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This guide walks you through the exact places in Settings to change the clock style and clock color, plus what to try if you don’t see those controls on your phone.
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What Always On Display changes (and what it doesn’t)
When you change the AOD clock style and color, you’re typically adjusting how the time is rendered on the Always On Display screen. This does not change your lock screen wallpaper, notification behavior, or general themes.
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Prerequisites on Galaxy S23 (One UI differences)
Before you start, confirm two things: you’re on the Galaxy S23 (not a different model) and your One UI version supports the AOD customization controls you’re looking for.
- Model: Galaxy S23 (SM-S911).
- OS: Samsung One UI (version varies by update cycle).
- Update check: Settings > Software update > Download and install.
If you recently updated, restart once after installing—some AOD menu options can appear only after a reboot.
Change the Always On Display clock style
Use the AOD settings page to swap clock layouts. The labels can vary, but the path below is the most consistent entry point on the Galaxy S23.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap Lock screen.
- Tap Always On Display.
- Make sure Always On Display is turned On.
- Find and tap Clock style (or a similarly named option such as Clock within the AOD page).
- Select your preferred clock style from the list.
As you pick styles, Samsung usually previews the look immediately. If there’s a back button, tap it only after you’re sure the preview matches what you want.
Change the Always On Display clock color
Clock color availability depends on the AOD layout. If color controls exist for your selected clock style, you’ll see a color picker or color options right in the AOD customization screen.
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display.
- Ensure AOD is On.
- Open Clock style and choose a style that offers color options (some styles are monochrome or linked to theme settings).
- Tap Clock color (or Color).
- Select one of the available colors.
- Check the preview on the AOD screen.
If you don’t see a color menu immediately, try switching to another clock style first—Samsung sometimes hides color controls for certain styles.
Choose an AOD content mode that affects clock options
Samsung provides different AOD “content” modes. Your clock style and color controls can change depending on whether you’re using a standard static clock, a scheduled AOD, or other layout variations.
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display.
- Look for Show (or Display) options like Tap to show, Show always, or a scheduled option.
- Select the mode you want (for example, Show always if you want constant visibility).
- Then revisit Clock style and Clock color.
Even if you only care about the clock, setting the display mode can determine which AOD template you’re editing.
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If you don’t see clock style or color options
Missing menus are usually caused by one of three things: your One UI build hides the options under a different label, your selected AOD template doesn’t support color, or power-saving features are constraining display behavior.
Check for power-saving constraints
On some builds, power-saving settings can limit Always On Display behavior. Turn off aggressive power modes temporarily to verify whether the menus appear.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery and device care.
- Tap Battery.
- Check Power saving and disable it to test.
- Return to Lock screen > Always On Display.
Switch clock style to unlock color
If Clock color doesn’t appear, try choosing a different style under Clock style. Some styles are designed to match system theme or are limited to monochrome.
- Pick a clearly different layout.
- Re-check for a Clock color control.
Update your software
Samsung occasionally changes AOD customization UI and options. If you’re on an older patch, update and re-check the menus.
- Go to Settings > Software update.
- Tap Download and install.
- Restart your phone.
- Verify Lock screen > Always On Display again.
Troubleshooting: fixes when AOD settings won’t apply
Even after you select a clock style or color, the AOD preview might not reflect the change—or the real lock screen might not update immediately. Here are the most reliable fixes.
1) Toggle Always On Display off and back on
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display.
- Turn Always On Display Off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn it On again.
- Lock the phone to confirm the result.
2) Force the display to refresh
On many One UI builds, the AOD panel updates after a brief lock/unlock cycle.
- Lock your phone.
- Wait for the AOD to show.
- Press the power button to wake, then lock again.
3) Reboot the phone
If you just updated software or changed multiple lock screen settings, a reboot can clear UI caching issues.
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap Restart.
- After it boots, re-check AOD clock style/color.
4) Check for conflicting lock screen customization
If you use a third-party lock screen app, it may conflict with Samsung’s AOD clock rendering. Remove or disable the app temporarily and test the built-in AOD settings.
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Quick comparison: clock style and color across common AOD layouts
Samsung doesn’t always present the exact same option set for every clock style. The table below helps you quickly predict whether you’ll likely find Clock color controls for your selection.
| AOD clock style behavior | What you’ll usually see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Theme-tied or template clock | Limited or no manual color picker | Switch to a different clock style; then check for Clock color |
| Customizable monochrome clock | Color may be limited to one accent | Select a different style that supports full color options |
| Standard clock with palette choices | Clock color menu and multiple swatches | Pick your swatch; verify preview immediately |
| Edge-case layouts (preview-only templates) | Settings may apply only after refresh | Toggle AOD Off/On or reboot if preview and lock screen differ |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing lock screen wallpaper instead of AOD: Wallpaper affects the lock screen background, not always the AOD clock palette.
- Assuming color options apply to every clock style: Some styles intentionally limit color.
- Not turning AOD on: If AOD is off, the preview and applied changes won’t show as expected.
- Skipping the refresh: After you change style/color, lock the phone and wait a few seconds to confirm the AOD rendering.
FAQ
Can I set a custom clock color (like a specific hex value)?
On Galaxy S23 AOD, you typically select from Samsung-provided color options rather than entering a custom value. If you don’t see a broader palette, switch clock styles and check again.
Why does my clock color change when I change the theme?
Some AOD clock styles tie their appearance to system theme settings. If you’re using a theme-linked clock style, the clock color may follow theme accent changes.
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Does Always On Display clock color affect battery life?
Clock color itself usually doesn’t dramatically change power usage, but AOD brightness and always-on behavior can. If battery is a concern, consider scheduled AOD or lower brightness.
My options are missing—did Samsung remove them?
They’re often still there but under a different label or only visible for certain clock styles. Update your phone, turn off power saving to test, then re-check after switching clock style.
How can I confirm the change is working?
Lock the phone and make sure AOD appears. If you want to be precise, change one setting at a time and watch the AOD preview and the actual lock screen rendering.
Bottom Line
To change the Galaxy S23 Always On Display clock style and color, go to Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display, then adjust Clock style and (when available) Clock color. If the color menu is missing, switching clock styles is usually the fastest fix.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf your changes don’t appear, toggle AOD off and on or reboot. With those steps, you’ll get a clock that matches your preferences and reliably shows on the lock screen.
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