Samsung’s Now Bar Gets Smarter, Will Manage Your Alarms in One UI 8.5

Samsung is upgrading its handy Now Bar feature. The tool will soon work directly with your phone’s alarms. This update is coming with the future One UI 8.5 software.

The change means alarm information will appear in the Now Bar’s live feed. This includes both upcoming and snoozed alarms. It is part of Samsung’s plan to make the feature more useful across different apps.

How the New Alarm Integration Will Work for Users

The feature will display alarm details on your lock screen. It appears as a compact, pill-shaped element. Tapping it expands to show more information.

You can also see it on the Always-On Display. A small version even shows on the status bar. This gives users multiple ways to check their next alarm quickly.

The update builds on existing timer and stopwatch support. According to Reuters, such software integrations are key for user retention. Samsung is clearly focusing on practical, daily convenience.

A Broader Push for Smarter Notifications

This move aligns with a larger industry trend. Companies are streamlining notifications to reduce screen clutter. The Now Bar acts as a unified hub for live information.

With One UI 8.0, it integrated with Android‘s native Live Updates. That allowed support for third-party apps like ride-sharing services. The alarm feature is the next logical step in this expansion.

For consumers, it means less digging through apps. Important time-sensitive info pops up proactively. This can help people stay on schedule with minimal effort.

The upgrade to Samsung Now Bar shows the company’s commitment to refining core user experiences. This small but thoughtful change could make a big difference in daily phone use.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What is the Samsung Now Bar?

It is a floating notification element on Galaxy phones. It shows live updates for timers, rides, deliveries, and now alarms. The bar appears on the lock screen, AOD, and status bar.

Which phones will get the alarm feature?

The feature is planned for release with One UI 8.5. It will likely roll out to recent mid-range and flagship Galaxy models. An official compatibility list is expected closer to launch.

Can I turn the Now Bar off?

Yes, users typically have control over such features. You can likely disable it in your phone’s settings under ‘Notifications’ or ‘Lock Screen’ options. This has been the case for similar Samsung features in the past.

Does this work with third-party alarm apps?

The initial information specifies integration with Samsung’s Clock app. Support for popular third-party alarm apps may come later. It depends on further software development and Android’s Live Updates API.

When will One UI 8.5 be released?

An exact public release date has not been announced. Based on Samsung’s typical schedule, a beta could start in mid-2025. The stable version often follows a few months after the beta testing phase.