Skip to main content

How to keep data safe on a Samsung Galaxy A phone

Bought your favorite Samsung Galaxy A phone? Before you start storing all your personal information on the device, learn some ways to keep your sensitive data safe. Samsung Galaxy A phones come with a range of helpful settings that enable you to adjust privacy controls and safeguard your private information to stay protected online.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your data safe on a Samsung Galaxy A phone.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • Samsung Galaxy A phone

Set up a screen lock

One of the most obvious ways to keep your data safe on your Samsung Galaxy A phone is to set up a screen lock.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Select Lock screen.

Lock screen option in settings.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Choose Screen lock type. You can choose between a password, a PIN, or a pattern.

Screen lock types on Samsung Galaxy phone.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: You can also set up a fingerprint lock by going to Settings > Biometrics and security > Fingerprints.

Biometrics option on Samsung Galaxy phone.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Set up a smart lock

If entering your lock screen password every time feels like a hassle, consider setting up a smart lock on your Samsung Galaxy A phone. This option will let you unlock your phone automatically when it's in a trusted location like in your house or car.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Select Lock screen.

Lock screen option in settings.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Select Smart lock.

Smart lock option on Samsung device.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Choose between On-body detection (unlocks your phone when it's in your hand or pocket), Trusted places (unlocks your phone when it's in one of the trusted locations like your house or car), and Trusted devices (unlocks your phone when it's connected to a trusted network like Bluetooth).

Smart lock options on Samsung device.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Use two-step verification

Another effective way to safeguard your data on your Samsung Galaxy A phone is by using two-step verification. You can enable this in your Google Account by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open your Google account by clicking on Manage your Google account.

Manage your Google account.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Select Security.

Security option in Manage your Google account.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Scroll down to the Signing in to Google panel and select two-step verification.

2-step verification option.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Be careful when downloading apps

It's fun to download and explore new apps. But be careful when downloading new, unknown apps. Follow the steps below to ensure you're only downloading apps that'll keep your data safe.

Step 1: Only download apps from official sources like the Google Play Store.

Installing an app on Google Play Store.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Read the privacy policy carefully. You can often find this on the setup screen when you first install an app.

Step 3: Install virus scanning apps to make sure you haven't accidentally downloaded malicious apps or files.

Step 4: You can view app permissions by going to Settings > Apps > App permissions.

Back up your data

Even if you follow the best security measures, there's always a chance that your data may be hacked. To minimize damage in these cases, consider having a data backup.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Account > Backup.

Backup your data.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Go to Samsung Cloud > Back up data.

Samsung cloud option in settings.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: You can also choose to back up your data on an external drive.

Set up Secure Folder

Samsung's Secure Folder is a safe place to store photos, videos, files, apps, and data that you want to keep private. Here's how to set it up.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Select Biometrics and security.

Biometrics option on Samsung Galaxy phone.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Go to Secure folder.

Samsung Secure Folder.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Sign in to your Samsung account.

Step 5: Select Add files.

Add files in Samsung Secure Folder.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: Select the file type you want to add.

File type options in Samsung Secure Folder.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 7: Pick the files you want to add and decide whether you want to create a copy of the files in the Secure Folder or move them entirely.

Step 8: You can also move the files directly. Select the files, go to More, and select Move to Secure Folder.

Move to secure folder option on Samsung device.
Digital Trends

Use privacy screen protectors

If you want to keep your data safe when you're using your device in a public place, consider using a privacy screen protector. These are designed in a way to prevent others from peeping into your phone. Only the person in front of the screen can view what's on the screen while others only see a black background.

Some good options include:

YWXTW Privacy Screen Protector

LYWHL 2-Pack Privacy Screen Protector

Zeking 2-Pack Samsung Galaxy A30/ A50 Anti-glare Privacy Screen Protector

While these steps can help you keep your data safe on your Samsung Galaxy A phone, we encourage you to be careful about how you use your device.

Protecting your personal information often comes down to the basics: Don't share passwords, don't click on suspicious links, and don't download malicious apps.

Set strong screen locks, have data backups, and update your phone regularly to keep your device safe.

Editors' Recommendations

Sakshi Udavant
Sakshi Udavant is a freelance journalist and marketing writer covering technology, business, wellbeing and lifestyle. She…
Need a cheap tablet? The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is $170 today
The front and back of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+.

Not all tablet deals are directed towards power users, because there are also offers that make basic tablets even more affordable. Here's one from Best Buy -- a $50 discount on the 64GB model of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, which slashes its price to just $170 from $220 originally. It's the device that you should buy if you're only planning to use it for day-to-day tasks, but you'll have to hurry with your purchase if you don't want to miss out on the savings. We're not sure if the offer will still be around tomorrow, so you should finish the transaction today.

Why you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor and 4GB of RAM, which are only enough to handle simple tasks. However, if that's all you need from a tablet -- browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, checking social media, and similar functions -- then this device is perfect for you. It ships with Android 13, but you'll be able to upgrade it to the latest version of the operating system, Android 14, so that you can access some of the latest features and security updates. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ only comes with 64GB of internal storage, but you can add up to 1TB of more space using a microSD card.

Read more
Foldable phone deals: Samsung, Motorola, Google, and more, from $500
Motorola Razr Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in hand with cover display turned on.

Now's a great time to buy a foldable phone because of the discounts that are available through phone deals from Motorola and Best Buy. If you've been following the recent resurgence of stylish and functional folding phones from brands like Motorola, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, don't miss this chance at huge savings. If any of the bargains below catch your eye, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right away, because for some of these offers, tomorrow may already be too late.
Motorola Razr 2023 (128GB) -- $500, was $700

The Motorola Razr 2023 is the most affordable option in this list, but it offers everything that you would expect from a foldable phone. It's lightweight and compact when folded, with notifications and other essential information displayed on its 1.5-inch OLED cover screen, but it features a 6.9-inch Full HD+ pOLED inner display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The Motorola Razr 2023 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM, and it has a a 64MP main camera and a 13MP wide-angle camera at the back.

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24 in Marble Gray standing on park bench.

In the market for a new phone? You might be considering the latest offering from Samsung, which includes the Galaxy S24. It’s the entry level model for the S24 lineup, but still packs great performance and power with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 8GB RAM, a beautiful LTPO AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits peak brightness. And even though it’s a base model, you get a triple lens camera system.

But the Galaxy S24 isn’t the only option you have out there. Here are five great alternatives to consider if you’re thinking about the S24.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Read more