How to customise the Always On Display on a Samsung Galaxy

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Lock screen and AOD

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Lock screen and AOD

   Open Settings and tap Lock screen and AOD.

   Done

2. 

   Tap the words Always On Display

   Tapping the switch only turns it on or off. Tap the name to open its settings.

   Done

3. 

   Choose when to show it

   Tap When to show. Ours was set to Tap to show, which lights the display for a short time when you tap the screen. Samsung also lists Auto, Always, As scheduled and For new notifications.

   Done

4. 

   Switch the Now bar on or off

   The Now bar shows live activities such as a timer or music at the bottom of the display. It was on on our phone.

   Done

5. 

   Change the clock in the lock screen editor

   Samsung says the AOD uses the same clock style as the lock screen, and our preview matched. Go back, tap Edit Lock screen, then tap the clock to pick another style or colour, and tap Done.

   Done

About this guide

The Always On Display shows the time and notifications on a dark screen while the phone is locked. One UI 8 keeps only a few options on its own page; the clock comes from the lock screen.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

Good to know

To switch the Always On Display off completely: how to turn Always On Display on or off on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Always uses more battery than Tap to show, because the display stays lit.

In short: Settings, Lock screen and AOD, tap Always On Display: When to show, Show Now bar. Clock: Edit Lock screen.