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Sometimes. Samsung lets you trigger selected routines from a Galaxy phone’s Lock screen using the “Show routines on Lock screen” shortcuts, without unlocking. Automatic routines are different: they run when their configured conditions are met, and Samsung does not promise that every action will work in every locked-phone situation. Check the routine’s If condition and Then action, then test that routine on your device.
Lock-screen shortcuts and automatic routines are different
Samsung’s Modes and Routines settings include “Show routines on Lock screen,” which creates shortcuts to selected routines that you can trigger without unlocking the device. This is a way to start a chosen routine manually; it is not a blanket setting that guarantees every automatic routine action will run while the phone is locked.
An automatic routine follows its configured conditions. Samsung describes the setup as an If trigger and a Then action. Whether a particular routine starts or completes as expected therefore depends on its trigger and action, as well as the device and software version.
How to check a routine that does not work as expected
- Find the routines feature. Open Settings and search for “Modes and Routines.” Samsung’s version guidance places it under Settings > Modes and Routines on Android 13 and 14. On Android 11 and 12, Samsung says to use the Bixby Routines app. Menus can vary by device and software version, so searching Settings is a practical first step. (Samsung New Zealand’s guide, updated 16 March 2026.)
- Inspect the routine. Open the Routines tab, select the affected routine, and check its If condition and Then action. Confirm that the trigger matches what you expect to happen and that the configured action is the one you want.
- For manual lock-screen access, check the shortcut setting. Look in Modes and Routines settings for “Show routines on Lock screen,” then select the routines you want available there. This enables lock-screen shortcuts; it does not change an automatic routine into a guaranteed locked-state action.
- Check whether a mode or routine is active. Where supported, Samsung says an active mode can appear in the Lock screen Now bar. You can also inspect routine notifications or the running-routines list. On devices where routine notifications are enabled, Samsung India says you can stop a routine from its Lock screen notification. Seeing activity there indicates status or provides a control; it does not prove that every action is supported while locked. (Samsung India’s guide.)
- Test the specific case. Lock the phone and check whether the routine’s expected trigger and action occur. Samsung’s published guidance does not give a universal guarantee for every locked-state action or a complete compatibility matrix by Galaxy model.
Why the instructions may look different on your Galaxy
Samsung’s feature name and menu layout depend on the device and software. Its New Zealand guidance distinguishes Android 13 and 14, which use Modes and Routines in Settings, from Android 11 and 12, which use the Bixby Routines app. Samsung also cautions that availability and menus can vary by device and software or app version. If those paths do not match your phone, search Settings for “Modes and Routines” or look for Bixby Routines on older software.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
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- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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