Many modern phones allow you to view essential data without turning on the full screen, and on Galaxy phones this feature is called Always On Display. The beauty of AOD is to see time, date, notifications and quick music controls. Unlocked, with very low consumption and a touch of customization that makes a difference in everyday life.
Additionally, with the latest iterations of One UI, this tool has gained options and flexibility. If you want to take the always-on screen to your landHere's a detailed guide to enabling it, choosing when it displays, changing its clock style, adding useful widgets, and even adjusting its impact on battery life with modes and schedules.
What is Always On Display and why is it important?
Always On Display, often abbreviated as AOD, keeps a portion of the panel lit to display basic information. You'll usually see the time, date, notification alerts, battery percentage, and playback controls., all on a black background and with high-contrast elements so they can be distinguished at a glance.
This mode takes advantage of OLED or AMOLED panels, where the black pixels are turned off and consume very little power. Hence, consumption is low and it makes sense to leave certain information active. without turning on the screen completely every time you want to check the time or see if you have entered something new.
On some devices, the measured additional expenditure was initially small, around a few percentage points of the daily total. An additional 3 percent was even reported on certain early Samsung models., a guideline figure that helps to understand that the impact exists, but it is moderate if you configure it wisely.
How to activate AOD on your Galaxy step by step
Direct route from Settings
- Open Settings on your phone. It is the starting point for managing the lock screen and AOD.
- Go to Lock Screen or Lock Screen & AOD, depending on your model. The layers may vary slightly in name.
- Tap Always On Display. You will access the switch and its settings.
- Activate the switch at the top. The mode is turned on and ready to customize.
Once activated, the system will allow you to choose the display mode, define when it appears, change its clock style, and add more useful data. You will see the fine control within the Always On Display menu itself..
When AOD is displayed: modes and automatisms
Deciding when it appears is key to balancing convenience and battery life. From the Always On Display menu you will find several options that determine its behavior., adapting to different contexts and preferences.
- Click to display: AOD content appears only when you tap the screen. This is ideal if you want to check it occasionally without it being constantly active.
- Automatic: The system displays it by default, but intelligently turns it off if it detects that you are sleeping, lying face down, or in a very dark environment. It is a very practical middle ground.
- Always: AOD remains visible while the device is locked. This is the most constant and most widely available mode.
- As scheduled: allows you to define a time slot so that it turns on only during certain periods. Perfect to adapt to your routine.
- For new notifications: Activates promptly upon receiving a notification. Useful if you prefer to keep the panel off except when something new arrives.
If you stay in the Always On Display settings, you'll also see the option to Show lock screen wallpaper, which brings the aesthetics of your lockscreen to AOD. It is a visual detail that many users value if they are looking for aesthetic coherence..
Some devices also offer the option to integrate Now Bar into AOD. With this bar, interaction is streamlined when accessing quick elements, keeping the screen always on to serve your daily flow.
Visual customization: clock, colors and style
The clock is the star of the always-on panel, so it's best to leave it to your liking. The way to change your style on the Galaxy is through the lock screen editor., from where you can tweak the font, format and colors.
- On the home screen, press and hold an empty space. This is how the style editor opens.
- Tap on Wallpaper, located at the bottom left.
- Select Lock screen. You will enter the lockscreen editing area.
- Tap the clock to see the available styles. You can choose from several options and change the color in the Font and Style sections.
When you're done adjusting the aesthetics, confirm with Done. Changes to the clock and ringtones will be reflected on the always-on display., maintaining a consistent line of sight with the rest of the system.
Within Settings, under Always On Display, there is an entry dedicated to Clock Style. It is another way to choose the design, adapt colors and even adjust the orientation of the text., in case you prefer a vertical or horizontal format that best suits your use.
Widgets and useful data in AOD
In addition to the clock, you can add pieces of information that appear below it. From the lock screen, go to the widgets section located just below the clock and choose what you want to display on the always-on panel.
Common options include battery details, day and date with more context, weather, and other simple modules. Select only what gives you a quick glance, so that the panel remains clean and legible.
When you're done, tap Done to save. This way the clock and widget set is ready and applied to the AOD view., without the need to unlock to view that information.
Notifications, calls, and music on the always-on display
One of the most practical advantages of AOD is its relationship with notifications and media controls. You'll see icons for new messages, missed calls, and current players., in a sober manner and without revealing sensitive content on the locked screen itself.
With music, the panel offers buttons to pause, fast forward or rewind. All this without activating the full screen or entering the app in question., making it easy to control playback when your phone is on a table or in a stand.
If you prioritize privacy, remember that the goal of AOD is to inform, not to show the full content of ads. This way you keep the essentials in view without compromising personal data. when the phone is locked.
Advanced display settings: schedules and behavior
To get the most out of the mode and keep consumption in check, it's worth playing with the schedules. The As Scheduled option allows you to activate AOD only during useful time slots., for example during the work day or while studying, and deactivate it at night.
Auto mode also helps, as it turns off the panel if it detects that it's face down, there's low ambient light, or you're sleeping. They are automatisms that save battery without you having to intervene. Every two for three.
If you're looking for full availability, it's always your choice. Keep in mind that, by being active for a longer period of time, the impact on consumption will be greater than that of an on-demand mode., especially if you also add several widgets.
Battery impact and compatibility
The reason AOD makes sense is that most of the display remains off on OLED or AMOLED panels. The displayed elements illuminate only the necessary pixels, which limits the expense compared to turning on the entire screen.
In previous tests and experiences, the additional cost is measured and reasonable. It has been estimated that there is an extra 3 percent on some older Samsung models., although the exact figure will vary depending on brightness, active time, widgets used and mode chosen.
If your phone doesn't have an OLED or AMOLED panel, it's likely that it doesn't have AOD or that its implementation isn't feasible due to power consumption. In some cases, Always On can be simulated on non-OLED displays.. The feature is intended for technologies that turn off black pixels, which is why it does not appear on all Android devices.
Tips for reducing consumption without giving up ODA
The balance between utility and autonomy is achieved with small adjustments. Start by limiting widgets to the bare minimum., because the more elements you display, the longer and more surface area of ​​the panel they will remain active.
Adjust the mode to your habits: If you look at your phone frequently, Tap to Show may be a good fit. If you want a hands-free experience but with automatic control, choose Automatic, which softens the impact when you don't need it.
Consider scheduling by time slots. Turning off AOD in the early morning or during non-use hours usually saves enough so you don't have to worry about charging too soon.
Aesthetic integration: lock screen wallpaper and visual consistency
If you like everything to have the same aesthetic, activate Show lock screen background within the AOD options. With this, the always-on panel inherits the background from your lockscreen., maintaining similar colors and shapes.
Of course, it is advisable to choose tones that do not reduce legibility. A clear clock on a high-contrast background works best. than a color that blends in with the graphics on the wallpaper.
Now Bar in AOD: access and fluidity
On certain models and One UI versions, the system allows you to enable the Now Bar in AOD. This bar provides immediate access to actions or information, complementing the classic clock and notifications view.
If the option appears on your device, it is within the AOD settings itself. Activate it and see if it fits your way of checking your phone., as it enhances light interaction without unlocking.
A note on changes in One UI 6.1 and One UI 7
With major updates, menus or options sometimes change. There are users who have missed the possibility of put a fully customized image in AOD after making the jump to One UI 6.1, commenting that they cannot find the previous route.
In these cases, the feature may have been relocated or limited depending on the region and model. Check Settings, Lock screen and Always On Display, as well as the lock screen editor, and check if Show Lock Screen Wallpaper satisfies your aesthetic idea.
If you can't find the specific option you were using before, there isn't always a direct alternative. It is recommended to adjust the clock style, colors and widgets to get closer to the customization you are looking for., pending changes in future versions.
A compact practical guide to leaving AOD to your liking
First, turn on the function. Go to Settings, enter Lock screen and tap Always On Display, turning on the main switch to enable it on your Galaxy.
- Choose when to show it: Tap on show, Automatic, Always, As scheduled, or For new notifications. This decision strikes a balance between comfort and battery life..
- Set the clock style in Clock Style or from the lock screen editor. Change font, format and color until you find the perfect reading.
- Add widgets from the lock screen, under the clock. Include only information that you will review often., such as battery, day or time.
- Consider turning on Show lock screen wallpaper and, if available, the Now Bar. Both options add cohesion and quick access.
- If you're concerned about consumption, use Automatic or schedule times. This way you can make sure that AOD works when you really need it..
Ergonomics and readability: small details that count
Good readability depends on both the design and the environment. If you tend to look at your phone indoors, softer tones may be enough., while outdoors you may prefer more vibrant colors on your watch.
Also check the text orientation and clock size if your device allows it. A simple adjustment can make the difference between comfortable viewing and having to strain your eyes. to distinguish the time or battery percentage.
Relationship with the lock screen and notifications
AOD is the step prior to the full lock screen: it informs and suggests, but does not invade. When you touch or pick up the phone, the transition to the full lockscreen is natural., where you can now interact in more depth if you need to.
Remember that the content of the notices is not displayed in AOD, only the icons. This protects your privacy while keeping you informed. whether something important has arrived that is worth unlocking.
When to avoid always-on mode
If you spend long hours with your phone resting face up and don't need to check anything, an on-demand mode might be worth it. Press on display prevents the screen from being on unintentionally. and reduces residual consumption to almost zero when you are not looking at your phone.
At night, unless you use your phone as a bedside clock, time-slot scheduling takes one worry away. Turn it off at dawn and gain extra autonomy for the next day. without sacrificing comfort during the day.
What brands are included and how the layers vary
Always-on mode has spread across Android to various manufacturers. Sometimes it appears with names like Active Mode or Ambient Mode, but the idea is the same: to provide discreet, low-power information on OLED or AMOLED displays.
Menu paths and depth of customization vary between layers, but the cornerstones remain: enabling, choosing when to display, and adjusting the clock style. If you are coming from another manufacturer, the steps will be similar within Settings and Lock Screen, with nuances depending on the layer.
Quick solution to doubts
You don't see Always On Display in Settings. Check if your panel is OLED or AMOLED and check Lock Screen or Display, since some layers change the name of the section.
The changes do not apply to AOD. Set the clock from the lock screen editor and confirm with Done, so that both the lockscreen and AOD adopt the same style.
Consumption rises more than expected. Reduce widgets, use Automatic or schedule schedules, and avoid backgrounds that reduce readability., which will lead you to consult it less often and save you even more.
Some menus have changed after the update. Explore Always On Display and the lock screen as Samsung rearranges options between versionsIf a particular feature is no longer available, try to replicate it with available alternatives.
With all this, you now have a clear map for activating and adjusting the always-on display to your liking. Between display modes, clock style, widgets and automations, you can combine comfort, aesthetics and autonomy so that AOD is a real help and not just another decoration. Share this guide and more users will know how to customize the Always On Display feature..
