GoKawiilPaul Jones / Android Authority
TL;DR One UI 9 beta integrates Lockdown mode directly into the power menu, instantly locking the phone and disabling biometrics upon triggering.
Samsung removed the explicit “Lockdown mode” option from One UI 8.5, making the protective feature the default instead.
While closing the power menu without choosing an option no longer returns you to your last-used app, automatically triggering lockdown mode prevents forced or unauthorized biometric access and requires a PIN or password to unlock, power down, or reboot the device.
One UI 9 is on its second beta release, and we’ve been spotting new features it will bring to Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. For instance, One UI 9 brings a unified call log, and also gives users control over Android 17’s Audio Hardening feature. Another new feature has been spotted, and it’s a small but important security change.
Reddit user Aruun_16 spotted that invoking the power menu on One UI 9 beta returns users to the lock screen instead of the previous app.
We tried it out on the Galaxy S26 Ultra running on One UI 9 beta 2, and it indeed does so. In fact, it seems Samsung has incorporated Lockdown mode functionality directly into the power menu instead of presenting it as an option.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
On One UI 8.5, users can long-press the power button (or long-press the power and volume down buttons, depending on their settings) to open the power menu. If you exit the power menu without selecting any options, you will return to the last used app. Users can select the Lockdown mode option, which will instantly lock the phone (returning you to the lock screen when you’re done) while also disabling biometric unlock (fingerprint and face recognition), Smart Lock, and hiding notifications from your lock screen. You can unlock your phone only after entering your PIN/password, and you also need the same for powering off the phone or rebooting it.
... continue reading