Can’t Sideload Apps on your Samsung Phone/Tablet? Here’s How to Fix

By Mehtab Ansari • Updated On 24 Jul 2024

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Samsung phones run on One UI, which is based on Android. And one of Android’s strengths is that it allows you to sideload any app not on the Google Play Store via APK files. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn’t seem to like this and is disabling side loading by default.

With the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip6 and the Z Fold6, Samsung silently enabled a new feature called Auto Blocker in One UI 6.1.1 that restricts side loading of apps. These are the first devices to come with Auto Blocker enabled by default.

TL;DR: Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Auto blocker and turn it off.

As the name suggests, Auto Blocker prevents you from sideloading any APK files on your Samsung One UI device. While this can protect many users from malware and USB hijacking, it might frustrate those who frequently install APK files or sideload apps.

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Auto Blocker was initially intended to safeguard you against malware and potential hijacking but restricting side loading could be a bit of a stretch for many users, especially when it’s enabled by default.

Now, when setting up your Galaxy Z Flip6 or Z Fold6 (or any Samsung phone/tablet running One UI 6.1 or later), you’ll find a new page asking if you want to enable or disable Auto Blocker. You can choose to leave this turned on or uncheck the box to turn it off.

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Fortunately, if you’ve already set up your phone, you can still turn off Auto Blocker by going to Security and Privacy in the settings. Follow the steps below:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on Security and Privacy.

3. Tap on Auto Blocker and turn it off.

So, what happens when you try to sideload an APK file with this feature turned on? Well, you’ll see a pop-up saying, “Unknown app blocked” or something similar with a message explaining why. You can either press OK or head to Settings > Security and privacy and turn off Auto Blocker.

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Turning off Auto Blocker will switch back to the default Android settings, letting you choose which apps can sideload APK files. Do you think Auto Blocker is a solid feature, or should Samsung keep it off by default? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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Mehtab Ansari

Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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