Google is reviving lock screen widgets for Android, sparking curiosity about their practical use. This recent development is significant, as it reintegrates a popular feature that many users fondly remember. Lock screen widgets were once a staple of the Android experience, but after being phased out, many users, including myself, didn’t miss them. However, technology trends often come back around, and now these widgets are making a comeback.
Last year, Google introduced lock screen widgets with the Pixel Tablet, and recently announced they will be available on both Android phones and tablets with the Android 16 QPR1 update. The implementation may differ across devices, as manufacturers have their own styles and functionalities. Nonetheless, it’s a positive move to officially incorporate them back into Android, especially since various brands have been experimenting with their unique versions for some time.
I’ve been using the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, which includes lock screen widget support through its Nothing OS 3.0. While setting it up, I faced a dilemma about which widgets to use. Eventually, I decided on weather and battery information, along with a compass and a time zone widget, particularly since I was using the device while traveling in Barcelona for an event. After returning home, I replaced those with a “Screen time” widget because I found it both engaging and useful. However, this limitation is noteworthy; Much like Samsung users, I could only use widgets that were created specifically for Nothing OS, limiting my options.
One of the advantages of Google’s folded-in solution is that it is expected to support a broader range of widgets. The Pixel Tablet allows for flexibility in this regard, and it seems that mobile versions might follow suit, allowing a mix of third-party widgets.
Despite this promising revival, I find myself using fewer widgets overall. Nowadays, I mainly rely on Google’s “At a Glance” widget, which consolidates essential information like the date, weather, and calendar appointments. There seems to be a decline in the number of innovative Android widgets, partly due to reduced emphasis on them in recent years. Google has acknowledged the need for good widgets and pointed out what distinguishes them from less effective designs.
This brings us to a key question: What widgets would you like to see on your Android phone’s lock screen? Are there specific ones that you think would enhance your experience, or are there entirely new features you wish could be developed?
This weekend’s Mobile World Congress showcased numerous announcements related to Android, including the launch of the Nothing Phone (3a) series and Xiaomi’s global debut of the Xiaomi 15. Some exciting Android figures were also featured at the event.
Google also rolled out a feature update for Pixel devices, introducing various enhancements to the Pixel lineup, Pixel Watch, and Android in general.
In another recent development, Google has launched YouTube Premium Lite in the United States. This new subscription plan, priced at $7.99 per month, will remove ads from videos but will not include offline viewing or background playback options.
These various updates to both lock screen widgets and other features exemplify how Android is evolving and adapting to meet users’ needs, reigniting interests in tools that users may have overlooked in recent years.