When you’ve handled Samsung phones for as long as I have, cracked open their casings, dug deep into diagnostics, and fine-tuned settings most users never touch, you start to appreciate the little things. One of those? Edge lighting. Not just a flashy gimmick, but a sleek, practical notification system that elevates how the Galaxy S25 communicates with you.
Now, I’ve seen too many users overlook it or worse, set it up wrong, missing out on one of the Galaxy series’ most polished features. If you’re here, you’re likely ready to unlock the full potential of your device, not just skim the surface like the average user. Good.
You’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through enabling edge lighting for notifications on the Galaxy S25, step by step, no fluff, straight from someone who’s been in the trenches of Samsung tech since the Edge display first came to life.
What Is Edge Lighting and Why It Matters on the Galaxy S25
Let’s get something straight: edge lighting isn’t just eye candy. On the Galaxy S25, it’s a subtle but powerful layer of communication between you and your device. When your phone is face down, muted, or across the room, those soft glows along the edges act like a digital tap on the shoulder. And trust me, when your ears can’t catch a ping, your eyes will catch that light.
Now, I’ve worked with every Galaxy flagship since the early Edge series, and the S25 is hands-down the smoothest execution yet.
The updated AMOLED panel paired with Samsung’s refined One UI delivers sharper, more fluid edge effects. It’s responsive, efficient, and finally customizable enough to satisfy even picky tech heads like me.
So why does it matter? Because it’s no longer about just seeing a notification, it’s about seeing which one, from whom, and even how important it is, without waking your screen or draining your battery. In other words, it’s smart signaling done the Samsung way.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Enable Edge Lighting for Notifications
Let’s not waste time with vague instructions or guesswork, you came here for precision, and that’s what you’ll get. I’ve walked dozens of clients through this process, both in person and remotely, and when done right, edge lighting becomes one of the Galaxy S25’s most efficient silent-alert tools. Here’s exactly how you enable it, the technician’s way.
Step 1: Dive into Notification Settings
Start by unlocking your device and opening the Settings app. Don’t bother searching, just swipe down from the top of your screen, tap the gear icon in the corner. From there, scroll until you hit Notifications.
Step 2: Switch to ‘Brief’ Notification Style
Here’s the catch most people miss: Edge lighting won’t activate unless your notification style is set to Brief.
So, inside Notifications, tap “Notification pop-up style” and choose Brief.
(Why not Detailed? Because Edge lighting only runs on Brief mode, it’s designed for quick-glance visual alerts, not full message previews.)
Step 3: Open Edge Lighting Style Settings
Once Brief mode is enabled, you’ll see a new option appear: Edge lighting style. Tap it.
Now you’re in the customization zone, this is where Samsung’s engineers gave us room to play. Choose your effect:
- Glitter for a soft pulse,
- Eclipse for a more dramatic arc,
- or pick any other style that suits your visual taste.
I recommend Glitter with custom color per app, clean, subtle, and informative without looking like a nightclub on your screen.
Step 4: Save and Back Out
- Once you’ve selected your edge lighting style and color scheme, hit Done.
- Then back out to the home screen, no need to restart or toggle anything else. The change is live.
Customizing Edge Lighting to Fit Your Needs
Now that you’ve got edge lighting set up, let’s dive into the customization. This is where the real magic happens, and it’s why the Galaxy S25 stands apart from other devices. Samsung didn’t just throw in a one-size-fits-all notification light. No, they gave us power, flexibility, and the ability to fine-tune it to our exact preferences. So, let’s get into it.
Step 1: Adjusting the Color and Transparency
Once you’re in the Edge lighting style settings (you remember where that is, right?), tap Customize under the style options. Now, here’s where you get to get really particular.
- Color: You can pick a default color, or if you’re a perfectionist like me, you can go full tech-geek mode and customize the RGB values for the precise hue you want. Match it to your wallpaper, your case, or even just your mood.
- Transparency: If you prefer a more subtle glow, tweak the transparency. I recommend keeping it around 60% for balance, enough to catch the eye, but not enough to blind you in a dark room. This is your device, and you control how much it stands out.
Step 2: Adjusting the Width and Duration
You can also change how thick that edge lighting is. Want it to be a sharp, slim strip? Or a more dramatic, broad flash? The Width option lets you dial this in.
- Width: I always go for a medium width, something that makes an impact, but isn’t overpowering.
- Duration: Control how long that edge glow stays active. Too quick, and you might miss it; too long, and it becomes intrusive. I keep mine at Short, quick enough to grab attention without lingering too long.
With these options, your Galaxy S25 isn’t just a phone. It’s a visual notification powerhouse that knows exactly when and how to grab your attention, without ever making you feel overwhelmed. Screen Mirror Samsung Galaxy S25
Conclusion
At this point, your Galaxy S25 isn’t just “set up”, it’s fine-tuned. Edge lighting is no longer a gimmick or a distraction; it’s a practical, elegant feature that works with your lifestyle, letting you stay in the loop without ever needing to pick up your phone.
Whether you’re in a meeting, at the gym, or simply enjoying some downtime, the way your phone alerts you will now be perfectly in sync with your needs.
As someone who’s spent countless hours disassembling and troubleshooting these devices, I can tell you that it’s the little details, like customizing edge lighting, that separate an average setup from a truly optimized one. Don’t settle for the default. Samsung’s engineers gave us a canvas; it’s up to you to paint your own masterpiece.
So, whether you’re setting up edge lighting for a client or just dialing in your own setup, I hope this guide made the process clear and, most importantly, effortless. Your Galaxy S25 is more than capable of offering these features with precision. It’s now your turn to take full advantage.
Remember, technology isn’t just about using the tools; it’s about mastering them. And when it comes to your Galaxy S25, you’ve just taken one more step toward that mastery.