Samsung One UI 7 rollout issues–user report potential Secure Folder privacy flaw
Samsung One UI 7 rollout issues frustrate its users eagerly awaiting the One UI 7 update with a surprise and not the good kind. Over the weekend, the tech giant quietly pulled the highly anticipated update from its servers without offering a specific reason. While Samsung has confirmed that the rollout has been paused, the official statement leaves much to be desired:
Translation? Something went wrong, but Samsung isn’t ready to say what just yet.
Last week, Samsung started rolling out One UI 7 based on Android 15 to its flagship devices the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 to selected regions. However, within days, users and tipsters began noticing that the update had been halted.
Although Samsung has not disclosed the reason, speculation is growing around a potential security issue, specifically tied to Secure Folder, a feature meant to protect sensitive content on Galaxy devices.
Over the weekend, several users (and tech insiders) discovered a concerning flaw in how the Secure Folder operates under One UI 7.
Here's what happened:
Image from: Sammobile
When using the Gallery app inside Secure Folder, the system automatically generates photo stories and those stories are somehow visible outside of Secure Folder through notifications. Even more troubling, tapping on those notifications can reveal the contents of the story, completely bypassing the secure environment that users rely on for privacy.
In short, private photos stored in a Secure Folder could be inadvertently exposed without any deliberate hacking or bypassing they simply leak out through a feature that shouldn't be enabled by default.
How to protect yourself from Samsung One UI 7 rollout issues?
Until Samsung issues a fix, users who already installed One UI 7 can mitigate the issue manually. Here's how:
Open the Gallery app inside the Secure Folder
- Tap the Menu button
- Go to Settings
- Disable Auto create stories
This setting appears to be turned on by default in One UI 7, so it’s worth double-checking if your device is affected.
Samsung fans are understandably frustrated. Typically, the company's flagship devices would be running the latest version of Android by now. Android 15 launched in October 2024, yet millions of Galaxy users remain stuck on Android 14 well into 2025.
While it's admirable that Samsung is prioritizing user experience, assuming that’s the real reason behind the pause, a lack of transparency only adds fuel to the fire.
What’s Next?
There’s still no timeline from Samsung on when the rollout will continue, though. The company has only promised that an updated schedule is “coming soon.” Whether that means days or weeks remains unclear.
Meanwhile, users who already have One UI 7 installed are being urged to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior, particularly related to Secure Folder or other privacy-related features.
The sudden halt of the One UI 7 rollout, paired with a vague explanation, has left users scratching their heads and security experts raising their eyebrows. Samsung claims the delay is to deliver the “best possible experience,” but the reasoning may lie in the potential integrity breach of Secure Folder.
Users are advised to take proactive measures and to remain alert for any official patches or notices from Samsung until more information is revealed.
We’ll update you as soon as Samsung shares more or if further bugs come to light.
Stay tuned.
Image Cover: Pixabay
