Samsung Expands ‘Inactivity Restart’ Auto-Reboot to More Galaxy Phones

Samsung is extending a 72-hour auto-reboot safeguard to more Galaxy models in recent updates, with first sightings on S26 units in Korea.

Overview

Galaxy S26 users in South Korea are beginning to see the Inactivity Restart option, likely via the February 2026 security patch, according to SamMobile.
The feature is already present on Galaxy Z Fold 7 with One UI 8 and the February 2026 patch, and on Galaxy S25 devices running One UI 8.5 beta with the November 2025 patch.
When enabled, a phone that remains locked for 72 hours auto-reboots into a Before First Unlock state that requires a PIN, pattern, or password and disables biometric unlock until first authentication.
After the restart, notifications from some apps, caller names, and certain alarms may remain hidden until the user unlocks, with SIM-locked devices needing SIM unlock to receive calls.
Availability varies by model and region and may arrive through Samsung firmware or Google Play system updates, and the feature can be toggled under Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Inactivity restart.