Samsung Always On Display on Any Android

Want the Samsung Always On Display (AOD) look on any Android phone? This guide shows you how to get a similar always-on clock, date, and notification glance without buying a Galaxy. You’ll use a free app called Always On AMOLED, which mimics Samsung’s AOD closely, and we’ll walk through setup, customization, and fixing common issues.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone running Android 7.0 or newer (most modern phones work).
About 10 minutes of time.
Optional: A screen protector that doesn’t interfere with touch (not required, but helps).
Note: This method uses a third-party app, not a system feature. It works by drawing over other apps and using your phone’s ambient display sensor.

Step-by-Step

Install the app. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for “Always On AMOLED”. Look for the app by developer “Kieron Quinn” (it’s the most popular one). Tap Install and wait for it to download.
Open the app. After installation, tap Open. You’ll see a welcome screen explaining what the app does. Tap “Get Started” or “Next” to proceed.
Grant the required permissions. The app needs two permissions:
- Notification access: This lets the app show your notifications on the always-on display. When prompted, tap “Allow” and then toggle on the switch for Always On AMOLED in the notification access settings.
- Overlay permission: This lets the app draw over other apps (like your launcher). When prompted, tap “Allow” and then find Always On AMOLED in the list of apps that can draw over other apps, and toggle it on.
Enable the service. Back in the app, you’ll see a toggle at the top labeled “Enable Always On Display” or similar. Turn it on. The app will now start showing a clock and date on your screen when you lock your phone or when the screen times out.
Customize the look. Tap on “Clock” or “Style” in the app’s menu. You’ll see several clock styles, including digital, analog, and even ones that look like Samsung’s default. Choose one you like. You can also adjust the size and color of the clock.
Set the timeout (optional). By default, the AOD may stay on forever, which drains battery. Look for “Timeout” or “Auto-off” in the app’s settings. Set it to something like 10 seconds or 30 seconds, or choose “While charging” to keep it on only when plugged in.
Test it. Lock your phone and wait a few seconds. You should see the clock appear. If not, check the troubleshooting section below.

Common Mistakes

Not granting notification access: Without this, the app can’t show your messages or missed calls, and it may not work at all on some devices.
Battery drain: Leaving the AOD on 24/7 on an LCD screen (not AMOLED) will drain your battery fast. Use a short timeout or only enable it while charging.
Choosing a style that doesn’t match your screen: Some clock styles are designed for AMOLED screens (pure black background). On an LCD, they still work but use more battery.
Ignoring the “burn-in” risk: On older AMOLED screens, leaving a static image on for hours can cause burn-in. The app has a “Shift” or “Move” feature to prevent this—use it.

Tips

Use a dark wallpaper: The AOD looks best with a black or dark background. The app uses your wallpaper as the background for the AOD, so a dark one makes the clock pop and saves battery.
Set a schedule: In the app’s settings, you can set active hours (e.g., 8 AM to 11 PM) so the AOD doesn’t show while you sleep.
Use the “Peek” feature: Some versions have a “Peek” mode that shows the AOD only when you wave your hand over the proximity sensor or when you get a notification. This is a great battery saver.
Double-tap to wake: If your phone supports it, enable “Double-tap to wake” in your system settings so you can quickly check the AOD without pressing the power button.
Keep the app updated: The developer regularly adds new clock styles and fixes bugs, so enable auto-update in the Play Store.

Troubleshooting

The AOD doesn’t appear when I lock my phone.

Make sure the app is enabled (toggle is on) and that you’ve granted both permissions.
Check if your phone’s battery saver mode is blocking background activity. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization, find Always On AMOLED, and set it to “Don’t optimize”.
On some phones (like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo), you need to allow the app to auto-start. Go to Settings > Apps > Always On AMOLED > Auto-start and enable it.

The AOD shows but disappears after a few seconds.

This is likely the timeout setting. Go to the app’s settings and increase the timeout, or set it to “While charging” if you want it to stay on.

Notifications aren’t showing on the AOD.

Re-check notification access: Go to Settings > Apps > Always On AMOLED > Permissions > Notification access. Make sure it’s enabled.
Also check that the app has permission to see your notifications. In the same permissions menu, ensure “Notifications” is allowed.

The AOD is causing battery drain.

As mentioned, reduce the timeout, use a dark wallpaper, and enable the “Shift” feature to prevent burn-in (which also helps battery).
If your phone has an LCD screen, consider using the AOD only while charging.

The clock is too big or too small.

In the app’s customization settings, look for “Clock size” or “Scale” and adjust it to your liking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this work on any Android phone?
Yes, as long as your phone runs Android 7.0 or later. It works on Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and most other brands.

Q: Does this drain my battery?
It can, especially on LCD screens. On AMOLED screens, the black pixels are off, so it uses less power. Use a short timeout or the “Peek” mode to minimize drain.

Q: Is this the same as Samsung’s actual Always On Display?
It looks very similar, but it’s not identical. Samsung’s AOD is integrated into the system, so it’s more battery-efficient and supports some extra features like music controls. This app mimics the look and basic functionality.

Q: Can I show my own image on the AOD?
Yes, the app allows you to set a custom background image, which can be your own photo or a downloaded image.

Q: Will this cause screen burn-in?
On AMOLED screens, yes, if you leave a static image on for many hours. The app has a “Shift” feature that moves the clock slightly to prevent this. Enable it.

Q: Do I need root access?
No, the app works without root. It only needs notification access and overlay permission.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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