What Is the New Samsung Galaxy S25 Now Bar Feature?

The Galaxy Unpacked event introduced a feature set to redefine user interaction: the Now Bar. It’s part of a larger overhaul of One UI 7, which Samsung rolled out with the Galaxy S25 series. This aims to streamline access to information and controls from different apps directly on the AOD (Always-On-Display).

Essentially, the Now Bar is a dynamic, customizable toolbar that gives you quick access to your most-used apps, settings, and notifications. Its dynamic element on the Galaxy S25’s lock screen sets it apart from other features. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the Samsung Galaxy S25 Now Bar, how it functions, and the benefits it brings to Galaxy S25 users.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series debuts the Now Bar, a new part of the One UI 7 interface. It’s a pill-shaped interface accessible directly from the lock screen, serving as a quick hub of your frequently used functions into a dedicated, easy-to-reach toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

Designed for easy, one-handed use, the Now Bar offers real-time updates from apps like Bixby and Samsung Health. It tailors itself to user habits and adjusts throughout the day to offer relevant information at a glance. Some of the features we’re excited about are:

• Live notifications

• Quick controls

• Interactive widgets

• Real-time updates

To make the most of this feature while keeping your device safe, consider using a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Case. A well-designed case protects your phone and guarantees that the Now Bar and its key features remain easy to access.

Read below to learn more about the Now Bar key features and how they function.

After the recent Galaxy Unpacked event that unveiled the S25 Series, the One UI 7 was officially launched with Android 15. The Now Bar is expected to become available on all eligible Galaxy phones with an official rollout, starting with the Galaxy S24 series this February. Here are some new things we can expect.

The Now Bar is positioned at the bottom of the lock screen, between the left and right shortcuts, and displays live notifications from various apps, including:

• Music

• Recording

• Stopwatch

• Charging status

The exciting part of this is that these widgets are interactive. It lets you control functions like play/pause and skip tracks directly from the lock screen.

Here is it in action for Google Maps live activities:

Customization and ease of use with One UI 7’s Now Bar Interactive Widgets is next level. Unlike static lock screen elements, these widgets are designed to be dynamic, responsive, and seamlessly integrated into your daily routine. With a simple tap or swipe, you can expand the Now Bar to reveal deeper functions, such as:

• Detailed weather updates

• Music controls

• Calendar events

• Quick access to smart home devices

Tapping on the top of a widget expands it into a full widget with smooth animations. Users can also switch between multiple apps within the Now Bar, such as Samsung Notes and Timer.

To experience interactive widgets, check out this post from X:

The real-time updates feature guarantees that the most important information is always at your fingertips. From the latest weather forecast to your daily health stats, your Bixby-powered reminders, and notes from Samsung Notes, everything is at your disposal.

Imagine waking up and tapping the Now Bar to quickly check the weather before heading out. No more need to open an app or ask your voice assistant. The information you need is all there on your lock screen, updated in real time.

Days of closing one app to jump into another are gone. If you’re checking your daily agenda in Samsung Notes but want to glance at the weather, you can expand the Now Bar and switch to the weather widget without leaving your workflow.

This intelligent app switching prioritizes the apps you use most often, making it easy to transfer between tasks without slowing down.

Unfortunately, as good as the Now Bar is, we found out that it may not be available on budget and mid-range Galaxy phones, including the FE lineup. The primary concern for this limitation is hardware design, particularly the placement of the optical under-display fingerprint scanner.

In flagship models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the ultrasonic scanner is positioned higher on the display, allowing space for the Now Bar at the bottom. However, mid-range devices often have the fingerprint scanner placed lower, potentially overlapping with the Now Bar’s position. This overlap could lead to usability issues. For example, accidental activation of the Now Bar when attempting to unlock the phone.

While Samsung could address this by allowing users to reposition the Now Bar, it’s uncertain if the company will implement such a solution. The availability of the Now Bar for mid-range devices remains in question as One UI 7 begins to roll out to older devices.

The Now Bar just got a whole lot better. Not only does it make your life easier by providing quick access to important information, but you can also customize it to fit your personal needs and preferences. Here’s a simple, easy-to-follow process to help you set up, use, and personalize the Now Bar like a pro.

To enable and customize the Now Bar, these are the steps you need to do:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Lock Screen & AOD (Always-On Display).

Step 2: Find and select Now Bar. Toggle the switch to enable it.

Step 3: Tap the Customize Now Bar to see available widgets and features.

Step 4: Toggle ON or OFF the options you want to include, such as:

• Music Controls (Spotify, YouTube Music, Samsung Music)

• Live Notifications (WhatsApp, Messages, Emails)

• Weather Updates

• Health Stats (Samsung Health, Step Count, Heart Rate, etc.)

• Bixby AI Suggestions

• Quick App Shortcuts (Samsung Notes, Calendar, SmartThings, etc.)

Step 5: Tap ‘View more’ to access additional settings, including enabling live app notifications.

Step 6: Tap Save.

Congratulations! Your Now Bar will update instantly with your preferred features!

If you change your mind and want to remove or reset the Now Bar, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings > Lock Screen & AOD > Now Bar.

Step 2: Tap Reset Now Bar Preferences to restore default settings.

Step 3: If you no longer need the feature, toggle the Now Bar OFF. 

Currently, the Now Bar is exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Since this feature is deeply integrated with the advanced AI and dynamic lock screen capabilities of One UI 7, older Samsung models may not support it due to hardware limitations. However, future flagship releases, such as the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, are expected to receive the Now Bar through upcoming software updates.

If you’re considering upgrading the look of your Galaxy S25 Ultra to match the Now Bar, it’s worth investing in a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra minimalist case to get yourself immersed in the experience.

The Samsung Galaxy S25's Now Bar and Now Brief features exemplify the company's commitment to user-centric innovation. By integrating real-time information and personalized briefings directly into the lock screen and home interface, Samsung has elevated the smartphone experience, making it more intuitive and responsive to individual needs.