Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR Lock Glimpse debuted in Nothing OS 4.0 as an optional lock screen feature, but it is now raising concerns over battery drain.
It’s a system-level component, meaning it can’t be uninstalled without root access and can only be toggled off.
Even when disabled, the system reportedly attempts to restart Lock Glimpse every few seconds, resulting in unnecessary background activity.
Nothing’s latest software experiment is turning into an unexpected headache, and it’s testing the patience of some of the brand’s loyal fans. The trouble is with Lock Glimpse, a lock-screen feature in Nothing OS 4.0, which started as an optional addition but is now sparking real concern about battery life.
Lock Glimpse first appeared in beta builds of Nothing OS 4.0. On paper, it sounds harmless enough. Nothing frames it as a discovery-focused lock screen experience. You wake your phone and see rotating images paired with short headlines, each linking out to a web article. The pitch is that it adds variety and context. The reality, according to many users, is that it feels a lot like ads wearing a minimalist disguise.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
Lock Glimpse is baked into the system, not a regular app you can uninstall. It’s a system-level component, meaning it stays on your phone unless you have root access. For most users, the only official option is to toggle it off in settings and go back to a standard lock screen wallpaper.
This is where the problem gets worse. A Reddit user found that even when Lock Glimpse is turned off, Nothing OS still runs parts of it in the background. The system checks or tries to start Lock Glimpse every three seconds, even if it’s disabled. The result, according to the Reddit post, is unnecessary background activity that may lead to higher battery drain than leaving the feature enabled.
... continue reading