Google has officially announced that lock screen widgets will soon be available on more Android tablets and smartphones. Currently, this feature is exclusive to the Pixel Tablet, but it will expand to more devices shortly after the launch of Android 16.
For longtime Android users, lock screen widgets may sound familiar. They were originally introduced in the early days of Android but were eventually removed. Now, Google is bringing them back, aiming to enhance convenience and customization.
Lock Screen Widgets in Android 16 – What to Expect
Android 16 is expected to officially launch in June 2025, and Google has confirmed that developers will be able to enable lock screen widgets soon after.
Currently, the feature is not enabled in the Android 16 beta, but Android Authority managed to activate it and discovered an interesting difference in implementation:
- On the Pixel Tablet, you can access widgets by swiping right from the lock screen.
- On smartphones, the feature requires Android’s screensaver mode, which only activates when the device is charging or docked.
Pokdepinion: Google is giving developers and smartphone manufacturers the freedom to decide how the widget interface will be triggered. This means different Android brands may implement customized experiences for lock screen widgets. With Android 16 set to launch in a few months, it won’t be long before we see how various OEMs integrate this feature.
