How to use the Now bar on the lock screen of your Samsung Galaxy device
The Now bar on your Samsung Galaxy device is an activity widget that appears on the lock screen and displays real-time information such as notifications, music playback, and timers. It lets you check information and control certain activities without unlocking your phone. By showing updates from supported apps, the feature helps you manage daily tasks more conveniently directly from the lock screen.
How to set up the Now bar
You can turn on the Now bar in Lock screen and AOD(Always On Display) settings. In Live information, you can check which apps support the Now bar and choose only the apps you want to display. You can also turn on options such as Now brief, Current mode, Do not disturb, and Flashlight. Follow the steps below to configure the feature.
Step 1. Tap Settings.
Step 2. Select Lock screen and AOD.
Step 3. Select Now bar.
Step 4. Select See all in Live notifications.
Step 5. Turn on the apps you want to display.
Step 6. Turn on the options you want to use, such as Now brief, Current mode, Do not disturb, Torch.
What to do if the Now bar does not appear
If the Now bar still does not appear on the lock screen after you turn on all supported apps and options, check your notification settings. The Now bar requires lock screen notifications to be turned on. For each supported app, notification permission, lock screen display, and live information must also be allowed.
1. How to turn on lock screen notifications
Step 1. Tap Settings.
Step 2. Select Notifications.
Step 3. Select Lock screen.
Step 4. Turn on Show notifications.
2. How to turn on app notifications for supported apps
If the Now bar still does not appear, check whether Allow notifications, Lock screen, and Live notifications are turned on in the notification settings for apps that support the Now bar. If the Now bar appears but only shows the app name instead of the app content, turn on Show content when unlocked to display the app content as well. If Show content when unlocked does not appear, go to Settings > Notifications > Lock screen, then turn on the option to show notification content on the lock screen. Also, if Manage notification categories for each app is turned on in Advanced settings under Notifications, open Notification categories for the relevant app and make sure all required categories are turned on.
Step 1. Tap Settings.
Step 2. Select Notifications.
Step 3. Select App notifications.
Step 4. Tap the More options.
Step 5. Select Show system apps.
Step 6. Select a supported app.
Step 7. Turn on Allow notifications, Show or hide content when locked, and Live notifications.
Step 8. If Notification categories is turned on, select Notification categories.
Step 9. Check whether any categories are turned off, then turn on all categories.
How to use the Now bar on the lock screen
You can control the currently active app directly from the lock screen using the Now bar. For example, you can control music, clock, or recording functions without opening the app. You can also press and hold the Now bar to remove it or change settings. If multiple supported apps are active, you can swipe up on the Now bar to check another one.
1. How to view another Now bar
Step 1. Check the Now bar and swipe up.
Step 2. View another Now bar.
2. How to expand the Now bar
Step 1. Tap the Now bar once.
Step 2. The Now bar expands.
3. How to view Now bar options
Step 1. Press and hold the Now bar.
Step 2. Check the available Now bar options.
Note:
- This feature may not be available depending on the country or model.
- The Now bar does not appear unless the supported app is running. It is displayed in real-time on the lock screen while the app is active.
- Menu names, paths, and screen layouts may vary depending on your device model, software version, or app version.
- Availability of functions supported within the apps may vary by country.
- Some functions may require a network connection or a Samsung Account login.
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