Google is bringing widgets to phone lock screens with Android 16 QPR1

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder)
2025-03-06 16:27:00
www.androidcentral.com

What you need to know

Widgets will arrive on the lock screen for Android phones and tablets later this year with Android 16 QPR1.
Google brought lock screen widgets to the Pixel Tablet with Android 15, and the feature will be available as part of the AOSP in “late Summer 2025.”
While the update will be available for OEMs to implement, device manufactures won’t be able to customize the experience.

Lock Screen widgets are a crucial part of the Google Pixel Tablet experience, and they’re coming to all Android phones later this year. Google announced the move in a blog post on the Android Developers Blog today, March 6. The update will be pushed to the Android Open Source Project in “late Summer 2025” and “all widgets are compatible with the lock screen widget experience,” according to the company.

“Lock screen widgets will be available in AOSP for tablets and mobile starting with the release after Android 16 (QPR1),” the company says in the post. Pixel phones might get lock screen widgets first, as the blog post notes “other device manufacturers may update their devices as well once the feature is available in AOSP.”

The update coming as part of Android 16 QPR1 will not only boost the capabilities of Android phones, but could also third-party Android tablets, like the OnePlus Pad and Samsung Galaxy Tab lineup. However, it’s up to those third-party OEMs to implement the functionality when it becomes available. Notably, Google says device manufacturers can’t customize the appearance of lock screen widgets, so it’s possible some OEMs might opt not to include this feature.

“All lock screen widgets will have the same developer experience on all devices,” the company adds.

Google Pixel Tablet in vertical mode

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Google also provides insight on how widgets might appear on the lock screen in the form of developer instructions. “For the best experience, please make sure your widget supports dynamic color and dynamic resizing,” the post explains. “Lock screen widgets are sized to approximately 4 cells wide by 3 cells tall on the launcher, but exact dimensions vary by device.”

Lock screen widgets, when available, could give users more ways to easily take actions within apps with fewer taps. Android 16 is set to bring multiple new experiences to the lock screen, as Live Updates are also expected to arrive as part of the update.

Source Link

Keep your phone secure and easily accessible in your car with the Miracase Phone Holder for Your Car! This Amazon Best Seller is designed for easy installation and holds your phone firmly in place, ensuring a safe and convenient driving experience.

With a 4.3/5-star rating from 29,710 reviews, it’s a top choice for drivers! Plus, over 10,000 units sold in the past month! Get it now for just $15.99 on Amazon.

Start your free Amazon Prime trial
today and unlock unlimited streaming and more!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!

BITCOIN

Bitcoin Logo