Android 17 New ‘Min Mode’: Most modern smartphones with OLED or LED displays feature an Always-on Display (AOD) — a handy feature that shows essentials like the time, date, battery level, and notifications even when your phone is locked. It saves you the effort of unlocking your phone every few minutes just to check basic information. Now, it looks like Google is preparing to supercharge this feature with the upcoming Android 17, introducing a powerful new capability called “Min Mode.”
What Is ‘Min Mode’ in Android 17?
According to a report by Android Authority, Google’s new Min Mode could allow third-party apps to display their own minimalist and persistent interfaces directly on the Always-on Display. This would make the AOD much more dynamic and useful — instead of just showing static information like a clock or missed call icon, apps could present live, contextual updates right on your locked screen.
The feature was reportedly discovered buried inside the Android SystemUI package, which strongly suggests that Google is actively developing it for Android 17. Although it’s still experimental, the possibilities it opens up are pretty exciting.
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How Min Mode Could Transform the AOD Experience
Currently, the AOD only supports showing basic system-level info. But with Min Mode, third-party apps might be able to use that screen space to display their own simplified interfaces — all while consuming minimal battery.
Imagine this:
- Google Maps showing turn-by-turn navigation instructions while your screen stays locked.
- Music apps displaying playback controls or track info.
- Fitness apps showing live activity stats during a workout.
- Calendar apps presenting your upcoming meetings at a glance.
Essentially, Min Mode could transform the AOD into a customizable mini dashboard for your favorite apps.
Not a Replacement, but an Upgrade
Despite the name, Min Mode isn’t meant to replace the existing Always-on Display — rather, it builds upon it. The feature is said to rely on the same low-power display mode used by AOD to ensure battery efficiency. However, instead of the standard static layout, it would let apps render a full-screen minimal interface, tailored to their purpose.
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Developers would reportedly be able to enable this functionality by adding a MinModeActivity in their app’s manifest file. This is then registered through a MinModeProvider in the Android SystemUI. When a device enters AOD, the system recognizes if a registered app supports Min Mode and then automatically displays that app’s interface in place of the default AOD screen.
Google Maps May Be the First to Use It
Interestingly, Google Maps seems to be the first in line to use this feature. Android Authority spotted clues pointing toward Maps integrating Min Mode to display navigation details even when the phone screen is off. This could be particularly helpful for drivers or cyclists who want real-time directions without having to wake their screen repeatedly.
The discovery came from a teardown of the Google Maps APK (version 25.44.03.824313610). Inside, researchers found code referring to a new “Power saving mode”, which switches Maps to a monochrome, minimal design. It displays only the most essential navigation data — such as arrows, street names, and distance — reducing battery drain while maintaining visibility.
If tied with Min Mode, this could mean you’ll be able to glance at navigation instructions directly from your Always-on Display, with minimal power usage.
What This Means for Users
If rolled out successfully, Min Mode could redefine how Android users interact with their devices in locked mode. It opens the door to personalized AOD experiences, where each user could decide which apps should show live updates.
For instance:
- Weather apps could show temperature and forecast icons.
- Messaging apps could show unread counts or snippets.
- Health apps could track step count or heart rate.
- Travel apps could show flight or cab status.
All this — without ever needing to unlock the phone.
Still in Development, But Promising
While this feature is still hidden in Android 17’s code, its discovery signals Google’s intent to make AOD more interactive, customizable, and developer-friendly. However, since it’s in the early stages, we don’t yet know when it’ll officially debut or which devices will support it first.
If it does make it to the final Android 17 release next year, Min Mode could become one of the most exciting upgrades for power users who love personalization. It would also put Android a step ahead of iOS, which currently offers a static always-on experience with limited app integration.
Final Thoughts
Google’s Min Mode is shaping up to be a small but potentially game-changing addition to Android 17. By allowing apps to take over the Always-on Display with minimal, battery-friendly interfaces, it gives developers creative freedom and users more control over what they see on their locked screens.
If the reports hold true, the next version of Android might finally turn the AOD into something more than just a screen saver — it could become a real-time, personalized glance hub that keeps you informed without ever touching your phone.
