Customize Lock Screen Galaxy S9: Full Guide
To customize the lock screen on a Galaxy S9, go to Settings > Lock screen and tap Clock style, FaceWidgets, or Contact information to change the clock, add widgets, and show your name or emergency details. You can also change the wallpaper, notification settings, and screen timeout from the same menu. This guide walks through every option, explains what each setting does, and answers common questions about the S9’s lock screen.
Why the S9 Lock Screen Is Different
The Galaxy S9 runs Samsung’s One UI (based on Android), which gives you more lock screen controls than stock Android. Unlike older phones where you only changed the wallpaper, the S9 lets you pick between several clock styles, choose which widgets appear, and decide how notifications are shown. The Always On Display (AOD) is also tied to the lock screen, so customizing one often affects the other. Knowing these connections helps you avoid confusion when a setting doesn’t seem to apply.
How to Change the Lock Screen Wallpaper
The wallpaper is the most obvious customization. On the S9, you can set a different image for the lock screen and the home screen, or use the same for both.
- Open Settings and tap Wallpaper (or long-press the home screen and choose Wallpapers).
- Pick an image from the gallery, Samsung’s built-in wallpapers, or a downloaded pack.
- Tap Set as wallpaper and choose Lock screen, Home screen, or Both.
If you want a live wallpaper, select the Live wallpapers tab at the top. Note that live wallpapers on the lock screen may use more battery, and some third-party live wallpapers don’t support the AOD preview.
Changing the Clock Style and Position
The S9 offers several clock faces for the lock screen, including digital, analog, and a dual clock for travelers. To change it:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Clock style.
- Swipe through the options and tap one to preview it.
- Tap Apply to save.
You can also move the clock to the left, center, or right of the screen by tapping Clock position in the same menu. If you travel across time zones, enable Dual clock to show both home and local times – useful for frequent flyers.
Adding FaceWidgets and Information
FaceWidgets are the small panels that appear on the lock screen when you swipe from the edges. They include the calendar, music controller, weather, and your daily schedule. To manage them:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > FaceWidgets.
- Toggle each widget on or off – for example, Music shows playback controls, Weather shows the forecast, and Next alarm displays your upcoming alarm.
- Tap Clock style to choose whether the widgets appear on the AOD or only when you wake the screen.
You can also add contact information – like your name, phone number, or an emergency contact – that shows at the bottom of the lock screen. This is helpful if you lose your phone. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Contact information and type the text you want to display.
Controlling Notifications on the Lock Screen
The S9 lets you decide how much notification content is visible without unlocking. To adjust:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen &strong> and tap Notifications.
- Choose from Show content, Hide content, or Don’t show notifications.
- For per-app control, tap App notifications and select which apps can send lock screen alerts.
A common misconception is that “hide content” blocks all notifications – it doesn’t. It only hides the message preview; you still see the app icon and the sender. To completely block an app, you must turn off its notifications entirely in Settings > Apps.
Always On Display (AOD) and Lock Screen
The AOD shows the clock, date, and battery percentage when the screen is off. It’s part of the lock screen experience, but settings are separate. To customize:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display.
- Choose from Clock, Calendar, Image, or Information (which shows the clock plus notifications).
- Tap Clock style to pick a different AOD clock – it doesn’t have to match the lock screen clock.
- Enable Show while charging if you want the AOD to stay on when plugged in.
Remember that the AOD uses battery, so if you’re concerned about battery life, set it to Show only when you tap the screen or turn it off entirely.
Common Problems and Fixes
If a setting doesn’t seem to work, try these checks:
- Wallpaper not changing: Make sure you’re setting it for the lock screen, not just the home screen. If using a third-party wallpaper app, grant it storage permission.
- Clock style not applying: Some clock styles only work with certain AOD modes. Disable the AOD or switch its style to match.
- Notifications not showing: Check that the app’s notifications are enabled in both the lock screen settings and the app’s own settings. Also, if you have a screen lock (PIN, pattern, password), some apps may hide content for privacy.
- FaceWidgets missing: Swipe from the left or right edge of the lock screen – they’re not always visible at the center. If they still don’t appear, restart the phone.
If you’re using a third-party lock screen app, it may override Samsung’s settings. Uninstall it to restore the default behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove the clock from the lock screen?
You can’t fully remove the clock on the S9 – it’s a system requirement. However, you can make it very small or choose a minimal style. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Clock style and pick the smallest digital option. There’s no official way to hide it completely without rooting, which voids warranty.
Can I use a GIF as my lock screen wallpaper?
No, the S9 doesn’t support GIFs as static wallpapers. You can use a video as a live wallpaper (via the Gallery app), but it will play on both lock and home screens. For a GIF, you’d need a third-party app that converts it to a video loop.
Why is my lock screen showing the wrong time?
This usually happens when you have the dual clock enabled and the second time zone is set incorrectly. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Clock style > Dual clock and choose the correct home city. Also, check your phone’s time zone in Settings > General management > Date and time.
How do I make the lock screen less bright?
The lock screen brightness follows your display brightness setting. You can lower it in the quick settings panel. If you’re using the AOD, it has its own brightness that adjusts automatically – you can’t manually set it, but you can turn it off to save battery.
Can I change the lock screen shortcut icons?
On the S9, the bottom-left and bottom-right shortcuts (phone and camera) are fixed. You can’t change them to other apps without using a third-party launcher or mod. However, you can swipe left on the lock screen to open the camera quickly.
Does a screen lock affect customization?
Yes, if you set a PIN, pattern, or password, you’ll see the lock screen before the secure screen. Some widgets and notifications may be hidden until you unlock. You can still customize the clock and wallpaper, but the secure screen (where you enter your code) will look different and can’t be themed without third-party apps.
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