Galaxy S8 - unlocks with swipe after Oreo update!

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DS248

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#232203 4-Apr-2018 15:51

On VF prepay. Updated to Oreo last night.

This morning I discovered by accident that just swiping the lock screen now opens my phone! That is despite having set password and fingerprint security from the start. In settings security still showing as password and fingerprint.

Not certain how to stop swipe opening it.

Anyone else struck this issue?

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#1988269 4-Apr-2018 16:00

Do you have Smart lock enabled?

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#1988272 4-Apr-2018 16:07

Ok odd I have instant lock with power button enabled and not at home (smart lock location) and can unlock with just a swipe!

I was not expecting this, I have double checked all my security settings as well

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DS248

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#1988278 4-Apr-2018 16:18

Hmm. I never set it but I got a Gear S3 watch about 6 weeks ago and I vaguely recall it mentioning something about Smart Lock while that was initialising the watch. However, I assumed that meant it would allow the watch to access the phone when the phone was locked.

The watch was nearby when I unlocked using swipe, though I was not wearing it.

I now see an entry under 'Trusted Devices' on the S8: Gear S3 (....) unlocks the phone when nearby!

That seems a big security risk? Just steal both the phone and watch and you are home and dry.

Would seem a lot better if it required the watch nearby and the watch had to bio-metrically recognise the wearer (from pulse pattern?!!!)

Or provide access only between the watch and phone while the phone is otherwise locked.

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#1988280 4-Apr-2018 16:22

I have a trusted location setup (home) I am at work right now and my phone will not lock and swipe just unlocks the handset and have also checked the work address is not in the trusted location list

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DS248

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#1988291 4-Apr-2018 16:42

Have now confirmed that with my watch turned off, I can't swipe unlock (so long as it has been locked after the watch is turned off). So I guess in my case it is working as is supposed to. But that still seems very weak security.

Your case is more concerning though - not working as it should.

I have instant lock with power button enabled like you but have not set home as a trusted location yet. Should be OK in the normal course of events but still dwelling on it. Seems to leave things open in the case of burglary?

Both cases seem to need an added layer such as bio-metric ID in addition to trusted location / trusted device

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#1988299 4-Apr-2018 16:55

It is good that you understand the ramifications of employing the different levels of security. However, I find the smart lock feature, particularly with Gear S3 a real bonus. Likewise, I had it set up with my car's Bluetooth (disabled as not required because of watch), and have facial recognition and fingerprint as well. I am aware of the security risks, but to me the main risk is if it is left unattended, in which case the S3 is on my wrist and nowhere near the phone, so it's locked.
I had a feeling that if the S3 isn't worn, after a prriod the smart lock function is disabled (not 100% sure).

Edit: If you don't like the risk, then just lock it down.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996