Why Samsung has disabled app sideloading on its latest Galaxy foldables

When a user tries to sideload an app on the Galaxy Z Flip6 or the Z Fold6, the phone will show a pop-up stating “Unknown app blocked. To keep your phone and data safe, Auto Blocker prevents the installation of unknown apps. You can only install apps from authorized sources such as the Play Store or Galaxy Store”.

This won’t be an issue if a user is setting up these phones using an older Galaxy device. The auto blocker will be automatically disabled based on the previous device’s settings.

Heads up: Auto Blocker is turned on by default on Galaxy devices launching with One UI 6.1.1, which means that sideloading apps is blocked by default.

If you’re a power user, you can temporarily (or permanently) turn off Auto Blocker. Here’s how👇https://t.co/qGrO0N3cms

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 23, 2024

For non-tech-savvy users, this feature can help prevent them from installing a bad app, which can steal personal data and, in some cases, even take control of the device. However, for those familiar with sideloading, this is another roadblock that they need to clear before sideloading an app.

While Android has been blocking app sideloading for a while, one could simply enable it with just a single click to allow the installation of files downloaded from a specific app. With this new Auto Blocker setting, users need to enable the global sideloading feature before installing an app downloaded outside the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store.

The Auto Blocker feature on Galaxy smartphones was first introduced on OneUI 6. For the first time, phones shipping with OneUI 6.1.1 or newer versions will automatically block app sideloading.

Users can disable Auto Blocker from Settings > Security and Privacy > Auto Blocker to continue sideloading apps on their latest Galaxy smartphones.