Google is bringing back lock screen widgets to Android phones this summer. The company announced on its Android Developer Blog on Thursday that lock screen widgets will return to Android 16, confirming nearly a year of rumors that Google would be bringing the feature back to more devices. Google recently added widgets to the Pixel Tablet, but it was unclear if the company planned to roll them out to phones and more tablets.
Lock screen widgets aim to make lock screens more customizable by allowing users to manage smart home devices like lights and thermostats or access other important tools, sometimes without unlocking the device. Some widgets, such as ones that open up apps, will require authentication via fingerprint, PIN or face unlock, the company said.
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The move is part of a greater effort to make it easier for people to easily access what's most important on their devices. The company abandoned lock screen widgets nearly 11 years ago with the launch of Android 5.0 Lollipop. Apple revived interest in lock screen widgets in 2022 with iOS 16.
However, lock screen widgets won't automatically appear when running Android 16. It will be up to phone manufacturers, such as Samsung, to add the functionality through an update.
By announcing the feature on its blog, Google is giving developers time to get their apps ready for the feature when Android 16 launches.
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Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at market research firm Creative Strategies, suggested Google's decision is in part due to companies' increased emphasis on external screen accessibility.
She also noted "it's not the first time Google has gone back and forth on a feature."
For example, Google removed a feature called the app drawer, which placed all apps on the home screen, on some Android 7.0 devices only to bring it back in Android 8.0 as a swipe-up gesture.
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