One of the most fascinating new features Samsung introduced with One UI 7.0 is the Now Bar. It shows ongoing activities and other relevant information on your phone's lock screen. That feature is now working with Google Maps to display route-related information.

Now Bar starts working with Google Maps

Just a few days before the Galaxy S25 starts reaching buyers, Google has updated the Google Maps app so that it works with the Now Bar feature on devices running One UI 7.0. While the feature was announced during the recent Galaxy Unpacked event, the feature wasn't active back then.

The latest version of Google Maps (25.05.01.719889437) for Android is now integrated (via @tarunvats33) with the Now Bar on Galaxy phones running One UI 7.0 (Android 15). It can display the next steps in your navigation on the phone's lock screen. The app also seems to have started displaying live notifications, as shown in the screenshot below.

While Live Updates was introduced for Android 16 last week, Google seems to have gotten it working even on Galaxy phones running Android 15. A live notification for Google Maps can display a progress bar for your current public transit navigation along with other relevant information, such as the estimated time of arrival (ETA).

You can see how the Now Bar works in our detailed One UI 7.0 video below.

The Now Bar works with several Samsung apps and some Google apps. All the compatible apps are listed below.

• Bixby
• Clock
• Emergency Sharing
• Google Maps
• Google (Sports Score)
• Interpreter
• Samsung Health
• Samsung Notes
• Voice Recorder

The Now Bar also appears on the AOD screen on compatible Samsung phones. So, even if your phone is in sleep mode, you can track the progress of ongoing activities on your phone. You can even double-tap the buttons to press them in the AOD mode.

The post Google Maps updated to work with One UI 7’s Now Bar appeared first on SamMobile.