Samsung is enhancing its Now Bar feature for Galaxy smartphones, aiming to provide real-time information directly on the lock screen. Similar in concept to Apple’s Dynamic Island and Live Activities, the Now Bar is receiving a significant update focused on third-party app integration. Currently limited to select Samsung and music apps, the Now Bar’s potential is being unlocked through partnerships with developers, starting with a pilot program in South Korea.
Samsung’s strategy involves collaborating with popular local apps to expand the Now Bar’s capabilities. One key partnership is with Kakao T, South Korea’s leading ride-hailing service. This integration will allow users to track ride arrival times, estimated time to destination, and rental durations directly on their lock screen without unlocking their device. This mirrors the functionality offered by Uber on Apple’s Dynamic Island.
Live Activities in Apple Sports Joe Maring / MaagX
Another notable collaboration is with Naver, South Korea’s primary search engine. By linking their Naver Sports accounts, users can view real-time scores and updates for their favorite teams directly on the Now Bar, encompassing sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. These local partnerships pave the way for future integration with globally popular apps.
Samsung is reportedly adapting 11 additional local apps for the Now Bar, although specific details remain undisclosed. The company is also working to incorporate its “Cross App Action” (Seamless Actions) feature, enabling voice commands through Bixby or Google Gemini to execute multiple functions across various apps.
Beyond the Korean market, Samsung has been observed testing Now Bar integration with apps like Google Maps. The company might also leverage its Good Lock app to allow users to personalize the Now Bar’s appearance and potentially integrate unsupported apps. Currently, the Now Bar, a component of Samsung’s One UI 7 software and Galaxy AI suite, is available on the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, and Galaxy A56, as well as some older Galaxy devices via the One UI 7 update.
Samsung’s expansion of Now Bar functionality through third-party app integration signifies a commitment to enhancing user experience and providing convenient access to real-time information. By leveraging partnerships and exploring further customization options, Samsung is poised to transform the Now Bar into a powerful and versatile tool for Galaxy users worldwide.
