The Always On Display clock on Samsung Galaxy phones is one of those tiny features that quietly becomes part of your daily routine. You glance at your phone on the desk, the nightstand, the kitchen counter, orlet’s be honestthe couch cushion where it mysteriously disappears every 14 minutes, and there it is: the time, date, battery level, and sometimes notifications, all without waking the full screen.
But what happens when that clock looks too plain, too large, too tiny, too bright, too boring, or simply not “you”? Good news: Samsung gives Galaxy users several ways to customize the Always On Display, especially on newer One UI versions. Depending on your phone model and software version, you can change the clock style, color, layout, font, image, display mode, and even use Samsung’s Good Lock tools for deeper customization.
This guide walks you through how to change the Always On Display clock on Samsung Galaxy, what to do if the settings look different, how One UI 6.1 and newer versions changed the AOD experience, and how to troubleshoot the most common problems. No tech wizard robe required.
What Is the Samsung Always On Display Clock?
Always On Display, often shortened to AOD, is a Samsung Galaxy feature that shows useful information while your screen is off. Instead of pressing the Power button every time you want to check the time, your phone can show a low-power clock screen. Depending on your settings, it may also show the date, notification icons, battery percentage, music information, widgets, and other lock screen elements.
On many Galaxy phones, AOD is connected closely with the Lock screen. That connection has become even stronger in recent One UI updates. In older versions, users often found a separate “Clock style” option inside the Always On Display settings. On newer versions, especially after One UI 6.1, Samsung integrated the AOD clock more tightly with the Lock screen clock. That means you may need to edit the Lock screen clock to change what appears on the Always On Display.
In plain English: if you cannot find the old AOD clock menu, your phone is not broken. Samsung just rearranged the furniture again.
How to Change the Always On Display Clock on Samsung Galaxy
The easiest way to change your AOD clock is through the Lock screen customization screen. This method works on many recent Samsung Galaxy phones running modern One UI versions.
Method 1: Change the AOD Clock from the Lock Screen
- Lock your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Press the Power button or tap the screen to wake the Lock screen.
- Touch and hold an empty area on the Lock screen.
- Unlock with your PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition if asked.
- Tap the clock area.
- Choose a new clock style, font, size, or color.
- Tap Done to save your changes.
Once saved, your Lock screen clock style may also influence the Always On Display clock, depending on your Galaxy model and One UI version. This is especially common on newer Samsung devices where the AOD and Lock screen are designed to transition smoothly into each other.
Method 2: Change the AOD Clock Through Settings
Some Galaxy phones still offer AOD customization directly inside Settings. Try this path first if you prefer using the Settings app:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Lock screen and AOD or Lock screen.
- Select Always On Display.
- Turn on Always On Display if it is disabled.
- Look for Clock style, Edit Lock screen, or a similar customization option.
- Pick your preferred clock design, color, or layout.
- Tap Done or Apply.
The exact menu names may vary. On some Galaxy phones, the path is Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display. On newer Galaxy models, you may see Settings > Lock screen and AOD. Samsung likes to keep us alert, apparently.
How to Turn On Always On Display Before Changing the Clock
If you cannot customize the AOD clock, the feature may simply be turned off. Before you go hunting through menus like a detective in a tiny digital trench coat, make sure Always On Display is enabled.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Lock screen and AOD or Lock screen.
- Tap Always On Display.
- Switch it On.
You can also search for it directly. Open Settings and type Always On Display into the search bar. This is often faster than scrolling through menus, especially if your Settings app has become a maze of modern convenience.
Choose When the Always On Display Clock Appears
Customizing the clock style is only half the fun. You can also control when the AOD clock shows up. Samsung usually gives you several display modes, though availability depends on your device and software version.
Tap to Show
With Tap to show, the Always On Display appears for a few seconds after you tap the screen. This is a great option if you want quick access to the clock without using extra battery all day.
Show Always
Show always keeps the AOD clock visible whenever the phone is locked. This is the classic Always On Display experience. It is convenient on a desk, bedside table, or wireless charging stand, but it may use more battery than limited display modes.
Show as Scheduled
Show as scheduled lets you set a start and end time. For example, you might show the AOD clock from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and keep it off overnight. This is useful if you do not want a glowing clock staring at you while you are trying to sleep.
Show for New Notifications
Show for new notifications displays the AOD only when notifications arrive. This is a practical middle ground for people who want useful alerts but do not need a permanent clock on the screen.
How to Change the AOD Clock Color
To change the color of your Samsung Always On Display clock, open the Lock screen editor and tap the clock. Most compatible Galaxy phones will show color options below the clock style choices. Pick a color that looks clear against your wallpaper and tap Done.
A quick design tip: choose contrast over cuteness. A pale yellow clock on a bright wallpaper may look trendy for three seconds, then become unreadable. Dark backgrounds usually work well with brighter clock colors, while lighter backgrounds need darker or bolder clock shades.
How to Change the AOD Clock Size and Position
On supported Galaxy phones, you can resize or reposition the clock from the Lock screen editing panel. Touch and hold the Lock screen, tap the clock, and look for drag handles, size controls, or layout options. Some One UI versions let you move the clock around the Lock screen, while others offer preset clock layouts.
If your phone does not allow full movement from the built-in settings, Samsung’s Good Lock app may unlock more advanced layout controls. More on that shortly.
Why You May Not See the Old “AOD Clock Style” Option
If you watched an older tutorial and it told you to double tap the AOD clock or open a dedicated AOD clock style menu, you may discover that your Galaxy phone no longer behaves that way. This is especially common after newer One UI updates.
In recent Samsung software, the Lock screen and Always On Display are more unified. The goal is to make the clock look consistent as the phone moves from the dim AOD screen to the full Lock screen. Because of this, some older AOD-only options were moved, renamed, or merged into Lock screen customization.
So if double tapping the AOD clock does nothing, do not panic. Use the Lock screen editor instead:
- Wake the Lock screen.
- Touch and hold the Lock screen.
- Unlock if prompted.
- Tap the clock.
- Edit the clock style, font, and color.
Use Good Lock for More AOD Clock Customization
If the built-in Samsung settings are not enough, try Good Lock. Good Lock is Samsung’s official customization app, available in supported regions through the Galaxy Store. It includes modules that can customize the Lock screen, Always On Display, clock faces, quick panel, navigation, and more.
For AOD clock customization, the most useful Good Lock modules are usually LockStar and ClockFace.
How to Use Good Lock for AOD Clock Styles
- Open the Galaxy Store.
- Search for Good Lock.
- Install and open Good Lock.
- Install the LockStar module if available.
- Install ClockFace if you want more clock designs.
- Open the module and select your Lock screen or AOD customization options.
- Choose a clock style, layout, or design.
- Save your changes.
Good Lock is especially helpful if you want a more personalized Samsung Galaxy AOD clock, such as a different clock face, unusual layout, or more flexible positioning. Availability varies by country, carrier, phone model, and software version, so if you cannot find it, your device may not support it officially.
Can You Add Images, GIFs, or Stickers to Always On Display?
Some Samsung Galaxy phones allow extra visual elements on the Always On Display, such as stickers, images, emojis, or GIF-style visuals. These options depend heavily on your phone model and One UI version.
If available, you may find them in one of these areas:
- Settings > Lock screen and AOD
- Wallpaper and style
- Lock screen editor
- Good Lock > LockStar
- Good Lock > ClockFace
Keep the design simple. AOD is meant to be glanceable. If your clock screen looks like a tiny nightclub flyer, it may be fun, but it may not be very useful.
Best AOD Clock Settings for Different Situations
Best for Battery Life
Choose Tap to show or Show for new notifications. Use a simple clock style with minimal graphics. Avoid bright, large, image-heavy AOD designs if battery life matters most.
Best for a Desk Setup
Choose Show always and use a large digital clock. This makes your Galaxy phone feel like a mini desk clock, especially on a wireless charging stand.
Best for Bedside Use
Use Show as scheduled or Tap to show. Pick a dim clock color and avoid bright whites. Your future sleepy self will thank you at 3:17 a.m.
Best for Style
Use the Lock screen editor or Good Lock’s ClockFace module. Match the clock font and color with your wallpaper. A bold clock over a clean wallpaper usually looks better than a busy clock over a busy photo.
Troubleshooting: Always On Display Clock Not Changing
If your Samsung Galaxy AOD clock refuses to change, try these fixes.
1. Check Your One UI Version
Go to Settings > About phone > Software information. Your available AOD options depend on the One UI version. A tutorial made for One UI 5 may not match One UI 6.1, One UI 7, or One UI 8.
2. Edit the Lock Screen Instead of AOD
On newer Samsung software, the clock style may be controlled from the Lock screen editor rather than the AOD menu. Touch and hold the Lock screen, tap the clock, and edit it there.
3. Turn Off Power Saving Mode
Power Saving mode can disable or limit Always On Display. Go to Settings > Battery and check whether Power Saving is enabled. If AOD is grayed out, battery settings are one of the first places to look.
4. Update Good Lock and LockStar
If you use Good Lock, open the Galaxy Store and update Good Lock, LockStar, and ClockFace. Outdated customization modules can cause missing or broken clock features, especially after major One UI updates.
5. Restart Your Phone
It sounds basic because it is basicand it works more often than anyone wants to admit. Restart your Galaxy phone after changing AOD settings, especially if the clock preview changes but the actual Always On Display does not.
6. Check for Software Updates
Open Settings > Software update > Download and install. Samsung often fixes interface bugs and feature issues through updates.
Does Changing the Always On Display Clock Use More Battery?
Changing the clock style itself usually has a small effect. The bigger battery factors are how long AOD stays visible, how bright it appears, whether it uses extra graphics, and whether your phone shows it constantly.
For the best balance, use a simple clock style and set AOD to Tap to show or Show for new notifications. If you love having the clock visible all day, Show always is convenient, but expect it to use more battery than limited modes.
Common Questions About Changing the Samsung AOD Clock
Can I make the Always On Display clock bigger?
On many Galaxy phones, yes. Open the Lock screen editor, tap the clock, and look for size or style options. If built-in controls are limited, try Good Lock with LockStar or ClockFace.
Can I change the AOD clock font?
Yes, on supported One UI versions. Touch and hold the Lock screen, tap the clock, and check the font options. Some advanced clock fonts may require Good Lock.
Why is my AOD clock color different from my Lock screen clock?
Samsung may adjust AOD colors for visibility and low-power display behavior. If the color looks different, edit the Lock screen clock color and test it again on AOD.
Can I remove the clock from Always On Display?
Some models and Good Lock setups may allow a minimal AOD layout, but Samsung usually designs AOD around time and status information. If you want less on-screen information, choose Tap to show or turn AOD off.
Why is Always On Display missing on my Samsung phone?
Not every Galaxy model has the same AOD support. Some budget models, older phones, carrier variants, or software builds may have limited options. Power Saving mode can also hide or disable AOD settings.
Personal Experience: What Actually Works Best When Customizing the Samsung AOD Clock
After experimenting with Samsung’s Always On Display clock across different Galaxy phones, one lesson becomes clear very quickly: the best AOD setup is not always the fanciest one. It is the one you can read instantly. A clock that looks amazing in the preview window can become annoying if it is too thin, too dim, too bright, or hidden inside a wallpaper with too much visual noise.
The most practical setup for everyday use is usually a clean digital clock with strong contrast. A simple white or light gray clock on a dark background is easy to read on a desk, in a car mount, or beside the bed. If you use a colorful wallpaper, it is worth spending an extra minute checking how the clock looks when the screen is actually locked. The preview is helpful, but the real test is whether you can read the time in one lazy glance.
For people who work at a desk, Show always can be surprisingly useful. Your Galaxy phone becomes a small clock, notification board, and battery monitor. Put it on a wireless charger and it feels almost like a tiny smart display. The downside is battery use, especially if you are away from a charger. That is why many users eventually settle on Tap to show. It keeps the feature available without making the screen glow all day.
For nighttime, less is more. A bright Always On Display clock may seem harmless until it lights up the room like a very judgmental digital moon. A dimmer color, scheduled AOD, or Tap to show mode is usually better for sleep. If you keep your phone on a nightstand, try scheduling AOD to turn off during your usual sleeping hours. You still get the feature during the day, but your bedroom stays darker at night.
Good Lock is worth trying if you enjoy customization. LockStar and ClockFace can make your Galaxy feel more personal, especially if the default clock choices feel too limited. However, it is easy to overdo it. A stylish AOD should still be readable. The clock is not applying for an art-school scholarship; it just needs to tell you whether you are late.
Another useful habit is to revisit your AOD settings after major Samsung updates. One UI updates sometimes move options, merge menus, or change how the Lock screen and AOD interact. If your old clock style disappears or behaves differently, check the Lock screen editor first. Many “missing” AOD settings are not truly gonethey have simply moved into the newer Lock screen customization flow.
The best overall recommendation is this: start simple, then customize gradually. Turn on Always On Display, choose when it appears, pick a readable clock, and live with it for a day. If it feels too bright, adjust the color. If it drains more battery than expected, switch from Show always to Tap to show. If it looks boring, try Good Lock. That approach gives you a Samsung Galaxy AOD clock that looks good, works well, and does not require you to become a part-time phone settings archaeologist.
Conclusion
Changing the Always On Display clock on a Samsung Galaxy is usually simple once you know where Samsung placed the controls. On newer One UI versions, the best place to start is the Lock screen editor: touch and hold the Lock screen, tap the clock, choose your style, and save. If your device still has direct AOD clock settings, you can customize it through Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Always On Display.
For deeper customization, Samsung Good Lock offers more creative options through modules like LockStar and ClockFace. Just remember that the best AOD clock is not the most complicated oneit is the one you can read quickly, comfortably, and without turning your battery into a disappearing magic trick.
Note: Menu names and available Always On Display options can vary by Samsung Galaxy model, carrier, region, and One UI version. If your phone does not match one path exactly, use the Settings search bar and look for “Always On Display,” “Lock screen,” “Clock style,” or “Good Lock.”
