Google to Bring Lock Screen Widgets on Smartphones With Android 16 QPR1: All Details
Google is reportedly gearing up to introduce lock screen widgets with the Android 16 QPR1 update, promising a more personalized and functional experience right from your phone's sleep screen. This long-awaited feature is set to revolutionize how we interact with our devices at a glance, bringing essential information and quick actions directly to our fingertips. Check out all details here.

Android 16 QPR1 Lock Screen Widget Program
The company emphasized that lock screen widgets allow users to customize their devices' experiences in a new frequently asked questions page for "Widgets on lock screen." They have access to widgets that allow them to view important information, set alarms, check the time, read stock updates, and even control smart home appliances like thermostats and lights.
Google claims that after Android 16 QPR1 is released, lock screen widgets will be accessible in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for smartphones and tablets. In late summer 2025, the update itself is expected to be pushed to AOSP. However, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will not be able to customize the lock screen widget's user interface in its initial release. Therefore, regardless of the device, the developer experience will be the same. On their individual devices, they can, nevertheless, preset and show default widgets.
In the meantime, it is possible to customize the widget triggering mechanism. According to Google, OEMs have the option of using docking or charging status as widget triggers. Additionally, third-party OEMs have the option to use their own posture detection system.
Although their precise measurements are said to differ by device, the widgets are anticipated to be around 4 x 3 cells on the launcher. Google recommends that developers incorporate dynamic color and resizing into their widgets to give users the best possible experience. They have to adhere to the same quality standards for configuration, sizing, and quality as home screen widgets.
The Pixel Tablet devices that gained support after the December 2024 release of Android 15 QPR2 will be the first platforms on which developers can test their widgets.