title:
Request: Add a toggle for the Power Menu auto-lock behavior
(Post creation time:
11-8-2026 11:25 AM
)
24 Views
M
Members_P7oRaYW
Beginner Level 3
Hey everyone,
Has anyone else noticed this weird Power Menu behavior on One UI 9 (Galaxy S25 Ultra)?
When my phone is already unlocked, if I open the Power Menu and then cancel/back out of it, the phone immediately locks itself and asks for my PIN. However, if I actually go ahead and tap "Power off" while it's unlocked, it shuts down completely without asking for a PIN or biometrics.
It feels pretty backwards—it locks out the actual owner just for accidentally opening the power menu, while still letting an unlocked phone be turned off without a password.
Samsung should really add a dedicated toggle in **Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Secure lock settings** that lets us:
1. Require a PIN/biometrics to power off or restart (even when unlocked)
Giving us the choice would fix this annoyance. Upvote if you agree so the Samsung team sees this!
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GAYANTHA_SENANAYAKA
Active Level 6
11-8-2026 03:13 PM
in
What you're experiencing is actually a deliberate design shift Samsung introduced in One UI 9.
Why the Phone Locks When Backing Out
In One UI 9, Samsung integrated automatic Lockdown Mode directly into the power menu workflow.
* The Intention: If someone snatches your phone while it is unlocked, opening the power menu instantly disables biometrics (fingerprint/face recognition) and requires a backup PIN/password to regain access.
* The Annoyance: Because Samsung made this automatic rather than an opt-in or manual action (in older versions, "Lockdown Mode" was a dedicated button in the power menu), simply opening and canceling out of the power menu forces the OS to re-authenticate via PIN every single time.
The Power-Off Behavior & Existing Settings
The fact that your device shuts down without a PIN while unlocked happens because Android treats an unlocked device state as an fully authenticated session. However, Samsung already has a security policy designed to lock down power/network options when the screen is secured:
* Go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Secure lock settings.
* Enter your current PIN/password.
* Ensure Lock network and security is toggled ON.
> ⚠️ Note: When Lock network and security is enabled, nobody can switch off Mobile Data, Wi-Fi, or power off/restart the phone from the Lock Screen without authenticating first.
>
Workarounds & Community Feedback
* Avoid the Side Key Power Menu: If you frequently use the Side Key and keep opening the power menu accidentally, rebind it! Go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button, and set Press and hold to Wake Bixby. You can then use the Quick Settings pull-down shade power icon when you actually need to shut down.
* Feedback Submission: To voice your support for a dedicated toggle (such as letting users disable auto-lockdown on cancel, or requiring a PIN for shutdown even while unlocked), submit diagnostic feedback directly through Samsung Members > Support > Send feedback > Ideas / Suggestions. Samsung product engineers monitor submissions in the Members app much more closely than forum posts.