Is your phone constantly buzzing with notifications, pulling you away from what matters? Samsung's 'Now Bar' might be the answer, offering a streamlined way to stay informed without unlocking your phone. But here's where it gets controversial... is it really that helpful, or just another battery drain waiting to happen? Let's dive in!
First, a little about the author. Faith, a guide, how-to, and roundup writer for Android Police, spends her time exploring the latest Android games and apps. You might find her dissecting a new free-to-play game or voicing concerns about digital privacy – a topic she's deeply passionate about. She's also been known to explore Samsung's One UI features. On the gaming front, she specializes in action RPGs and gacha games, though she occasionally ventures into competitive shooters. Above all, she has an insatiable curiosity for new stories, exemplified by her love for the Trails series.
Before joining Android Police, Faith earned an honors specialization in Chemistry in 2016. All those hours spent in the lab honed her analytical skills. Now, when faced with a problem, she tackles it relentlessly until she finds a solution. A student favorite was writing reports, presentations, tutorials, and literature reviews, which led her to pursue a graduate certificate in technical writing. Her work at Android Police has ignited a passion for user security and privacy, leading her to pursue cybersecurity certification.
Faith's Android journey began with the Samsung Galaxy Note II in 2012, which showed her how powerful a small piece of hardware could be. However, she regrets missing out on the Google Nexus. A gamer for over 20 years, starting with Super Mario Bros. on the NES, she has owned over 15 gaming devices, from handhelds to consoles. Now, she combines her analytical mind, writing skills, and gaming passion as a technical writer and gaming journalist.
Currently, Faith analyzes spreadsheets and assembles data for team and build theorycrafting in games like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, and Zenless Zone Zero. She also uncovers hidden gems in Android gaming, productivity apps, and AI features.
Okay, now let's get to the main event: the Now Bar. Simply put, Samsung's Now Bar is a feature that displays real-time information at the bottom of your lock screen and on the Always On Display (AOD). Think of it as a mini-dashboard for quick access to information and controls, like live alerts, media playback, and timers, without needing to unlock your phone. It's a UX feature designed for convenience.
To use it, you'll need a Samsung Galaxy device running One UI 7 or later. And this is the part most people miss... when it first launched, it was considered a bit of an unsung hero. While app support was initially limited, Samsung promised ongoing improvements. If your frequently used apps are supported in the Now Bar settings, it's worth considering, as it could save you valuable screen time.
So, what exactly is the Now Bar, and what can you add to it? It's essentially a toolbar often paired with AI-powered features, aiming to provide a personalized and convenient experience. The Now Bar allows you to display live notifications from selected apps, control media playback, manage timers, view sports scores, access Modes and Routines, use Google Maps GPS navigation, and see Samsung Health updates (like Sleep Scores). It primarily supports Samsung apps, but some Google and third-party apps have also hopped on board.
Keep in mind that supported apps can vary depending on your OS version and device. The examples mentioned here are based on One UI 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S25+. The feature is still evolving, so expect more app support and settings from Samsung and Google in future updates, along with wider availability on older devices. But here's a question: will Samsung truly deliver on their promise of expanded support, or will the Now Bar remain a niche feature?
Setting up the Now Bar is straightforward:
- Make sure your device is running One UI 7 or later.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Lock screen and AOD.
- Select Now bar.
- Scroll down to Live notifications and tap View more.
- Tap the toggles next to the apps you want to enable live notifications for. You can always turn them off later by re-tapping the toggle.
Now that you've customized your Now Bar, let's see how to use it:
- Double-tap your phone or press the Power button to open your lock screen.
- Swipe upward on the pill-shaped notification or app controls bar at the bottom of your lock screen, next to your app shortcuts.
- Tap the Now Bar to expand it. For more options, tap and hold (long press) on the Now Bar.
- Tap Remove or Now bar settings. If these options aren't available, the specific app doesn't support them.
Important note: If the Now Bar for a particular app isn't appearing on your lock screen, even though it's enabled in your settings, it probably means the app isn't currently open or running. You'll need to unlock your device and check the app first.
Now, the big question: can the Now Bar drain your battery? As someone who's very careful about preserving smartphone battery life, I was initially skeptical. While it does contribute to some battery drain, it hasn't been a major issue on my Galaxy S25+. But the real benefit is that it's helped me reduce my overall screen time, as I don't need to unlock my phone to read all my in-app alerts. The minimalist design has its advantages. While the playback controls for Spotify and YouTube are simple, navigating the full apps would use more battery.
However, you might encounter issues if you have too many apps open or too many live notifications enabled. A quick fix is to go to your settings and turn off the Now Bar live notifications feature for specific apps.
Finally, let's talk about Now Brief. Although it was released alongside the Now Bar, they're separate features. Now Brief is an AI-powered feature that provides curated content throughout your day, like weather updates, reminders, and calendar events. It aims to supply relevant information based on your recorded activities (including sleep and awake periods) on a small card in your Edge panel, home screen (widget), and lock screen. Your Now Brief information will also appear in your Now Bar notifications. So, for more personalized insights, set up Now Brief in your lock screen and AOD settings.
So, what's the verdict? Is the Now Bar a game-changer, or just another gimmick? Does the convenience outweigh the potential battery drain? And more importantly, which apps do you think should be supported by the Now Bar? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
