Samsung and Epic Games Settle Dispute Over One UI Security Feature

Samsung and Epic Games, the company behind the popular game Fortnite, have reached an agreement to end a disagreement about a security feature on Samsung’s One UI software. This news comes just one day before Samsung’s big event, where they will show off their new foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7. The settlement is a big deal for people who use Samsung phones and love downloading apps from places other than the Google Play Store or Samsung’s Galaxy Store.

What Was the Problem?

The issue started with a feature called Auto Blocker, which Samsung added to its phones with the One UI 6.0 update. Auto Blocker is a security tool that stops users from installing apps from sources outside the official app stores, like the Epic Games Store. This process is called sideloading. Epic Games said this feature made it hard for people to install their apps, like Fortnite, on Samsung phones. They believed Samsung was working with Google to limit competition by blocking other app stores.

Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Samsung in September 2023, saying the Auto Blocker feature was unfair and stopped users from choosing where to get their apps. They argued that this was a way to protect the Google Play Store and Samsung’s Galaxy Store, making it tougher for other app stores to grow.

What’s Happening Now?

After talks between the two companies, Samsung has agreed to address Epic Games’ concerns. Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, announced that they are dropping the lawsuit because Samsung is willing to make changes. While the exact details of the agreement are not public, it likely involves changes to how Auto Blocker works. For example, Samsung might make it easier for users to sideload apps or allow trusted app stores, like the Epic Games Store, to work without restrictions.

This settlement means Samsung Galaxy users may soon find it easier to install apps from different sources. It could also help developers, like Epic Games, share their apps more freely without being limited to the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.

Why Does This Matter?

For everyday phone users, this news is important because it affects how you can use your Samsung phone. If you’ve ever wanted to download an app that’s not available on the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store, Auto Blocker might have made it tricky. With this settlement, Samsung might make it simpler to get those apps, giving you more choices.

This agreement also shows how companies like Epic Games are pushing for a fairer app market. They want users to have the freedom to choose where they get their apps, whether it’s for games like Fortnite or other useful tools. For Samsung, this could mean a better balance between keeping your phone secure and letting you decide what apps to install.

What’s Next?

The timing of this settlement is interesting because it happened just before Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10, 2025. At this event, Samsung will launch its new foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7. Some people wonder if Samsung will announce changes to Auto Blocker or even add the Epic Games Store to their phones during the event. For now, we’ll have to wait and see what Samsung says.

This settlement also means Fortnite and other Epic Games apps, like Rocket League Sideswipe, might soon return to the Galaxy Store. This is exciting for gamers who want to play these games on their Samsung devices without going through extra steps to sideload them.

Final Thoughts

This agreement between Samsung and Epic Games is a step toward giving users more control over their phones. It shows that companies can work together to solve problems and make things better for everyone. If you own a Samsung phone or tablet, keep an eye out for updates to the Auto Blocker feature. These changes could make it easier to download the apps you love while still keeping your device safe.

Stay tuned for more news from Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event