Security measure or strategy to limit the installation of applications from outside the Play Store? We explain in detail what Samsung’s Auto Blocker is, at the heart of a conflict between the Korean manufacturer and Epic Games.
Designed as an optional security measure, Auto Blocker has imposed itself on Samsung devices, depriving its users of many applications that would not go through the Play Store, including the Epic Games Store.
What is Auto Blocker?
Appearing on the One UI 6 operating system based on Android 14 in October 2023, the “automatic blocker” is an additional function introduced by Samsung and installed by default since last July.
This blocker has several features that aim to protect your Samsung device from malicious people. Here are its main functions:
- Block third-party apps
The automatic blocker only recognizes applications from the Galaxy Store or Play Store deemed to come from secure and recognized sources. The Korean manufacturer assures that this is a way to protect users from malware.
- Block USB cable commands
The blocker here protects the user from potentially infected hardware.
- Blocks malicious images in messaging apps
The automatic blocker strengthens the security of messaging applications. If you receive a potentially malicious image, it will be automatically blocked to ensure your protection. The manufacturer indicates that this measure may apply to third-party messaging services.
- Block software updates via USB cable
Similar to USB cable controls, the blocker here prevents your phone from installing malware without your knowledge.
Beyond these functions, the automatic blocker switches your device to maximum restriction, blocking, among other things, the automatic downloading of attachments or even location data when sharing photos.
Since 2024, the European Commission has ruled through the DMA that smartphone manufacturers must open their operating system to other stores.
If you want to install the Epic Games Store on your Android device, here are the steps to follow:
- Open your settings
- Find the “Security and Privacy” category
- Find the “Auto blocker” function
- Press the button to deactivate the blockage. The device will ask you to authenticate to deactivate the feature.
You should then be able to install Epic Games. You are free to reactivate the blocker, Samsung specifies on its site that with each third-party application update, you will have to unblock it.
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