Samsung adds new security and UI features in One UI 9 update

Samsung has rolled out the fourth beta of One UI 9 (Android 17) for its Galaxy S26 series, introducing a suite of changes across the Android skin. The update removes the manual Lockdown Mode from the power menu and automatically locks the device with biometric authentication disabled when the menu is opened, displaying the notice “For your security, your phone is locked.”

Privacy Display has been refined to protect only Picture‑in‑Picture (PiP) windows, allowing users to keep other apps and the home screen accessible while a video remains hidden. A new adaptive‑clock style for the lock screen and a redesigned quick‑settings panel are also part of the beta. Samsung is testing “Horizontal Lock” video stabilization, first on the S26 Ultra and now back‑ported to the S25 lineup, and a sub‑screen privacy mode that can limit view angles for specific floating windows.

The beta lists a wide range of devices—from flagship S26 and S25 models to older Galaxy S and A series, as well as tablets—set to receive the One UI 9 upgrade in the coming months.