Now, the curtain has finally been lifted, and Samsung Galaxy S23 owners in the United States, Germany, and South Korea have something to celebrate. Samsung has officially rolled out its latest One UI 6 beta.

While the beta update was initially scheduled for Thursday, it faced a setback and didn’t arrive until Friday. Samsung is yet to comment on the delay.

“Our mission with One UI is to reflect the unique preferences of our users in every aspect of their mobile experience,” noted Samsung’s Executive VP Janghyun Yoon in a press release. The press release added that it will pay attention to the user feedback on One UI 6 as the South Korean consumer-tech giant creates a “richer, more intuitive experience.”

What is One UI 6

Samsung One UI 6 is the sixth-major upgrade to Samsung’s home-grown Android OS, One UI.

It is built on Android 14 and offers several new and exciting features — from design updates, personalization options to enhanced security and less power consumption.

Typically, Samsung releases the latest and biggest updates to its Galaxy S23 flagships.

Samsung Galaxy S23 One UI 6 Update: What’s new?

• A new, simplified design: One UI 6 brings a sleeker look with updated icons, fonts, and colors. Quick Pandel has also received a revamp.
• More personalization options: The latest update gives you more customization options along with different lock screens, wallpapers, and fonts.
• Enhanced Productivity: You can now pin vital apps to the Recents menu and delay notifications to catch up later.
• Improved Security and Privacy: A new privacy dashboard lets you keep track of which apps have access to your data. Additionally, you can now set a lock screen for different modes, such as personal or work.

One UI 6 Beta Program: How to join?

As mentioned earlier, the latest One UI 6 beta program is currently exclusive to Samsung Galaxy S23 owners in the United States, Germany, and South Korea . The update is slated for release in other regions soon. 

If you’re interested in joining the beta program, simply register through the Samsung Members app. Keep an eye out, as we expect the beta rollout to expand to the rest of Samsung’s devices soon.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra could get a massive telephoto camera upgrade 
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• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE won’t be all that affordable after all

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Well, that day is here. Rejoice, Android enthusiasts! The ChatGPT Android app has landed, giving you access to one of the most sophisticated chatbots on the market.

Download OpenAI’s ChatGPT Android app from the Play Store

Since OpenAI launched its iOS app months ago, Android users have been anxiously waiting for their turn. It may not have felt fair for our Android friends, but at last, their wait is over.

Following OpenAI’s announcement last week, eager fans have seen the app sitting in the Play Store with pre-registrations opening just last week.

If you’re planning to download the new ChatGPT Android app, make sure you grab the original by OpenAI – there are plenty of clones and bad actors out there trying to trick unsuspecting users. To put your mind at ease, you can download it here.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the authentic OpenAI ChatGPT app for Android, all that’s left is signing in and starting a chat. You’ll find its interface refreshingly simple and very similar to the web version of ChatGPT.

OpenAI says the Android app is currently available only in select regions like the United States, India, Bangladesh, and Brazil; wider availability is on its way over next week.

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Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• ChatGPT can recognize faces – OpenAI just isn’t promoting it…yet
• Is OpenAI mishandling your data? The FTC intends to find out
• OpenAI and ChatGPT are down for a ton of people right now (updated)
• OpenAI now has an official ChatGPT app for iOS

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UPDATE 6/10/2023: It appears that Google is in the process of replacing Smart Lock with Extend Unlock in Android 13 and onwards, reports Android Police. Extend Unlock is beginning to show up in Android device settings, and it is designed to work with Android 13 or later Source. The transition is still underway, and it remains unclear if Smart Lock will be entirely replaced or if it will coexist with Extend Unlock as the updates roll out.

Securing your phone with a reliable security method, such as a PIN, password, or keypad pattern, is a great way to protect your device. If you’re on Android, you can also use Smart Lock.

Biometric methods, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, are convenient, helpful options for unlocking your phone.

But Smart Lock gives you additional ways to manage your device.

Smart Lock offers different ways to unlock your device without using a passcode. Here’s everything you need to know about your options.

What is Smart Lock on Android devices?

Enabling a lock screen security method is essential for keeping your data safe. Many smartphone owners use their devices in places they know to be safe, like at home.

That’s a lot of PIN code entries, biometric unlocking, or even hard-to-remember pattern unlocks.

Smart Lock reduces the number of times you have to unlock your phone or tablet by keeping your device unlocked.

Those include using on-body detection to keep your device unlocked after you’ve opened it, leaving it unlocked in trusted places like your home, or if it is connected to a trusted Bluetooth device.

Smart Lock used to also have options for voice match and trusted faces, but those are less secure and are in the process of being phased out.

How to unlock your Android phone with on-body detection

On-body detection in Smart Lock comes in clutch for runners or if you use your phone as a grocery list.

It will keep your device unlocked as long as it detects movement, so you can keep using it.

Once it detects you have stopped, your Android device will ask for your password again to open your lock screen.

Here’s how to use on-body detection to unlock your Android phone:

1. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted

2. Tap On-body detection

3. Switch on Use On-body detection and tap Continue

As the warning suggests, on-body detection keeps your device unlocked when it senses you’re moving.

If someone snatches your phone from you and keeps moving, they may retain access.

It will automatically lock if you drop your phone.

Unlock Android phone with Trusted Places

Trusted Places uses geolocation to keep your device unlocked in places you feel safe.

That could be your home, office, or any location you choose. You will need GPS to be enabled, so your battery will drain slightly faster.

Here’s how to use Trusted Places to unlock your Android phone:

You’ll see options to Delete, Rename, and Edit when you tap an already-added place.

The entry will appear automatically in the list if your home address is connected to Google Maps. You can enable this as a trusted place by tapping it and choosing Turn on this location.

Using this Smart Lock feature comes with obvious drawbacks. If someone in a trusted place picks up your phone, they’ll automatically have access to your data.

While they can’t physically take your device far from the authorized location, they could send your private information wherever they want.

How to unlock an Android phone with Trusted Devices

The trusted devices Smart Lock feature keeps your phone unlocked whenever it’s connected to a trusted Bluetooth product, such as a smartwatch, wireless speaker, or computer.

Here’s how to use Trusted Devices to unlock your Android phone:

1. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted

2. Tap Trusted devices

3. Switch Bluetooth on and tap Add trusted devices

4. Select a device from the list or tap Pair new device and complete the pairing process

5. Tap Add when prompted

Trusted Devices are an excellent option if you wear an Android Wear OS smartwatch daily. Your phone will still lock if it gets out of Bluetooth range, keeping you safe if you misplace it.

Unlock an Android phone with Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi unlocking is a less-secure solution, as anyone with the right motivation could spoof a wireless network and gain access to your device.

For this reason, Google doesn’t include the option in its operating system.

Some third-party solutions exist, but most apps only work with older versions of Android OS and produce unpredictable results.

Is Android Smart Lock safe?

Using Smart Lock is safer than having no protection, but enabling the feature comes with additional risks.

A motivated thief could use specific unlocking triggers, such as a trusted place, to gain access to your device and data.

When considering whether to enable Android Smart Lock, you should ask yourself: what’s more important, convenience or security?

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to watch YouTube ad-free on Android now that Vanced is gone
• Android users: Delete these apps – they’re harvesting your data
• You can now install Android apps from the Windows 11 Store – here’s how
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A turnover between these systems is fairly common, as Android users may switch to iOS for whatever reason.

However, a report published by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) shows the number of Android users switching to iOS is at an all-time high.

Why are Android users switching to iOS?

Earlier this month, CIRP published a report revealing a significant rate of users switching from Android to iPhone. This turnover rate is the highest it has been since 2018.

After that, the intelligence firm released a follow-up report that underlined the reasons behind the mass exodus.

Approximately 53 percent of users reported that they switched to iPhones due to problems with their Android smartphones. Per CIRP’s report:

The reasons are diverse and confusing, and for some buyers they include the desire to use iMessage and FaceTime among family and friends.

Earlier we analyzed the incidence of switching from Android devices to iPhones among iPhone buyers. We showed that the rate has ranged from 10-15% over the past several years and increased a bit in the past several quarters.

Common complaints included poor battery life, weak cellular connections, and devices becoming slower over time, all of which negatively affected the user experience.

The second most significant reason for switching was the camera and versatility. Android said they wanted a better superior smartphone camera, user interface, and a wider range of accessories.

Nearly 26 percent of the surveyed users expressed similar sentiments.

The third reason, cited by 15 percent of participants, was price. Naturally, price plays a crucial role in any purchasing decision. According to these users, iPhones offered a better value compared to Android smartphones, prompting them to make the switch.

Now, Apple is known as a premium brand, with iPhone prices generally higher than most Android phones. The exception is the SE models, which are more affordable.

However, Apple only sells phones at premium prices, and Android has phones available for all price variations, from cheapest to most expensive. 

For example, Apple’s top-end phone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, costs $1,099, while we have the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on the Android spectrum costs $1,199. 

Marching on to the fourth reason that is making users leave Android is proprietary services provided by Apple, i.e., iMessage and FaceTime. 

Even after conducting numerous polls, we remain uncertain about the precise reasons behind the significant migration of users to iPhones.

Nevertheless, we must not overlook the CIRP report, as it indicates people genuinely distancing themselves from Google’s platform.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• WhatsApp now lets you move chat history from Android to iPhone
• A new report says that iPhone growth will crush Android through 2021
• A new report says that the iPhone 12’s 5G is slower than Android
• Here’s why Bill Gates prefers Android over iPhone

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ESET researchers at WeLiveSecurity have uncovered an Android app secretly recording users’ lives. This app is harboring AhRat, a sneaky Remote Access Trojan (RAT) built off of the open-source malware platform AhMyth.

The culprit? “iRecorder – Screen Recorder.” It launched in 2021 and racked up over 55,000 installs from the Google Play Store. Yikes.

This once-legitimate screen-recording app has taken a dark turn within just a year and now specializes in stealing files with specific extensions as well as eavesdropping on your microphone recordings.

That’s right, folks – this app is all up in our personal space, poking its nose into matters that don’t concern it.

“Initially, the iRecorder app did not have any harmful features. What is quite uncommon is that the application received an update containing malicious code quite a few months after its launch.“

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AhRat seems to be particularly focused on certain victims, hinting at an espionage angle. But even if you’re not part of any high-stakes political dealings, who wants their favorite late-night shower tunes exposed to the world?

Here’s the real issue: Open-source malware platforms are fertile ground for variations like AhRat, leaving everyday Android users vulnerable to snooping digital thieves.

Keep calm and remember the basics: Stick to verified app stores, religiously update your security patches, and resist those urge clicks on dodgy downloads. Be safe, be smart, and stay one step ahead of this digital peeper.

As for the iRecorder app itself, Google removed it from the Play Store after ESET’s report. As a sigh of relief, ESET says they have not detected any other AhRat instances anywhere else in the wild.

For the full rundown, head on over to ESET’s blog, WeLiveSecurity for the full report. What I covered here is just the tip of the iceberg.

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Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Millions of Android TVs & phones could be preinstalled with malware
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• These Android apps are riddled with malware – delete them

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According to security firm Trend Micro, hackers infected as many as 8.9 million phones from 50 different brands with malware.

Researchers at Sophos discovered a malware they dubbed Guerrilla, which was identified in 15 apps – all of which, surprisingly, were permitted entry into Google’s Play market

As reported by Ars Technica, the malware works like this:

• The malware opens a backdoor, pushing infected devices to communicate with a remote command-and-control server. 
• Then, the servicer sends malicious updates that collect data about the users. 
• Afterward, the threat actor, which Trend Micro calls the Lemon Group, can sell this data to advertisers. 
• Guerrilla also installs aggressive ad platforms that can deplete battery reserves and degrade the user experience.

People have discovered infected TVs on Amazon

TechCrunch reports that some Android TV boxes sold on Amazon contain hidden malware too.

Here’s how it works: T95 model boxes connect to a server, allowing hackers to install any app they want. They come with clickbot malware that secretly clicks ads to make money for the creators.

How does one protect themselves from malware-ridden boxes? It starts with the buying process. Don’t buy anything from unfamiliar brands.

Instead, go with folks like Samsung, Asus, or OnePlus. They have a proven track record of selling devices that, well, don’t come preinstalled with malware.

Which TV brands are affected by the malware?

In the TechCrunch report, brands such as AllWinner and RockChip are mentioned to have malware-infected TV boxes available on Amazon.

The affected models include AllWinner T95Max, RockChip X12 Plus, and RockChip X88 Pro 10. Amazon has yet to make any public comment on the matter.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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It might seem simple. It might seem stupid. But being able to have separate sliders for your ringtone volume and your notification volume is a big deal.

Since the beginning, “Ring & notification volume” has been a single slider.

This means that if you want to mute the hourly telemarketer scam calls, you must also turn off any indication that you have new notifications.

The folks at 9to5Google reported on the feature back in December 2022 that it would be implemented in Android 13 QPR2, set for March 2023.

March came, along with QPR2, and there was no slider change this time around.

But the command still works in the programming, meaning it’s there.

It can be seen as the ADB command “adb shell device_config put systemui volume_separate_notification true.”

Google has also confirmed the feature in a comment in the issue tracker. They marked the issue as “fixed,” meaning that it will eventually see the light of day.

Millennials around the world can soon rejoice! They’ll be able to turn off their phone’s ringer and still know when their favorite game’s dailies reset.

But when?

The feature will likely be fully available during June’s QPR3 update or potentially in Android 14. The feature still isn’t available in the QPR3 Beta or in 14 Beta 1.1.

In the meantime, Android recently released the ability to auto-archive old apps. Go free up some space. We all know you need to.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Hackers have devised yet another method to sneak malware-infested software onto the Google Play Store, according to a Kaspersky report.

Malware-infected apps are camouflaged within real apps, sold for $2K to $20K on the dark web. Masquerading as legitimate software, these “dropper apps” quietly slip through the Play Store’s review process.

What apps are affected?

In his report, Kaspersky reveals that popular categories riddled with malware threats are financial apps, cryptocurrency trackers, QR-code scanners, dating apps, and naturally, crypto trackers.

After getting the all-clear, these sneaky apps receive nasty updates straight from hacker-controlled servers.

But get this – they only morph into their evil forms after gaining a boatload of users, maximizing the mayhem they can unleash on clueless Android users.

This is some next-level Malware

Therefore, the real danger lies in the extra permissions granted to these apps, allowing hackers to carry out their schemes right under our noses.

Worse yet, these apps detect if they’re being analyzed or sandboxed and halt their activities, foiling security researchers’ attempts at investigation.

However, loader programs aren’t the sole method for slipping malware past Google Play defenses.

Kaspersky draws attention to hackers infiltrating the system with fake developer accounts or snatching authentic accounts with weak passwords or no two-factor authentication.

To make matters even more sinister, they exploit APK binding services, embedding malicious Android installation files within real apps and distributing them through phishing sites or texts.

With APK binding services being wallet-friendly compared to loader programs, they’re gaining popularity among hackers.

However, these underhanded methods don’t strictly rely on the Play Store, rendering them harder to track and stop.

Per BleepingComputer, a Google spokesperson provided this statement:

“Google Play has policies in place to keep users safe that all apps must adhere to. All Android apps undergo security testing before appearing in Google Play.

We take security and privacy claims against apps seriously, and if we find that an app has violated our policies, we take appropriate action.

Users are also protected by Google Play Protect, which can warn users or block identified malicious apps on Android devices.

How to protect yourself from these threats

Securing your Android device may seem like waging an eternal war, but it’s really not that hard, you just have to stay vigilant. This means keeping your eyes peeled when downloading apps, opting for a selective approach.

Additionally, be prepared to scrutinize those one-starred ratings, and don’t hesitate to investigate reputable sources for the bigger picture.

Another big one is avoiding public public chargers and investing in a VPN when you’re browsing on a public WiFi network.

As Google beefs up Play Store defenses, crafty hackers inevitably discover new workarounds.

So, even with Google Play Protect giving us a helping hand, it’s really up to you to walk the tightrope. Be vigilant.

Keep your eyes peeled – there’s always a digital baddie lurking, so don’t let yourself become their next mark.

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Google has just launched a new auto-archiving feature that removes over 60% of unused apps’ data from your device, saving you sweet precious storage space in the process.

This is great for Android users who are always looking for ways to maximize their phone’s storage space.

With the ability to remove over 60% of unused app data, this feature is expected to free up space for users to store more critical data on their device

According to a post on the Android Developers Blog, this feature won’t remove any user data and will mark the presence of the app with a cloud icon on your device.

Archived apps will have this recognizable symbol, making it easy for users to distinguish them from active apps.

When Android users run low on storage while trying to install a new app, they will see a prompt to use the auto-archiving feature.

“Your device is out of storage, and you won’t be able to install this app. With app archiving turned on, your device will detect when you don’t have enough storage and automatically archive apps that you don’t use often. Your personal data will be saved in case you download the app again.”

So, if activated, the feature will automatically archive unused apps while removing permissions and temporary files and disabling notifications.

How to enable auto-archiving apps

When trying to install a new app on your device but are out of storage, a pop-up window asks if you want to enable the auto-archive feature.

If you opt-in, the feature will automatically archive unused apps on your device, freeing up enough space to install your new app.

Users can also manually check for unused apps. Here’s how:

• Go to Settings
• Apps
• Unused apps
• You’ll see the last time an app was opened. From here, you’ll have to decide which apps to remove to free up storage

With this new feature, Android users can now say goodbye to the hassle of constantly running out of storage space and make room for more apps and memories on their devices.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post New Android feature frees up storage when you really need it appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Android apps store there data in the data partition. This section of your device storage is also known as Shared Storage, as all your apps put their data here.

If you notice your Android device slowing down, it might be time to clear out your storage to speed things up again.

That could be as simple as clearing your device’s app cache. But you’ll need to know where Android apps store data.

Once done, all the files your apps have added to storage are gone. Hopefully, that fixes the slowdown.

The app cache should make all your apps load faster in a perfect system. The reality is that many apps don’t use caching efficiently.

This has the result of making your device slower as it contains more data than needed.

It could even be an issue after updating an app if enough structural changes make the existing cache data obsolete.

So, how do you deal with this without factory resetting your device? Where does Android store its files Let’s find out.

So, where do Android apps store data?

Short answer: In the Data partition

Android takes a different take on storage compared to desktop operating systems.

When you install an app (either from the Google Play Store or a downloaded apk file), Android places that into the device’s app folder.

That’s /data/app/your_package_name for most apps. Some encrypted apps use /data/app-private/your_package_name.

This section of your device storage is also known as Shared Storage, as all your apps put their data here.

The thing is, giving apps access to the whole folder causes some issues. The first is that sometimes files generated stay in internal storage, even after uninstalling the app.

The second is that it’s a security risk, as any app on the device can access that folder.

Google fixed this in Android 11 with a thing called Scoped Storage. The biggest change is that apps should now have all their generated files inside their own app directory.

That means no more cluttering up the Shared Storage folder. Now the system knows which files were created by individual apps, so there won’t be leftover files after uninstalling.

READ MORE: Where is the Trash folder on Android devices?

It also hides the Android/data and Android/OBB folders from other apps. This is good for your data privacy, although it has stopped some third-party file management tools from being able to manage your data.

How to clear app cache on Android

We’ll walk you through the process if you are ready to clear out your Android cache.

Most users only need to clear the app cache by doing the following:

1. Open Settings

2. Then Storage > Apps

3. Then tapping on individual apps, then on Clear cache from the menu that opens

If your apps misbehave, such as crashing when opened, you might also need to clear the data files.

That’s on the same page where it says Clear Data. Doing this puts the app back into a freshly installed state.

That means it wipes all information on your device from that app. It also makes you sign in again if it’s an app that uses a login.

Only do this if you’re sure that you have backups of any important documents that the app has created.

What do you think? Have you ever had any issues with clearing your Android app cache? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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