Transforms your lock screen into a customizable always-on hub for time, notifications, weather, and music
Transforms your lock screen into a customizable always-on hub for time, notifications, weather, and music
Vote (5 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Tomer Rosenfeld
Version 3.1.0
Works under Android
Also known as Always On AMOLED
Vote
(5 votes)
Developer
Tomer Rosenfeld
Works under
Android
Program license
Free
Version
3.1.0
Also known as
Always On AMOLED
Pros
- Highly customizable always on display with multiple clock styles, fonts, and AMOLED friendly wallpapers
- Shows time, date, notifications, and weather without waking the phone
- Useful extras like music controls, quick notes, and Always On Memo
- Smart behavior options such as pocket mode, Raise to Wake, auto night mode, and edge glow for new alerts
- Advanced integration with Tasker, Greenify, automatic rules, and doze support
Cons
- Clock face collection is limited and lacks support for third party designs
- Battery impact differs between users, with at least one reporting noticeable power usage
- Requires camera, phone, and system settings permissions, which may concern privacy minded users
Always On AMOLED is an Android app that turns your lock screen into an always on display with time, date, weather, notifications, and other glanceable details over a mostly black background. It suits people who keep their phone on a desk or nightstand and want constant access to key information without waking the device, as well as anyone whose phone lacks a built in always on display feature.
Everyday use: a glance friendly lock screen
The core idea is simple: your screen stays mostly dark, with just a small area lit to show a clock and icons, making it a natural fit for AMOLED panels. You can check the time, see which apps have sent notifications, and even view the current weather without touching the phone.
Quality of life touches help it feel practical in daily use. Pocket mode turns the display off when the phone is in your pocket, and a Raise to Wake option brings the information back when you pick the device up. Auto night mode dims the view in dark environments so it is not overly bright beside the bed. An edge glow effect around the screen highlights new notifications, which is especially handy if the phone is sitting a bit farther away.
Several wake gestures are supported, including double tap, swipe up, volume keys, or the back button, so you can return to the regular interface quickly when you need full access.
Customization, watch faces, and wallpapers
Always On AMOLED places strong emphasis on personalization. You can adjust fonts, pick from various clock layouts, and choose different lock screen clock styles. The app includes both digital and analog inspired watch faces, such as layouts reminiscent of S series clocks and Pebble style designs, plus a Classic 24 hour option.
Backgrounds and dedicated AMOLED wallpapers add another layer of style if you do not want a plain black canvas. Combined with the clock styles and fonts, this allows you to create a look that matches your taste, whether you prefer something minimal or a more expressive design.
One limitation appears in the range of faces available. A user who otherwise praised the app wished the catalog were larger and mentioned interest in support for third party designs. If extensive watch face variety is your top priority, this may feel a bit restrictive.
Productivity tools and extras
Beyond telling the time, the app tries to turn the lock screen into a small information hub.
You can see weather information at a glance, view notifications in place, and control music playback without unlocking the phone. For quick reminders, there is Always On Memo and a quick note feature that lets you jot something down and keep it visible on the always on display.
The app can also function as a night clock, which pairs nicely with auto dimming in dark rooms. For more advanced setups, Tasker integration lets you start or stop the always on screen through automation rules, which gives power users a lot of flexibility.
Battery behavior and power saving options
An always on display will inevitably use some power, and feedback on consumption here is mixed. One long term user reported that the app draws a fair amount of power, though they still described the overall experience as stable and reliable. Another user, who keeps the display visible all day on various surfaces, felt that battery usage remained low.
The app itself provides several tools aimed at reducing impact. Automatic rules can adjust behavior using predefined conditions to help preserve battery. Pocket mode prevents the screen from staying active in your pocket, and auto night mode lowers brightness in dark conditions. There is also Greenify integration and a Force doze option intended to work with system level power saving features.
How much battery it uses in practice will depend on how long you keep the display lit and which options you enable, so some experimentation with these controls is likely worthwhile.
Permissions and trust factors
Always On AMOLED asks for a few system level permissions, and the developer clearly states why they are used. Camera access is needed to toggle the flashlight, phone permission lets the app detect incoming calls so it can dismiss the always on screen and present the call interface, and permission to modify system settings is used to adjust lock screen brightness.
Users who are cautious about privacy will appreciate having these purposes spelled out, but should still review the requested permissions carefully to ensure they are comfortable with the level of access.
Overall impression
Always On AMOLED offers a rich and flexible take on the always on display concept. It brings time, notifications, weather, music controls, and notes to a dark, glanceable screen, with enough customization to make it feel personal. The combination of power saving options and automation support helps it fit a wide range of usage patterns.
Its main shortcomings are a clock face selection that could be broader and battery usage that may vary between users and setups. If you are looking for a more informative and customizable lock screen on an AMOLED device, however, this app stands out as a strong option.
Pros
- Highly customizable always on display with multiple clock styles, fonts, and AMOLED friendly wallpapers
- Shows time, date, notifications, and weather without waking the phone
- Useful extras like music controls, quick notes, and Always On Memo
- Smart behavior options such as pocket mode, Raise to Wake, auto night mode, and edge glow for new alerts
- Advanced integration with Tasker, Greenify, automatic rules, and doze support
Cons
- Clock face collection is limited and lacks support for third party designs
- Battery impact differs between users, with at least one reporting noticeable power usage
- Requires camera, phone, and system settings permissions, which may concern privacy minded users