Samsung has quietly paused the rollout of its One UI 7 update after a serious security issue was discovered in the system’s Secure Folder feature. The flaw allows private photos to become visible outside the protected space, raising concerns among users. Though Samsung hasn’t given an official reason, the move suggests an urgent problem. The issue was spotted over the weekend when users noticed that the Gallery app was unintentionally exposing hidden images through story features.
Samsung Stops One UI 7 Update After Security Concerns
Samsung has pulled the One UI 7 update from its servers without warning. The company has not explained why, but users and developers quickly pointed to a concerning privacy bug affecting the Secure Folder.
Secure Folder is designed to act as a locked, encrypted space for storing private apps, photos, and files. It is commonly used for work files, personal images, or sensitive data users want to keep separate from their main device.
However, after installing One UI 7, users found that photos inside the Secure Folder appeared outside of it—through the Gallery app’s “Stories” feature.
How the Secure Folder Bug Works
The issue appears tied to the Gallery app in One UI 7. When Samsung’s auto-generated “Stories” are turned on, they scan photos to create highlights based on time and location.
In One UI 7, this feature is somehow able to access media files stored inside the Secure Folder—even though they should remain hidden. These private images then appear in public galleries or story reels outside the secure space.
This flaw defeats the purpose of the Secure Folder, and users who rely on it to protect sensitive content may unknowingly share private media.
Users Raise Alarm After Weekend Discovery
The bug was first noticed over the weekend by testers and users who had early access to One UI 7. After updating, they saw images that were stored in their Secure Folders showing up in the main photo stream or in generated stories.
One user reported, “I don’t share anything from Secure Folder. But after the update, I opened my phone’s Gallery and saw private images popping up in story previews. That’s not supposed to happen.”
Other users confirmed similar experiences across different Samsung devices running the beta or final version of One UI 7.
Samsung Has Not Issued a Statement
As of now, Samsung has not released an official statement explaining why the update was paused. The One UI 7 release was pulled from the airwaves, meaning it’s no longer available to download or install on supported devices.
On Samsung forums, moderators have acknowledged the issue but offered no timeline for a fix. They have advised users to avoid enabling Stories inside Secure Folder for now.
Security Experts Warn of Privacy Risks
Cybersecurity professionals are urging Samsung to respond quickly.
“This type of flaw can break user trust,” said Lisa Grant, a mobile security analyst at SecureTech Labs. “Secure Folder is marketed as a vault for private information. A leak—even an accidental one—can have serious privacy consequences.”
The concern is especially important for users who use Samsung phones for work, especially in fields like healthcare, finance, or law, where confidentiality is critical.
What You Can Do If You Installed One UI 7
If you have already installed One UI 7 and use Secure Folder, follow these safety tips:
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Turn off auto-generated stories in the Gallery app.
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Move sensitive photos out of Secure Folder until Samsung issues a patch.
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Watch for updates from Samsung or check their official support page.
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Use third-party encrypted storage apps as a temporary solution.
Other Bugs Reported in One UI 7
Although this Secure Folder issue is the most severe, it’s not the only problem with the update. Early users also reported the following:
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Battery drain issues on some models.
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Crashing apps related to Samsung’s Good Lock features.
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Slower fingerprint recognition.
These issues may also be contributing factors to the update’s sudden removal.
Samsung’s History with Software Pauses
This is not the first time Samsung has halted a software rollout. Similar events occurred with One UI 6, where bugs in the Camera and Bixby caused delays. In most cases, Samsung addressed the issues and resumed the update within weeks.
