Google is bringing lock screen widgets to Android 16 in this year

Google is bringing lock screen widgets to Android 16 phones later this year. These widgets have been available on the Pixel Tablet since last year, but now they are coming to phones and more tablets. By default, all widgets will support the lock screen. However, app developers can choose to disable this feature. Some actions, like opening an app, will still require authentication via fingerprint, PIN, or face unlock. Google announced this change on the Android Developers Blog. Lock screen widgets will be added to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) in the first update after Android 16 launches in late summer. Android 16 is still in beta and is set to release in June.

Is this new to Android?

Lock screen widgets aren’t entirely new to Android. Google first introduced them in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean back in 2012, allowing users to add widgets directly to the lock screen for quick access to information. However, the feature was removed in Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2014. One major reason was security concerns—widgets could display sensitive information without unlocking the phone.

What’s new in Android 16?

Currently, lock screen widgets for phones are not enabled in the latest beta. However, Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman managed to activate them early. On the Pixel Tablet, users swipe right from the home screen to access widgets. But for phones, the current implementation only works in screensaver mode when the device is charging or docked.

Google says hardware manufacturers can customize how widgets are triggered. This means different phones may have different implementations. Another key difference is screen size. Unlike the Pixel Tablet’s two-row grid, phone widgets are stacked vertically, with only a few visible at once.

What do you think about lock screen widgets making a comeback? Will they improve your Android experience, or do you prefer a cleaner lock screen? Let us know your tech thoughts in the comments!