Samsung is giving its Now Bar a serious upgrade with the upcoming One UI 8 update, aiming to make the feature far more useful and widely adopted by the end of 2025. Initially launched with One UI 7.0 on Android 15, the Now Bar displays interactive cards on the lock screen for tasks like music playback or timers, offering a quick-glance interface without needing to unlock the phone.
However, the feature has faced criticism for limited third-party support-most compatible apps were made by Samsung. 
That’s about to change. According to Samsung’s official Galaxy Z Flip 7 “Device Experience Guide,” the number of supported apps will rise from 20 to 35 by year’s end. While specific apps weren’t named, this marks a strong push to broaden the Now Bar’s reach across more services and daily tasks.
One key enabler could be Android 16’s new standardized API, which allows apps to show real-time updates-like live deliveries or media playback-directly on the lock screen and status bar. While One UI 8 hasn’t implemented this API yet, doing so could unlock massive third-party integration potential for Now Bar in future updates.
Galaxy Z Flip users also get a notable bonus: With One UI 8, the Now Bar becomes fully interactive on both the main and cover displays. Previously, tapping a card on the cover screen simply launched the app; now, you can interact with these cards right from the outside screen. This change is especially welcome for users who prefer one-handed or folded-phone use.
Though the exact lineup of new supported apps remains unknown, it’s clear Samsung is investing in making the Now Bar a more central and powerful part of the Galaxy ecosystem. If it taps into Android’s native live update tools, the feature could evolve into a must-have for multitaskers and smart UI lovers alike.