Month: July 2025

Samsung Encouraging Users to Activate Latest Anti-Theft Features to Help Tackle Phone Theft

As incidents of phone theft continue to rise around the world, Samsung is calling on Galaxy users to activate the latest anti-theft features now available on their devices. These updates reflect Samsung’s commitment to delivering smarter, stronger protection – helping users safeguard their data and stay in control, even in high-risk situations.

Samsung recently started rolling out One UI 7 with security updates to existing features, including additional theft protection and anti-robbery features. These will now also be available to even more devices, having started with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in February, and now expanding across more Galaxy smartphones throughout the year.

Samsung is introducing new security updates to better protect users in the event of phone theft. One major update is Theft Protection – a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data, even in high-risk situations such as robbery.

Theft Protection builds on standard Android safeguards, which are effective in typical theft scenarios where the thief doesn’t know the PIN. With One UI 7, Samsung goes further by introducing additional protections that address more advanced or high-risk threat scenarios, including cases where access credentials may have been exposed.

Galaxy users can now enable a range of new security measures, including Identity Check, designed to offer stronger protection in complex theft scenarios. These features respond automatically and intelligently to suspicious activity, helping ensure that personal data remains secure and under the user’s control in these critical moments.

Existing and updated features in Theft Protection include:

  • Theft Detection Lock: This uses machine learning to detect motions associated with theft such as snatching, and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorized access.
  • Offline Device Lock: The screen gets automatically locked if the device is disconnected from the network for an extended period, ensuring protection even when the device is offline.
  • Remote Lock: If the device has already been stolen, users can lock it remotely using their phone number and a quick verification step. Remote Lock also allows users to regain control of their account and explore additional recovery options.

 New Anti-Robbery features released on One UI 7 include:

  • Identity Check: In unfamiliar locations, the ‘Safe Places’ feature requires biometric authentication for any changes to sensitive security settings, adding an additional layer of protection when a PIN may have been compromised.
    • Security Delay: A key component of Identity Check, it triggers a one-hour waiting period if someone attempts to reset biometric data. This crucial buffer gives users time to lock the stolen phone from a connected device, such as a PC or tablet, before unauthorized access can occur.

These updated theft features are now becoming available on previous flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23 and S22 series,  with future updates planned for even more Galaxy smartphones.

Further steps to take if your Samsung Galaxy device is lost or stolen

 

How to remotely lock your Samsung Galaxy device:

  • Sign into Samsung Find using your Samsung account
  • Select your phone on the left-hand side of the page, then choose Lost Mode in the device details section
  • Create a PIN to unlock your phone if recovered, and enter it twice to confirm
  • You will have the option to add an emergency contact and a custom message that will display on the locked screen (It’s recommended to skip this step to avoid sharing personal contact details)
  • When you are ready, select the Lock button and verify your Samsung account to activate Lost mode
  • If your device is recovered, you can unlock it using the PIN that was created when setting lost mode on your device

 

How to remotely delete data on your Samsung Galaxy device: 

  • Visit the Samsung Find website
  • Select the phone you want to erase and choose Erase Data
  • Verify your Samsung account credentials
  • Review the information provided and tap Erase to confirm
  • All the data on your mobile, including Samsung Pay information, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
  • This will also reset your phone, meaning you won’t be able to locate and control it via Samsung Find
  • Make sure to regularly back up your data to the cloud so you can restore it to a new device if needed

 

How to remotely change your Samsung and/or Google account passwords: 

  • It is recommended to change the passwords for your Samsung and Google accounts (or whichever accounts are linked to your device) by signing in through their respective websites
  • Once changed, you will be signed out of all connected devices, except the one you’re using
  • This prevents unauthorized access to account-linked features and protects your personal information

 

How to track your Galaxy device:

If your device is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, its last known location will appear on a map

  • Visit the Samsung Find website
  • Sign in with the Samsung account associated with your device (or a guardian’s account)
  • If multiple devices are linked to your account, they will all appear – select the one you want to locate
  • You’ll see its current or last known location

 Other remote features available: 

  • Ring: Make your device ring even if it’s set to silent or vibrate
  • Extend battery life: Activate power-saving settings to keep your device on longer and improve the chances of recovery
  • Track location: Enable real-time location tracking and your phone’s location will update every 15 minutes until tracking is stopped

Other ways to locate Galaxy devices

 

Find your phone using your Galaxy watch (WearOS 5 or higher):

  • Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Watch to open Quick settings
  • Tap the Find My Phone icon
  • Tap Start to begin the search – your phone’s ringtone will sound
  • Once found, tap Stop on your watch or the X icon on your phone

Find your Galaxy Watch: 

  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone
  • Tap Find My Watch (or Find My Band / Find My Gear, depending on your device)
  • If connected via Bluetooth, tap Start
  • Your watch will vibrate and play a sound (depending on model)
  • Once found, tap the X icon on your watch or Stop on your phone

Find your Galaxy Buds: 

  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet
  • Tap Find My Earbuds
  • Tap Start – your earbuds will begin beeping and gradually increase in volume for three minutes
  • Once found, tap Stop

Using Google’s Find My Device:

  • Google’s Find My Device is built into Android via Google Play Services
  • You will need a Google account to use it
  • With this tool, you can set a new password, make your device ring, display a message, lock and wipe your device, and more

Contact the authorities and your mobile network provider: 

  • Once taken the steps above, report your lost or stolen device to the police and record a crime incident report
  • Contact your mobile network provider to freeze your contract and prevent unauthorized usage

For additional device protection, it is recommended to have insurance that covers accidental damage, loss, or theft. Samsung offers a variety of protection plans – visit Samsung.com to explore coverage options that best suit your needs.

To find out more about the latest anti-theft features now available on Samsung devices please visit: Samsung.com/ie

See our Samsung Reviews

Tracking and Reducing Waste: Digital Tools for Sustainable Construction

Sustainability in construction is no longer just a buzzword. As client expectations rise and regulations tighten, builders are under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible practices — especially when it comes to waste management. The good news is that digital tools are making it easier than ever to track, reduce, and report on waste across the entire construction lifecycle.

Understanding Construction Waste at the Source

Waste on site isn’t always obvious. Offcuts, excess orders, rework due to mistakes — it all adds up. Materials aren’t just wasted in the skip, but also in the hours spent handling unnecessary deliveries, correcting errors, or storing unused items.

Many builders still rely on manual tracking or incomplete documentation, which makes it difficult to measure or improve waste performance. The key to change is visibility. When builders can see where and why waste is happening, they can start to make better decisions.

Designing Out Waste from the Start

Prevention starts well before materials hit the site. Early-stage planning and accurate estimating are crucial to reducing over-ordering and minimising rework. This is where digital tools shine.

With digital takeoffs and integrated quoting systems, builders can create more precise material orders that match the job’s actual requirements. These systems also highlight cost variances in real time, allowing quick adjustments to prevent waste before it occurs.

Working from a detailed, well-structured plan means fewer surprises — and fewer wasteful changes down the track.

Site Coordination and Scheduling

Miscommunication and poor timing often lead to materials arriving too early or too late. When items sit on site too long, they risk weather damage, theft, or becoming obsolete as plans change. If they arrive too late, trades are delayed, and changes are rushed.

Digital project scheduling and job tracking platforms help solve this by providing clearer timelines and alerts for ordering. They ensure materials arrive when they’re needed — not weeks in advance — and that changes are communicated across the team quickly.

By aligning logistics with site activity, builders can significantly cut down on unnecessary handling, storage, and disposal.

Using Software to Measure Environmental Impact

Builders are increasingly expected to report on the environmental performance of their projects — whether for compliance, marketing, or client assurance. This means tracking waste volumes, recycling rates, and material sourcing decisions.

This is where software for construction management can add real value. By centralising procurement, site diaries, and waste reporting in one platform, builders can generate reliable data with minimal extra effort. That means you’re not just managing sustainability — you can prove it.

Whether it’s showing clients how much material was diverted from landfill or meeting local council requirements for waste minimisation, accurate reporting helps demonstrate accountability and build trust.

Supplier Integration and Smarter Ordering

Part of the waste challenge comes from inconsistent supply chains. Without real-time price lists or supplier catalogues, it’s easy to order incorrectly or miss updates on product specifications.

Digital tools that integrate with suppliers reduce these risks. Builders can access up-to-date pricing and product data directly from within their estimating or procurement workflows. This leads to more accurate orders, better budgeting, and fewer returns or misused items.

In some cases, builders can also track environmental credentials, such as recycled content or emissions impact, directly from product listings — giving them even more control over sustainable sourcing.

Educating Teams Through Digital Workflows

Even the best plans can fall apart without team buy-in. If site workers aren’t aware of sustainability goals or don’t have the tools to meet them, waste will continue to rise.

Digital platforms help embed sustainability into daily workflows. Waste handling instructions, recycling protocols, and material specifications can be shared directly with site teams through mobile apps or shared dashboards.

This makes it easier to enforce expectations and support team members in doing the right thing, rather than relying on signage or toolbox talks alone.

Long-Term Benefits for Builders

Managing waste isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good for business. Less waste means lower material costs, reduced skip bin hire, and fewer delays caused by rework. It also helps builders stand out in a competitive market where clients increasingly value environmental responsibility.

By adopting digital tools that support waste reduction, builders position themselves as forward-thinking, efficient, and accountable.

Conclusion

Waste is an unavoidable part of construction — but how it’s managed makes all the difference. With the help of modern tools and thoughtful planning, builders can reduce their environmental impact and improve project performance at the same time.

To explore how software for construction management can support your waste-reduction goals, talk to Buildxact and see how smarter planning leads to better outcomes.