Have you ever been in a situation where you just wanted a quick glance at what’s playing without unlocking your phone? Maybe during a meeting, on a bus ride, or while your phone is lying on the table at a café. That’s where the Always On Display (AOD) of the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in handy. With a subtle glow, it not only tells the time but can also show you music information. Yet, sometimes you may prefer a cleaner look, free from song titles flashing across your screen. The good news is—Samsung gives you the choice to either show or hide music info on the AOD, and it only takes a few taps.
Why This Feature Matters
The Galaxy S24’s AOD is designed for convenience. With it, you don’t have to wake the phone or open an app to see what track is playing. But personalization is key—some users want instant access to song information, while others value privacy and minimalism.
The design choice is not just about aesthetics but also battery life. Since the S24 uses an OLED panel, every pixel that lights up consumes power. The more details shown on the screen, the more energy it draws. Research by engineers at Purdue University (Dark et al., 2019) found that OLED displays save energy when fewer or darker pixels are used, though the savings depend heavily on brightness settings and usage patterns. This means that hiding unnecessary information on AOD can contribute to slightly longer battery endurance in everyday use.
What You Need Before You Start
Before diving into the steps, here are the prerequisites:
- A Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, or S24 Ultra
- One UI 6.1 or newer
- Always On Display turned on
- A music app that supports lock screen controls (Spotify, YouTube Music, Samsung Music, Apple Music, etc.)
If all these boxes are checked, you’re ready to customize.
How to Show or Hide Music Info on Always On Display
Method 1: Through Settings
- Open Settings.
- Go to Lock screen and AOD.
- Tap Always On Display.
- Scroll down and find Show music information.
- Toggle it On to display track details or Off to hide them.
- You can also adjust When to show (Always, Tap to show, or Scheduled) depending on your preference.
This path is the most reliable because it gives you full control over how and when music appears on your AOD.
Method 2: Quick Settings Shortcut
If you want a faster way:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to access Quick Settings.
- Long-press the Always On Display tile.
- Adjust the Show music information option directly.
Not every carrier or region shows this tile by default, but if it’s available, it saves time.
Method 3: Lock Screen Widget Adjustment
Sometimes users don’t see the option in AOD settings. If that happens:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Widgets.
- Enable Music.
- Then revisit Always On Display to ensure the info toggle appears.
This step ensures that the system recognizes music controls as active, which is necessary for metadata to show on AOD.
Fine-Tuning the Experience
Samsung also allows deeper customization:
- Minimal Look: If you want a distraction-free screen, disable the option and keep only the clock.
- Rich Display: If you enjoy seeing track names and artists without unlocking your phone, keep it enabled.
- Good Lock Customization: With Samsung’s Good Lock app (specifically the LockStar module), you can rearrange how widgets, including music info, appear on your AOD.
This flexibility means the Galaxy S24 doesn’t force one design on everyone—it adapts to your lifestyle.
Battery Considerations
One common question is whether showing music on AOD drains more battery. The short answer: yes, but only slightly. AOD itself consumes power since it keeps pixels lit even in standby. Adding dynamic text like song titles increases pixel usage, which can reduce idle time.
However, the effect is not dramatic for most users. A study by Purdue University demonstrated that OLED screens indeed use more energy for bright, high-content displays, while darker screens save energy (Dark et al., 2019). Similarly, tests on AOD behavior (DXOMARK, 2023) confirm that while it affects idle autonomy, the impact is manageable when brightness is moderate and AOD is scheduled wisely.
For best results:
- Use a dark wallpaper for AOD.
- Set AOD to Tap to show or schedule it for specific hours.
- Avoid maximum brightness in low-light environments.
These adjustments help balance convenience with endurance.
Troubleshooting When Music Doesn’t Appear
If music info isn’t showing despite toggling the settings:
- Confirm that AOD is enabled.
- Ensure the Music widget is turned on under Lock screen settings.
- Make sure your music app is updated and has permission to display on the lock screen.
- Disable Power saving mode, which can block AOD entirely.
- For Spotify users, enable Device Broadcast Status in settings to ensure track metadata syncs properly.
Restarting the phone after making these changes often resolves persistent issues.
Scientific Context
It’s worth noting that the conversation about AOD and battery life ties into broader research about OLED efficiency. Dark et al. (2019) at Purdue University showed that while dark mode does save energy on OLED, the savings are modest under indoor lighting conditions, typically around 3–9%. This suggests that AOD customization is more about user preference and usability than a massive impact on battery life. Still, small savings can add up over time.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S24 gives you the freedom to design your Always On Display experience. Whether you prefer a clean, clock-only view or the convenience of glancing at music info, the choice is entirely yours. With just a few quick steps, you can toggle this feature on or off, schedule it for when it matters, and even fine-tune how it looks. Combine that with some battery-smart practices, and you have a display that works for you, not against you.
The beauty of the S24 is not just in its hardware but in the control it offers users. AOD music info is a small detail, but it highlights how technology can adapt to personal rhythm—whether you’re in a quiet office or at a lively café, your phone reflects the way you live.
FAQs
1. Does AOD cause screen burn-in?
Samsung minimizes this risk by slightly shifting elements on the screen over time, preventing static images from burning into the OLED.
2. Can I control music directly from AOD?
Generally, AOD shows info only. For full controls (play, pause, skip), you’ll need to wake the lock screen.