News
Auto Blocker in One UI 9 beta adds new security report, brings back stricter USB controls
1+ hour, 24+ min ago (178+ words) In the recently released One UI 9 beta 1 for the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has added a new Security Report section to Auto Blocker. This report presents the history of Auto Blocker "blocking apps with unknown sources," presumably from installing apps on…...
Android 17's latest anti-theft feature stops thieves who already have your PIN
1+ day, 17+ hour ago (232+ words) In addition to several privacy and security features, Google is also sharing how it is improving Android's theft protection at The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026. Google is enhancing Find Hub's Mark as lost feature in Android 17 to allow locking…...
Google just blocked a zero-day exploit made with AI
1+ day, 23+ hour ago (329+ words) That's the biggest takeaway from new findings shared by Google's Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG). The company says AI is no longer just a side tool for attackers; it's actually becoming part of the core system powering modern cybercrime. And that…...
Samsung is cracking down on apps that spam your phone with ads
2+ day, 17+ hour ago (235+ words) It's annoying when your weather app tries to sell you crypto or your calculator app pushes random mobile games. Samsung seems to agree, and now it's giving users a way to shut off notification spam for good. There are two…...
How I stopped Nova Launcher from tracking me without sacrificing my setup
6+ day, 20+ hour ago (783+ words) It's fair to say that Nova Launcher was once the pinnacle of the Android launcher space. While many of its loyal fans still believe it is, there's no doubt it has experienced some ups and downs in recent years. So,…...
Scam Android apps on Google Play got millions of downloads from a creepy pitch
5+ day, 16+ hour ago (477+ words) Matt Horne has been a key member of the Android Authority team since 2017, helping readers find the best tech deals and covering pivotal sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday. Alongside his knack for finding bargains, Matt stays on…...
Graphene OS closes an Android VPN loophole before Google does
6+ day, 11+ hour ago (334+ words) A VPN that can leak your location is a pretty big failure of the tech at the best of times, but it's especially concerning when Android's lockdown controls exist to reassure you that it won't happen. That's the problem Graphene…...
Google addresses Chrome's chunky weights. bin file download
1+ week, 14+ hour ago (264+ words) Google weighs in on Chrome's weights. bin controversy'Android Authority Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. Google weighs in on Chrome's weights. bin controversy - By default, Chrome downloads a multi-gigabyte file called weights. bin on…...
Survey says plenty of readers skip SIM PINs, and that's pretty alarming
1+ week, 20+ hour ago (298+ words) SIM cards are often forgotten yet essential pieces of our smartphones. They allow devices to connect to network providers, facilitating phone calls, texting, and internet services. Sure, you can use a phone without a SIM, but it's hardly efficient. Given…...
Is Chrome's 4 GB "weights. bin" file spyware? The truth behind the viral warnings
1+ week, 22+ hour ago (466+ words) The PSA warning correctly notes that Chrome is "quietly" downloading this large file. However, Chrome has likely obtained your permission many moons ago (likely at the time of the browser's installation) to download files it needs for its functioning, but…...