Smartphones today store everything photos, bank apps, UPI, passwords, OTPs, documents, and personal chats. That’s why if your Samsung Android phone gets stolen, it can cause huge financial loss and privacy problems.
The good news? Samsung phones have powerful built-in security features that can protect your device even if someone steals it.
In this guide, you’ll learn the best security settings to protect Samsung phone from theft, including lock screen protection, Find My Mobile, biometric security, anti-theft tracking, SIM lock, and more.
Why You Must Enable Anti-Theft Security on Samsung
If your phone is stolen, thieves may try to:
- Turn off internet and location
- Remove SIM card
- Switch off phone
- Reset the phone (factory reset)
- Access your gallery, WhatsApp, banking apps
So your goal should be:
- Lock your phone strongly
- Enable tracking
- Protect Samsung Account + Google Account
- Block unauthorized reset
- Keep data safe even without internet
1. Set a Strong Screen Lock (Most Important)
Go to:
Settings → Lock screen → Screen lock type
Best options:
- PIN (6 digits or more)
- Password (strong + long)
Avoid:
- Pattern lock (easy to guess)
- 4-digit PIN (too common)
Pro Tip: Use a 6–8 digit PIN that is not your birth year, phone number, or 123456.
2. Enable Fingerprint + Face Lock (With Backup PIN)
Go to:
Settings → Biometrics and security → Fingerprints / Face recognition
Why it helps:
- Fast unlocking for you
- Harder for thief to access phone
- Works best with strong PIN as backup
Important: Always keep PIN/password as the main security, biometrics only for convenience.
3. Turn ON “Lock Instantly with Side Button”
This makes the phone lock immediately when you press the power button.
Go to:
Settings → Lock screen → Secure lock settings → Lock instantly with Side button (ON)
This prevents thieves from quickly opening your phone before it locks.
4. Reduce Auto-Lock Time
Go to:
Settings → Display → Screen timeout
Set to:
15 seconds or 30 seconds
So if you forget to lock the phone, it will lock quickly.
5. Hide Sensitive Notifications on Lock Screen
Even when locked, thieves can read OTPs and messages if notifications are visible.
Go to:
Settings → Notifications → Lock screen notifications
Set to:
Hide content or Don’t show notifications
This protects:
- OTP messages
- WhatsApp previews
- Banking alerts
- Emails
6. Enable “Find My Mobile” (Samsung Anti-Theft Feature)
This is one of the best Samsung security settings.
Go to:
Settings → Biometrics and security → Find My Mobile
Turn ON:
- Find My Mobile
- Remote unlock
- Send last location
- Offline finding (if available)
What it can do:
- Track phone location
- Lock phone remotely
- Ring phone loudly
- Erase data remotely
- Stop thieves from turning off tracking easily
Make sure you are logged into your Samsung Account.
7. Enable Google “Find My Device”
Go to:
Settings → Google → Find My Device
Turn ON:
Use Find My Device
You can locate your phone using your Google account too.
8. Turn ON “SIM Card Lock” (Very Useful)
Thieves often remove SIM to stop OTP and tracking.
Go to:
Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Set up SIM card lock
Enable:
Lock SIM card
Now if someone inserts your SIM into another phone, they must enter your SIM PIN.
Warning:
Don’t forget your SIM PIN. Save it safely.
9. Block Power Off from Lock Screen (If Available)
Some Samsung models allow extra protection so thieves can’t easily switch off your phone.
Check here:
Settings → Lock screen → Secure lock settings
If you see options like:
- “Lock network and security”
- “Disable power menu when locked”
Enable them.
This helps prevent:
- Turning off mobile data
- Switching on airplane mode
- Power off phone instantly
10. Enable “Two-Factor Authentication” on Samsung Account
Even if someone tries to access your Samsung account, 2-step verification stops them.
Go to:
Settings → Samsung account → Security and privacy → Two-step verification
Turn ON:
2-step verification
11. Enable 2-Step Verification on Google Account
This protects Gmail, Photos, Drive, and Find My Device.
Go to:
Google → Manage your Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification
Turn ON:
2-Step Verification
Use:
- Phone prompts
- Authenticator app
- Backup codes
12. Lock Banking & UPI Apps with App Lock / Secure Folder
Samsung has Secure Folder, which is extremely useful.
Go to:
Settings → Security and privacy → Secure Folder
Enable it and store:
- Banking apps
- UPI apps
- Password manager
- Private photos/videos
Even if someone unlocks your phone, they still need another PIN to open Secure Folder.
13. Turn ON Auto Blocker (If Your Samsung Has It)
New Samsung phones have Auto Blocker which helps stop unknown installations.
Go to:
Settings → Security and privacy → Auto Blocker
Turn ON:
Auto Blocker
This helps prevent:
- Malware installs
- Suspicious USB access
- Unknown apps
14. Disable “Install Unknown Apps” for All Apps
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Special access → Install unknown apps
Turn OFF for:
- Chrome
- File Manager
- Messaging apps
This stops thieves/malware from installing spy apps.
15. Turn ON “USB Blocking” / Secure USB Settings
Some hackers use USB tools to bypass security.
Go to:
Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings
Enable (if available):
- Block USB access when locked
- USB debugging OFF (in Developer Options)
16. Keep “Developer Options” OFF
Go to:
Settings → Developer options
Make sure:
- USB Debugging OFF
- Developer options OFF (if not needed)
Because USB debugging can allow unauthorized access.
Also Read:
17. Keep Your Phone Updated (Security Patches)
Go to:
Settings → Software update → Download and install
Always update because Samsung security updates fix:
- hacking bugs
- lock screen bypass issues
- malware vulnerabilities
18. Enable Theft Protection on Samsung (If Available)
Some Samsung models include theft protection features under security settings.
Go to:
Settings → Security and privacy → Theft protection
If you see:
- “Theft detection lock”
- “Offline device lock”
Enable them.
What To Do If Your Samsung Phone Gets Stolen?
If your phone is stolen, do this immediately:
Step 1: Track & Lock Phone
- Use Samsung Find My Mobile
- Use Google Find My Device
Step 2: Ring Phone
If nearby, ring it at full volume.
Step 3: Secure Accounts
Change passwords for:
- Google account
- Samsung account
- Banking apps
Step 4: Block SIM Card
Call your mobile operator and block SIM.
Step 5: File Police Complaint
Give:
- IMEI number
- phone model
- bill (if available)
You can find IMEI on:
- Phone box
- Invoice
- Samsung account / Google account history
Best Anti-Theft Settings Checklist (Quick Summary)
Enable these settings today:
- Strong PIN/Password
- Fingerprint + Face lock
- Lock instantly with side button
- Hide lock screen notifications
- Samsung Find My Mobile ON
- Google Find My Device ON
- SIM card lock ON
- Secure Folder for banking apps
- Auto Blocker ON
- Install unknown apps OFF
- USB debugging OFF
- Software updates ON
FAQs
Q1. Which is the best security setting in Samsung to prevent theft?
Find My Mobile + strong PIN + SIM lock are the best combo.
Q2. Can thieves reset a Samsung phone after stealing it?
They may try, but Samsung account + Google account protection makes it difficult and helps you track/lock the device.
Q3. Should I use fingerprint or PIN?
Use both. Keep PIN as main, fingerprint for quick access.
Final Words
If you want real protection from theft, don’t wait until your phone is stolen. Just spend 5–10 minutes today and enable the settings above. These Samsung security settings can save your money, data, and privacy.