Samsung Lets Galaxy Z Fold 8 Users Unlock With 1 Touch as Default Adds 2-Step Security

Q: Why did Samsung ditch futuristic in-display fingerprint sensors for a physical button on its most advanced Galaxy Z 8 foldables?

Samsung did not really “ditch” in-display fingerprint sensors because the side-mounted button better suits a foldable’s hardware and everyday use. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, the fingerprint reader sits in the power key, where a thumb naturally lands whether the phone is folded or unfolded. That gives Samsung one fixed, easy-to-reach sensor position across both form factors, something an under-display reader cannot do as simply on a device with two usable screens and a folding chassis. The side sensor also appears to be the more practical and reliable option. Reports tied to Samsung’s foldables describe it as very fast, nearly instant, and less dependent on the screen being awake. It is also less likely than some under-display readers to struggle with wet or dirty fingers. Setup is simpler too: users can swipe a finger across the side sensor to register prints, rather than repeatedly lifting and tapping on a display. Samsung’s software choices show the trade-off it is managing. By default, users must touch and press the side key to unlock, which Samsung says reduces accidental unlocks and improves security because the sensor is exactly where a hand often rests. Users who prefer speed can switch it to touch-only unlocking, and even limit that behavior to folded or unfolded mode. So the move is less about abandoning futuristic tech than choosing a sensor that works better with a foldable’s design, ergonomics and reliability needs.

Q: Could changing one simple fingerprint setting on your new Galaxy Z Fold 8 secretly compromise your phone's security?

Not really—but it can slightly reduce practical security if you prioritize speed over caution. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, Samsung’s default fingerprint behavior requires both touching and pressing the side key to unlock. Samsung says that extra action helps stop accidental unlocks, which is a bigger issue on foldables because the side-mounted sensor sits where your thumb naturally rests. If you switch the setting to touch-to-unlock, the phone does not become fundamentally insecure in the sense of weakening fingerprint encryption or Knox protections. Your biometric data is still protected the same way. What changes is the chance of unintended access: the phone may unlock more easily when you pick it up, hold it tightly, or brush the sensor by mistake. That risk is real but limited. It is mainly a convenience-versus-control tradeoff, not a hidden security flaw. Samsung even lets users narrow the behavior so fingerprint unlocking works only when the device is folded or only when unfolded, which can reduce accidental triggers while keeping faster access in the situation you prefer. For users worried about security or accidental unlocks, keeping the default press-to-unlock setting is the safer option. For users who value speed and rarely trigger the sensor unintentionally, touch-to-unlock is a reasonable choice. The best setting depends less on secret vulnerability than on how you hold and use the foldable every day.

3 articles · Updated · SamMobile - Samsung news · Aug 18

Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8 owners can switch the side-mounted fingerprint sensor from touch-and-press to simple touch, cutting unlocks to one step.
Samsung ships the phones with the two-step setting enabled, requiring both a fingerprint touch and a side-key press to reduce accidental unlocks.
The always-on option can be set separately for the folded cover screen and the unfolded main screen, reflecting the foldables' dual-form design.
The trade-off is unintended access: brushing the sensor on the frame the right way can unlock the phone without the user noticing.