Have you just gotten your new shiny Samsung Galaxy S25 series and you were excited about the Now Bar AI feature... only to be confused on how to benefit from it?
We were as confused when we first learned about and tried to use it. Safe to say that the Now Bar requires some 'prep'. Here's how to fully utilise it.
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
What is "Now Bar"?
First introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, this is an AI-driven feature that acts as a proactive, context-aware suggestion tool that works on your lock screen. On screen, it shows up as a "bar" at bottom-center.
Through your phone usage pattern, the Now Bar updates right onto your lock screen to guide you through your day. Say if you were looking at sports score for a football match, you can view the score without turning on your phone. Or maybe you have been checking out flight promos online. The Now Bar will suggest right before you even think about that.
In short, it's like a little assisstant that works to minimise distraction when you want to focus. It's a great nifty feature to have for productivity purposes.
How Does "Now Bar" Works?
Unlike notifications access from an app, Now Bar makes it more relevant for the alerts you get and know you want based on your phone usage pattern. You can also choose what appears on the Now Bar, such as Live Notification (game scores) or Music Controls.
As mentioned before, Galaxy AI will learn from your usage pattern such as what apps do you frequent, recent searches and such.
Say, you usually navigate via GPS at 8am on Weekdays. The Now Bar will alert you on traffic updates during such timings and scenarios. If you frequent the weather app during weekday evenings, the weather app via Now Brief on Now Bar will inform you at its own initiation.
Ways To Use "Now Bar"
It's easy to benefit from the Now Bar when you know what to expect out of it. While you can't play games on it like you would with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phones, you can at least zero-in on something so you never miss important info anymore.
Features include
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Live Notifications: Get real-time updates such as from a specific message chat room, certain emails and app alerts. This way, you can be notified without unlocking their device.
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Media Controls: Directly control music and video playback without switching to the app. You can play, pause, or skip tracks directly without unlocking the phone.
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Modes and Routines: Here, you can switch and customise settings or routines, Essentially, get seamless transitions between different modes like 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Driving Mode'.
How To Use "Now Bar"
There are unique ways to activate or use the Now Brief in different scenarios, which is useful for limited interaction with your phone such as when you are busy paying attention when walking on the streets or when you are in the middle of navigating while driving.
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Accessing the Now Bar: To use, simply wake the locked screen via double-tapping or press the power button. Then, swipe from bottom to upward to navigate through the available bars.
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Expanding the Now Bar: Tap on the Now Bar and get an expanded view for more details to a piece of information or additional controls.
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Customizing the Now Bar: Simply long press the Now Bar to access customisation options such as removing it from the lock screen or changing its settings.
Best Apps to Use With "Now Bar" by Galaxy AI
If you're still torn on how to fully appreciate the Now Bar, here's a list of what we'd do.
- Weather Update (via Now Brief) - This is especially useful in a country like Malaysia where the weather pattern, although considered consistent, is quite cumbersom especially when city areas are prone to floods. FYI the Now Brief is an AI planner that is capable of alerting and compiling your schedule ahead, so it's natural for the Weather app to be here too.
- Forex/Stocks - Whether you are an active stock player or you stick to Robo advisors, at least let Now Brief inform you via apps or market news on performance and such.
- Navigation App - If you live in a commonly congested area, you'll want to have the Now Brief alert you on traffic updates. You might just save some extra time travelling by leaving earlier based on Now Brief.
- Health Tracker - You can also easily glance at your steps or workout status via just the Now Bar, of course without bringing up the app!
- Live Interpreter Mode - Talking to and working with someone using a language you can't speak is cumbersome. Thankfully the Now Bar can help you keep track and tuck away the Interpreter Mode especially for meetings.
Intergrated into Samsung's One UI 7 devices, the Now Bar is an AI-first platform that's meant to personalize and ease your mobile experience. It is expected to be available to older Samsung Galaxy mobile models once they are eligible for the One UI 7 upgrade.
Want to know more? Check out other Samsung Unpacked 2025 products & prices here!