With Android 15, lock screen widgets might get a second chance،
Android is the most widely used smartphone operating system in the world, with over 70% of the population being Android users. The recent Android 14 release is still gradually reaching supported devices, but the tech community is already abuzz with rumors about the upcoming Android 15.
One notable speculation concerns the potential return of lock screen widgets, as reported by Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority. By examining the code in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3, Rahman discovered references hinting at support for widgets on the lock screen, pointing to a possible revival in Android 15.
The reintroduction of lock screen widgets into Android 15 could take two paths: integration into the existing “At a glance” functionality or a new “common space”. Rahman envisions this common area as a separate area, likely accessible by swiping your finger from right to left on the lock screen. In this space, users can organize and add multiple widgets, similar to iOS's Today view.
Rahman also speculates that the common space could be adapted for larger devices, as screenshots of a Pixel tablet illustrate. A more limited version of lock screen widgets could work via “At a glance”. For those unfamiliar, Pixel phones have a widget on the home screen and lock screen called At a Glance.
The exploration of Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 revealed the activation of the unfinished common space. However, it was evident that the feature was still in progress. Google Calendar, Google Clock, and the Google app had widgets available, but native support for widgets from other apps was lacking.
Rahman highlighted the importance of the KEYGUARD category for an app to appear as a widget, a category introduced in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean but rarely used because the lock screen has not supported displaying widgets for nearly 'a decade.
The decision to bring back lock screen widgets is actually not that surprising. This was an important feature in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but it disappeared in Android 5.0 Lollipop. Additionally, Apple's integration of widgets into the iPhone's lock screen in iOS 16 likely influenced this potential revival.
Google is obviously exploring the idea of incorporating widgets into future Android lock screen releases. However, the final appearance and whether it will be part of Android 15 remain uncertain.
