Lockscreen widgets might make a comeback with Android 15

Google is reportedly working on bringing back lock screen widgets to Android, but there are a few caveats.

Android lock screen widgets | Android 15 features | Android lock screen

Google might bring back lock screen widgets with Android 15, but not in a way you think. (Image Source: Google)

Google might bring back one of the best-known Android features of all time. A piece of code spotted in the Android 15 beta release hints that the tech giant is reportedly working on reintroducing the ability to add widgets on the lock screen.

Android has had lock screen widgets since its first public release of Android 1.5 Cupcake but were removed for some reasons unknown with the Android 5.0 Lollipop release. Years later, Apple introduced a similar functionality to iOS and iPadOS-powered devices like the iPhone and iPad.

According to a recent report by Android Authority, Google is working on two approaches. The first one requires users to swipe inward from the right of the lock screen, which opens a bunch of options on the right side of the screen which allows users to add widgets like Google Lock and Calendar.

The report also suggested that it may be because apps that can show widgets on the lock screen require a category called KEYGUARD, the same trigger Google used in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. While the lock screen displayed widgets without having to unlock the screen, it looks like the feature is under development as the clock is overlapping the widgets.

Also Read | Ubisoft announces new Plus Premium subscription, brings classic games to PC

It looks like the feature is still under development. (Mishaal Rehman/Android Authority)

Moreover, the lock screen widgets may be limited to the Pixel Tablet or Android devices with large screens that support hub mode. It is also possible that Google might design the feature in such a way that the system will only display widgets that are safe to show on an Android device with multiple users.

Another way Google might bring lock screen widgets to lock screen is via the ‘At a Glance’ widget. Since it is technically not a widget but behaves like one, Google might make use of the Smartspace API that powers the feature. While it currently does not support the RemoteView API which widgets are based on, Google seems to be working on integrating it with Smartspace.

However, the tech giant may change things down the line, so we will have to wait and see if Android 15 brings back lock screen widgets.

Tags:
Android
Google