Android 16, slated for a June release, will bring lock screen widgets to phones and tablets in its first quarterly update expected later this summer. This feature, already available on Pixel Tablets, will allow users to view key information directly on their lock screen.
This update will enable lock screen support for all widgets by default. Developers will have the option to disable this feature for their specific widgets if needed. This broad support should lead to a wider adoption of lock screen widgets across the Android ecosystem. Clicking a widget that launches an app will still require unlocking the device before the action completes, but offers a quicker alternative to manually locating and opening the app.
Google announced the upcoming feature on the Android Developers Blog. Android Authority also provided an early look, showcasing the functionality ahead of its official release. Unlike Pixel Tablets, phones will display a single column of widgets, accessed by activating the screensaver. Google has stated that hardware manufacturers can customize the activation method, suggesting potential variations in implementation across different devices.
While still a few months from release, the feature appears functional based on Android Authority’s preview. Lock screen widgets exist on various operating systems, but often suffer from refresh issues and bugs. Google’s default support for lock screen widgets in Android 16 is expected to encourage both user adoption and developer focus on creating more refined and reliable widgets. This should lead to a higher-quality user experience overall.
