Summary
- Samsung improved the Now Bar in One UI 8 with live alerts for calls and do-not-disturb controls.
- Users can now see phone calls, check DND schedules, or even turn off do-not-disturb mode from the Now Bar.
- I hope Android 16 ushers in new Now Bar features, like live update notifications and third-party app support.
Samsung’s new One UI 8 beta (based on Android 16) has a lot to offer, especially on the Galaxy S25 series. While things are still early with this preview of the next version of Android, the “Now Bar” just got even better. Even with two new features, though, I still want more.
When the Now Bar first arrived in One UI 7, many users felt it wasn’t very useful. It’s essentially a small widget at the bottom of the screen that can display select information from apps and some live content like sports scores and maps navigation. I said it’s the sports feature I’ve been waiting for, and I stand by that.
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Samsung’s Now Bar Gets More Useful
The Now Bar supports a small list of apps and can display live information, like sports scores from Google. Samsung added several features during the One UI 7 beta, removed a few, and then gave us a few more with the official release. Since then, the company has continued to fine-tune the experience gradually.
Along with sports scores from Google, the Now Bar can display Samsung health info, emergency alerts, Samsung notes, the media player, map navigation instructions, remote controls, and more. Most of that appears at the bottom middle of the screen, but it’ll also populate much of that info in the notification shade.
In the first Samsung Galaxy One UI 8 beta, Samsung added two more useful features for the Now Bar. While they’re small, this is a sign that the company is still working to integrate new controls and features.
Samsung’s Now Bar will give you a live alert during an incoming or outgoing phone call. You’ll see it on the lock screen, although the regular “Call” notification is still present, so it’s technically a duplicate. However, I’m starting to look down at the Now Bar more than ever, so it makes sense to put calls down there, too.
Additionally, you’ll see information like Do-not-disturb in the Now Bar. For DND, it’ll show how long it’s scheduled to keep your phone quiet, and you can even tap to expand the Now Bar into a bigger pop-up window for more Do-not-disturb info. As you can see in my screenshot, on One UI 8, it displays if calls are allowed, it’ll display the schedule if one is set, and you can even turn off DND right from the Now Bar. Again, this isn’t revolutionary, but with each new update, things improve. It’s the little things!
I Want More From the Now Bar
Thanks to One UI 8 leaks, we knew some of these changes were coming, but I have a feeling more are on the way. We’re still only on the first One UI 8 beta, and Samsung will likely continue to refine the experience ahead of the global launch later this summer or early fall. Well, at least I hope so.
The Now Bar has a lot of promise, and it’s pretty great already, but it’s far from perfect. We have this constantly updated mini widget of sorts that can share everything from incoming calls to DND details, sports scores, and turn-by-turn navigation directions all in one place, but we have no control over it. But imagine if third-party apps could access the Now Bar.
If Samsung really wants the Now Bar to be a headline feature on its Galaxy phones and upcoming One UI software updates, it needs to unleash it on developers. We’ve heard rumors that Samsung plans to “add more third-party apps” to the Now Bar, but the company is still in control. As a result, new features or any real development are extremely slow.
I’d love to see Uber updates in the Now Bar, track a food delivery, or add other sports apps like ESPN Fantasy Football to my Now Bar. Wouldn’t that be great? If there’s a silver lining, Android 16 will finally add live update notifications to our phones. These notifications should enable the Now Bar to give us “live update notifications” for things like an Uber. Well, only if Samsung decides to take advantage of it.
Better yet, Samsung could add a settings menu and customization options to the Now Bar. This would give us an area where we can fine-tune the experience to fit our individual needs. All I want are more sports scores that I can customize, live notification updates, and third-party app integration. Is that too much to ask?
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