One UI 7’s Secure Folder had a security flaw: the photo picker can access “secured” files from outside in certain conditions. For example, it could expose unencrypted media from the Secure Folder when uploading photos to Instagram. It’s based on Android’s work profile, a space that lets you store work apps and data separately from personal ones. The flaw quickly made headlines and raised serious privacy concerns among Galaxy users.
While One UI 7 was the first to be affected by this security flaw, Samsung is now switching to Private Space—a completely isolated environment on the device—for more robust security and greater peace of mind for previously affected users.
One UI 8, based on Android 16, tackles this head-on by moving Secure Folder to Android’s private space API. Unlike the work profile, private space is a sealed enclave, inaccessible to the photo picker or main file system. This shift is spotted in early One UI 8 builds on the Z Fold 6, which promises ironclad protection for sensitive files.
Samsung’s quick pivot to Private Space shows its commitment to data safety. One UI 8 beta is possibly launching in June, and a public release alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in July, and Secure Folder’s upgrade could make eligible Galaxy devices even more appealing for privacy-conscious users.
Will One UI 8’s Secure Folder set a new standard for mobile security, or is it just catching up to Google’s tricks? As Google I/O 2025 nears, more leaks should reveal how Samsung is locking down its ecosystem.
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