Your Samsung phone is about to get a big theft protection boost thanks to One UI 8.5 – here’s how

• New anti-theft features are spotted in the One UI 8.5 update
• The existing Identity Check protection is being expanded
• It puts key security settings behind biometric authentication

In recent times, the anti-theft features built into all of the best phones have improved significantly, and it looks as though another notable upgrade is on the way to Samsung Galaxy handsets with the rollout of One UI 8.5.

As spotted by Android Authority, the upcoming software update – which is expected to be a pretty major one – is going to include a more comprehensive Identity Check feature, which requires you to prove your identity via biometrics to change key settings.

Identity Check is already available on Samsung phones, but with One UI 8.5 it would appear that it will now cover more settings: transferring a Samsung account, enabling unauthorized apps, unlocking the Secure folder, unlocking private photo albums, and changing USB connection settings.

That's assuming, of course, that Samsung keeps the feature in the final release of One UI 8.5 – but it seems likely. These discoveries are based on an early, leaked version of the software that Android Authority has access to.

Enabling Identity Check

Identity Check already asks for fingerprint or face verification for several key security settings, including changing the device PIN. These are the sort of settings a thief would try and change first, after gaining possession of your phone.

It's now available across many of the best Android phones, but it's not on by default. On a Galaxy phone, you enable it by opening up Settings, then heading to Security and privacy > Lost device protection > Theft protection > Identity check. You can also add safe places, like your home, where the extra authentication isn't needed.

As with a lot of Android features that Google pushes out, Samsung doesn't have to stick to the same implementations that you'll find on Google's own Pixel phones – and it would seem Samsung has decided to add some extras on here.

We've already seen hands-on videos of One UI 8.5 in action, and seen hints of numerous software enhancements. As for when it might appear, we don't have a specific date, but a beta program could launch in the coming weeks.

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