Android 16 QPR1 to bring lock screen widgets for smartphones

Google has confirmed the availability of lock screen widgets for smartphones with Android 16 QPR1. The company has relaunched the respective feature for tablets with one of the Android 15 QPR builds. Now, it is bringing the benefit to regular handsets.

While answering some users’ queries related to lock screen widgets, Google announced to rollout the new capability to smartphones with the Android 16 QPR1.

Since QRP updates mostly release in Q3, we can expect the Android 16‘s first quarterly update around mid-to-late September. The exact date will be unveiled later.

“Lock screen widgets will be available in AOSP for tablets and mobile starting with the release after Android 16 (QPR1). This update is scheduled to be pushed to AOSP in late Summer 2025. Lock screen widgets are already available on Pixel Tablets.” – says Google.

The Android maker further mentioned that app developers should ensure the lock screen widgets support dynamic color and resizing for the best user experience.

Google has already introduced “resizable” lock screen widgets for tablets. The feature is visible in the Pixel Tablets and other eligible tablets with impressive looks.

• Android 15 QPR2 could let you resize lock screen widgets

AndroidAuthority managed to trigger the lock screen widgets on phones in the Android 16 Beta 2.1. It shows a narrow 2 x 3 grid, displaying one column of a widget at a time. To access the ‘glanceable hub’, one has to place the phone on a charger.

Android 16 QPR1 to bring lock screen widgets for smartphones (Image Credits: Android Authority)

Users can access different widgets on the lock screen by swiping to the right and left. Thus, the two major differences between the lock screen widgets on phones and tablets would be the number of widgets and the screen save trigger method.

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