Android 16 QPR1 Will Introduce Lock Screen Widgets On Smartphone, Says Google

Google has announced that it will be reintroducing lock screen widgets on Android smartphones with the release of Android 16 QPR1. This feature was removed from Android smartphones for nearly a decade, with the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop.

According to the company’s blog post, "Lock screen widgets will be available in AOSP for tablets and mobile starting with the release following Android 16 (QPR1)." It seems that Pixel phones will likely be the first to receive lock screen widgets, as the post mentions that "Other device manufacturers may also update their devices once the feature is available in AOSP."

Therefore, the reintroduction of lock screen widgets is likely to be a welcome move for many Android users who have missed this functionality since its removal. These widgets enable users to access essential information and perform tasks directly from the lock screen without needing to unlock their devices.

In addition, the update introduced in Android 16 QPR1 will not only enhance the capabilities of Android phones but will also benefit third-party Android tablets, such as the OnePlus Pad and Samsung Galaxy Tab series. However, it will be up to those manufacturers to implement this feature when it becomes available.

Notably, Google has stated that device manufacturers will not be allowed to customize the appearance of lock screen widgets, which might lead some OEMs to decide against including this feature altogether.