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How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen

May 7, 2015 05:46 PM
"How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen" cover image

The Galaxy S6 Edge comes with a useful feature called Information stream that allows you to view quick tidbits of info with a quick back-and-forth swipe on the edge of your display while the screen is off. Apparently, Samsung left the door open for third-party plugins to use this feature, and now we're starting to see an influx of useful additions.

Developer trailblazer101 might just have the most useful Information stream add-on yet. It allows you to control music playback without having to fully wake your device, and it's pretty simple to install, too. Just make sure you have "Unknown sources" enabled in your phone's Settings under "Lock screen and security" before you begin.

Install MusicPlayer Feed

This particular Information stream feed is not available on the Google Play Store, so it will have to be sideloaded. To begin, point your phone's web browser to this link, and the file will start downloading automatically.

Notification panel on a smartphone displaying battery life, time, and media player progress.
Notification panel from a smartphone displaying music player and connectivity options.
Notification panel on a smartphone displaying battery life, time, and media player progress.
Notification panel from a smartphone displaying music player and connectivity options.

When that's finished, tap the "Download complete" notification to launch the file. From here, press "Install," and when that's finished, tap "Done."

Installation prompt for a music player application with privacy and service access options.
App installation screen for MuzikPlayer Cocktail.
Installation prompt for a music player application with privacy and service access options.
App installation screen for MuzikPlayer Cocktail.

Enable the Notification Service

With the new Information stream feed installed, you'll have to enable its notification listener service next. So head to your phone's Settings menu to select "Lock screen and security," then scroll down and tap the "Other security settings" option.

Settings menu on a mobile device displaying options for personal and security settings.
Settings menu for lock screen and security options on a mobile device.
Settings menu on a mobile device displaying options for personal and security settings.
Settings menu for lock screen and security options on a mobile device.

Next, scroll down again and tap "Notification access," then tap the "MusicPlayer Cocktail Feed" entry and press "OK" on the popup.

Other security settings menu on a mobile device.
Notification access settings for music and messaging apps.
How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen
Other security settings menu on a mobile device.
Notification access settings for music and messaging apps.
How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen

Activate the New Information Stream Feed

With that taken care of, it's time to activate the new feed. Head back to your phone's main Settings menu, then select the "Edge screen" option to begin. On the next page, scroll down a bit and tap the "Information stream" option, then make sure the feature is turned on and select "Manage feeds."

Settings menu with options for device and personal customization.
Edge screen settings menu on a smartphone.
Information stream settings on a smartphone screen.
Settings menu with options for device and personal customization.
Edge screen settings menu on a smartphone.
Information stream settings on a smartphone screen.

On the next screen, scroll all the way to the right to find the newly-installed feed. From here, tick the box at the top of this entry to activate it.

How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen
How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen
How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen
How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen

Control Music from the Information Stream Feed

This Information stream feed should be compatible with any music player app, so start playing some music, then turn your screen off. From here, swipe back and forth on the right edge of your display, then swipe to the right to see your music player controls.

How to Control Music Playback from the Side of Your Galaxy S6 Edge’s Screen

What are some situations where you've found this feature to be more handy than the regular lock screen music controls? For more Information stream hacks, check out our other guides on launching apps when the screen is off and adding a battery meter and system stats to the stream.

Make sure to follow Android Hacks over on Facebook and Twitter, or Gadget Hacks over on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter, for more Android tips.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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