have to do is allow your device to install the APK from the source app, for example the Google Chrome app you downloaded the file from. This usually is done with a simple toggle in a pop-up box when you try to install.
But on One UI 6.1.1, Auo Blocker blocks APK installations by default. This is likely because installing apps from unknown sources can sometimes lead to your phone crashing, or you accidentally installing a malicious app that could infect your phone with malware. For the uninitiated, it makes it much harder to sideload apps.
According to a Samsung support page, “The Auto Blocker feature automatically blocks files downloaded from sources other than authorised stores. For Galaxy devices released with One UI 6.1.1, the Auto Blocker feature is set to On by default. If the app is determined to be safe, temporarily disable this feature and try again.”
Several other Samsung phones are expected to get a software update soon to One UI 6.1.1 including the Galaxy S24 series. It’s not clear if updating a device to the new version will turn Auto Blocker on, so keep an eye out.
If you enjoy sideloading apps you can’t find in the Google Play Store or Samsung’s Galaxy Store, you can turn Auto Blocker off. Head to the Settings app and go to Security and Privacy. From there, tap Auto Blocker and then toggle the setting off. You should then be able to sideload apps as normal.
Express.co.uk has reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and we reckon it’s the best foldable the company has yet made. If you want to turn Auto Blocker off and continue sideloading on that phone, you’ll enjoy that Samsung’s software is incredibly customisable and it should suit you down to the ground. The company is also promising seven full years of Android and security updates for the new Flip and Fold to keep you covered until 2031.
