Anyone who has typed a passcode on a crowded train knows the feeling of a stranger’s eyes drifting toward the screen. On January 28, Samsung said it is working on a fix.
The company previewed a privacy feature for Galaxy phones that stops other people from peeking at what is on your display. Samsung gave no specifics about the technology. It did say the feature uses a mix of hardware and software, and that owners will decide what bystanders can see based on how much protection they want.
Settings will be adjustable. Users can switch the feature on for particular apps, or for the moments they enter a passcode, PIN, pattern or password. Parts of the screen, such as the notification pop-up area, can be hidden from onlookers too.
“Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places,” Samsung said in a newsroom announcement. “You’ll have the space to check your messages or enter a password on public transit without thinking twice about who might be watching.”
What leakers have shown
An online tipster who goes by Ice Universe posted screenshots on X that appear to show the notification area blanking out when viewed at an angle. If that is how it works, the owner sees the content while someone sitting alongside may not. TechCrunch noted that people might no longer need to buy separate privacy screen protectors.
The feature is likely to debut on the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung has not given a release date for either the feature or the phone, though reports suggest it will hold a launch event in February.
Why shoulder surfing matters
Watching someone enter a passcode is a real route to theft. The Wall Street Journal reported a few years ago that thieves often did exactly that, then used the code to lock victims out of their accounts. Apple answered with a “Stolen Device Protection” update in iOS 17.3, which requires Face ID or Touch ID before sensitive settings are changed or saved payment methods are used.
