How to Set Up and Use the Galaxy S25’s Now Bar for Smart Notifications at a Glance (US)

If you’ve got your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S25 and you’re tired of digging through a dozen apps just to stay in the loop, then the Now Bar for Smart Notifications might just become your new favorite feature. Think of it as a personal assistant living right on your lock screen.

It gives you instant updates on things like your calendar, sports scores, directions, weather, and more — no unlocking, no swiping around, just glance-and-go info.

The best part? The Now Bar for Smart Notifications is fully customizable. Want your team’s score front and center? Done. Need to keep track of your next meeting or how long that Uber is going to take? Easy. You control what shows up and when — making the Galaxy S25’s lock screen work harder so you don’t have to.

So if you’re ready to stop tapping and start glancing, it’s time to set up the Now Bar for Smart Notifications and level up your daily flow. Let’s walk through how to get started — bonus points if you manage it without breaking into a tech-happy dance.

What Is the Now Bar?

Imagine your lock screen transformed from a static “slide to unlock” snoozefest into a dynamic, information-packed dashboard. The Now Bar is a smart widget displayed on your Galaxy S25’s lock or Always On Display (AOD) screen that summarizes your important alerts and live updates — no unlocking or digging around required.

Think: game scores from your favorite team, traffic updates for your commute, calendar reminders, or even the next stop on your directions popping right up for you to eyeball at a glance.

How to Use the Galaxy S25’s Now Bar for Smart Notifications

Step 1: Enabling the Now Bar on Your Galaxy S25

Before we get fancy with customization, let’s get that Now Bar rolling.

1. Wake your phone — or better yet, glance at it with the Raise to Wake feature.
2. Go to Settings: Swipe down and tap the gear icon or search “Now Bar” in the Settings search bar (because who doesn’t love shortcuts?).
3. Find Lock Screen Settings: Scroll or search for Lock Screen on that menu.
4. Tap on “Notifications” or “Widgets” (depending on your One UI version).
5. Look for “Now Bar” or “Smart Lock Screen Widgets” and toggle it ON.
   Sometimes it might be under Always On Display > Widgets if you want it visible while the phone is locked but the screen is dimmed.
6. Grant Permissions: The Now Bar needs access to your calendar, location, sports apps, and so on, so allow it to pull all that juicy data.

Step 2: Customizing Your Now Bar — Pick Your Life’s Highlights

This is where the Now Bar gets personal — like your coffee order but with less foam art.

• Select the types of notifications you want: Maybe sports scores? Yes. Next meeting alert? Absolutely. Directions for your afternoon route? Heck yes.
• Choose your favorite sports teams: This will keep your bar pinging you with real-time game updates. Perfect if you’re a secret sports nerd pretending to work.
• Set priority notifications: For example, want calendar reminders to jump up before texts? You got it.
• Enable location-based alerts: Your phone smartly shows traffic updates or directions only when relevant. No annoying detours unless you want them.
• Choose display style: Minimalist? Info-packed? You can tweak how much or little detail the Now Bar shows.

Step 3: Using the Now Bar Like a Pro

Once active, your Now Bar becomes a glanceable dashboard. Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Glance to Check: Wake your phone or glance at your Always On Display and instantly see live info — no need to unlock or open apps.
• Tap for Details: Tap any widget on the Now Bar to jump straight into the relevant app. Want to see full calendar details? Done. Need to dive into that traffic jam? One tap and you’re navigating away from frustration.
• Swipe Through Widgets: If you have multiple notifications, swipe left or right on the Now Bar to loop through items like a pro multitasker.
• Use “Smart Replies” in Messages or Emails: Depending on your setup, the Now Bar can give you quick response buttons — text back “On my way” with a tap? Yes, please.

Bonus Tips and Tricks for Maximum Now Bar Nirvana

• Pair it with Bixby Routines: Automate your Now Bar notifications based on your schedule or location. Afternoon meetings trigger your calendar, morning commutes pop up traffic alerts, etc.
• Keep your apps updated: The Now Bar leverages data from apps like your calendar, sports feeds, and maps, so keep them fresh for the best info.
• Don’t Overload: While it’s tempting to get all the notifications, too much can be overwhelming. Prioritize wisely to keep it sleek and useful.
• Wearable Sync: If you’re rocking a Galaxy Watch, many Now Bar notifications also show there — a double whammy of convenience.
• Use Dark Mode: Now Bar respects your device’s theme, so going dark makes the information glow gently without blinding you at night.

Why Tech Enthusiasts Love the Now Bar

• Saves time: No more digging through apps or unlocking your phone just to check if your team scored one more point.
• Boosts productivity: Instant glance at your upcoming agenda or commute can keep your day on track.
• Customizable and smart: It gives you the right info at the right time, intelligently adapting to your habits.
• One UI magic: Another example of how Samsung cleverly blends power with simplicity.

Conclusion

There you have it! The Now Bar for Smart Notifications completely transforms your Galaxy S25’s lock screen from something plain into a sleek, information-rich hub. Whether you’re checking the weather, calendar events, or quick updates, the Now Bar for Smart Notifications keeps everything right where you need it — no unlocking required.

It’s easy to set up, fun to customize, and once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without the Now Bar for Smart Notifications.