User Guide¶
Everything AOD Flow can do, and how to set it up.
Getting started¶
AOD Flow asks for a few things while you set it up, and each one unlocks a specific part of the app.
| Permission | What it's for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Display over other apps | Lets the AOD overlay appear on your lock screen | Yes - the AOD can't turn on without it |
| Notifications | The ongoing status notification while the AOD is running, and a notification after your phone restarts | Requested on Android 13 and later |
| Notification access | Powers Show Notifications on AOD and Show Media Player Controls | Only if you turn on one of those two toggles |
| Disable battery optimisation | Stops Android from stopping the AOD in the background | Recommended, not required |
If your phone is a Xiaomi, OPPO or vivo device, Settings also shows an Additional Permission Required card. Some of these manufacturers restrict background apps and pop-up windows by default, which can stop the AOD from appearing on the lock screen even with the permissions above granted. Tap the card for device-specific steps.
Turning the AOD on and off¶
On the Home tab:
- Start / Stop switches the always-on display on or off
- Preview shows you the AOD screen immediately, so you can check your settings without waiting for the display to turn off or for a charger to be plugged in
When the AOD appears¶
Open Settings → Open AOD screen to choose when the AOD is allowed to show itself automatically:
| Option | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Always (charging & Lock screen) | Shows whenever your screen turns off, and whenever you plug in a charger |
| Only on charging | Shows only while your phone is charging |
| Only on lock screen | Shows only when your screen turns off, not on charging |
Two more settings work alongside this:
- AOD on charging (Settings) keeps the screen on for as long as your phone is plugged in
- Hide On A Schedule (Settings) hides the AOD during hours you set, for example overnight — set Hide From and Hide Until once it's turned on
Clock styles and Templates¶
The Templates tab holds ready-made looks. Each one sets the clock style, font, colour, size and on-screen spacing together. Filter by All, Free, Premium, Analog or Digital, tap a template to preview it, then Apply.
To pick a clock style on its own, open Look & Feel → Clock Style for the full gallery of digital, analogue and hybrid designs. Some are free and some are marked Premium.
Look & Feel¶
The Look & Feel tab controls how the AOD screen looks:
- Clock Style - the clock/watch face gallery
- Clock Color - the clock's colour
- Clock Brightness and Clock Size - sliders
- Date size, Date Formatting and Date Position (Center, Left or Right)
- Time Format - 12 or 24 hour
- Notification Position - Below date or Below clock
- Torch (tap & hold) and Camera (tap & hold) - show or hide the two quick-action buttons on the AOD screen
- Show Notifications on AOD and Show Media Player Controls - see below
Notifications on the AOD¶
Turn on Show Notifications on AOD in Look & Feel to see a row of icons for apps with something new, without unlocking your phone. The first time you turn it on, AOD Flow asks for notification access; grant it in the screen that opens, then come back.
Turning on Notification Wakes Screen, which appears once notifications on the AOD are on, briefly wakes the AOD when a new notification arrives.
Media playback controls¶
Turn on Show Media Player Controls in Look & Feel to see what's playing — track title, artist and album art — and to play, pause, skip and seek, right from the AOD screen. This uses the same notification access permission as notification icons.
Pick a layout under Music Player Style: Classic, Wavy, Minimal Center or Minimal Left.
Media controls only appear while something is actually playing through Android's media session, so start playback in your music or video app first.
Quick actions on the AOD screen¶
- Torch and Camera - tap and hold either icon on the AOD screen to turn on your flashlight or open your phone's own camera app. Hide either one in Look & Feel
- Double Tap to Exit (Settings) - double tap the AOD screen to dismiss it
- Swipe to change clock (Settings, Pro) - swipe the clock on the AOD screen to cycle through your clock styles without opening the app
Burn-in protection and pocket detection¶
- Enable OLED Burn-In Protection (Settings) periodically shifts the AOD's on-screen content by a small amount, to reduce the risk of screen burn-in from a static image over long-term use
- Enable Pocket Detection (Settings) uses your phone's proximity sensor to keep the screen asleep while it's in your pocket or bag, so it doesn't light up or register accidental touches
Timing and power saving¶
Three independent timers, all in Settings:
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dim Full Screen | Dims the AOD after a set time |
| Power Saving Mode | Slows the clock down after a set time, to save power |
| AOD Timeout | Turns the AOD off completely after a set time |
Each can be set to Never, or to a delay between 5 seconds and 10 minutes.
Home screen widgets¶
The Widgets tab shows a gallery of ready-made widget looks. Tap one to open the customisation sheet, where you can adjust:
- Background shape - Square, Rectangle, Circle, No background, Hexagon, Triangle, Wavy, Pentagon, Octagon, Quatrefoil or Heart
- Solid background and Border (Thin, Normal or Thick)
- Background color and Clock color, including preset colour palettes
Tap Add to home screen to place it. Locked (Premium) widget looks open the upgrade screen instead.
You can also add a widget the usual Android way: long press an empty area of your home screen, tap Widgets, and look for Clock AOD — the individual widgets still carry the app's previous name. Three sizes are available: 2x1, 2x2 and 4x4. Placing one this way opens the same customisation screen before the widget appears.
Free and Pro¶
| Free | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| The AOD screen, Start/Stop and Preview | Included | Included |
| Clock, watch face, font and colour styles | A free selection | All styles, including Premium designs |
| Templates | Free templates | All templates, including Premium |
| Home screen widget looks | Free widget looks | All widget looks, including Premium |
| Swipe to change clock on the AOD | Not available | Available |
| Ads | Shown | None |
Pro is available as an annual or monthly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase, from the Upgrade to Pro screen. Exact prices and any trial terms are set in Google Play and may vary by region. Purchases are handled entirely by Google Play; see Restore a purchase in the FAQ if a purchase doesn't show up on a new device.
App settings¶
- Theme - Follow system, Light or Dark, for the app's own screens (not the AOD clock)
- App Language - choose from 19 supported languages
- Hide/Show Notifications and Disable Battery Optimization open the relevant Android system settings directly