Set up your phone’s always-on display so you can unlock it less often

How many times Do you think you check your phone daily?

The number is probably much higher than you imagine. Phones are always close at hand, providing instant access to the world, social media, and messages from friends and family. Even if you don’t get notifications, the temptation to scroll through an app or two is always there.

There are different ways to address this, from Mute notifications To keep some space between you and your device. But one easy way to make sure you’re checking your phone less is to do more with the lock screen on your phone.

You can fill your lock screen with a variety of alerts and updates that help you see what’s going on with just a quick glance. You won’t need to unlock your phone again and again, nor will you be tempted to check multiple apps every time you pick it up. Here’s what you can do with the major phone models.

Google Pixel phones

Most Android phones now offer Always On Display, including recent Google Pixel models. To customize what appears on the lock screen, go to Settings, then choose Display and touchAnd you will find Permanent display Option: Click this to find a toggle switch to enable or disable the feature.

Also on Display and touch menu, you can click Screen lock To configure what appears on the screen when your phone is locked. The main option you should be aware of here is Notifications on the lock screen: Click this to choose how notifications appear on the screen (full or as snippets) and to specify the types of alerts that appear.

Make sure you can see notifications on the lock screen.

Courtesy of David Nield

You can, for example, hide “sensitive” information from the lock screen, in case someone else takes a look at your phone – this basically just means notifications from messaging apps, which might include personal things that you want to make sure aren’t available to other people. (Remember that with the always-on display setting enabled, anyone around you can take a look at your lock screen.)

Another option you may want to enable on Screen lock The list is Widgets on the lock screen. This lets you set up widgets like the camera shortcut and weather forecast with a single tap on the lock screen – again saving you the hassle of having to unlock your phone and delve into specific apps.

Samsung Galaxy phones

On a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can access related options by opening the main Settings screen, then selecting Lock screen and AOD (Always on display). First of all make sure Always on display The toggle switch is turned on, and then click Now bar. This lock screen widget displays information such as sports scores and fitness statistics.

To control the notifications you see here, go back to the Settings page, then choose Notifications > Lock screen. maybe Show notificationsthen choose the alert style you want: cards It is the best to choose, if you want to have as much information as possible on the lock screen.