Samsung’s One UI 7 update adds a useful new function to your lock screen. Called Now Bar, It’s a pill-shaped bar at the bottom of the screen, displaying ongoing activities and relevant information from various apps. Now, just days before the Galaxy S25 reaches customers, Google has updated Google Maps to integrate with Now Bar, enhancing navigation convenience on Samsung devices.
Now Bar on One UI 7 can show route information from Google Maps
During the Galaxy S25 launch last week, Samsung revealed that Now Bar will show route information from Google Maps. However, the feature wasn’t available at the time — demo units at the event and retail stores, as well as review units, all lacked this ability. A recent update for Google Maps finally adds this function, a timely update as early Galaxy S25 pre-orders start reaching customers.
First spotted by X user @tarunvats33, version 25.04.01.717254420 of Google Maps for Android is rolling out with Now Bar integration on Galaxy devices. The new function works on both Galaxy S25 and S24 units running One UI 7 — the new version is available in beta for the 2024 flagship line in some countries. Google Maps route information also appears in the top Live Activities bar.
Now Bar already integrates a bunch of other Samsung and Google apps, including Samsung Health, Samsung Notes, Voice Recorder, Interpreter, Google, Clock, and Bixby. You get live information from these apps directly on your lock screen. Now Bar even works on the AOD screen, letting you quickly check out important information when your phone is in sleep mode, without waking it up or unlocking it.
The One UI 7 update should bring Now Bar to more Galaxy phones. However, it may not be compatible with mid-range devices, or even the Fan Edition (FE) lineup. These phones have their under-display optical fingerprint scanner very low on the screen, at the same place where Now Bar appears. Samsung could reposition Now Bar a little high, but whether it does that remains to be seen.