Android phones to get lock screen widgets with a new update

Big news for Android fans! Google is bringing lock-screen widgets to phones with an update called Android 16 QPR1, expected around September 2025. This fun feature, already available on Pixel Tablets since December with Android 15 QPR1, is now expanding to mobile devices too.

So, what’s this all about? Lock screen widgets let you see handy info—like weather, calendar events, or music controls—right on your phone’s lock screen without unlocking it. Google announced this change as part of their “widget week” for developers, saying it’ll hit the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) after Android 16 drops. That means it should roll out in late summer 2025, though Google calls it their “25Q3” release, focused on new features.

Other phone makers, like Samsung or OnePlus, might add this to their devices once it’s ready in AOSP. However, at first, they won’t be able to tweak how the widgets look. Google’s keeping the design the same across all phones for now, so developers can expect a smooth experience no matter the device.

This isn’t new—Android had lock screen widgets way back in 2012 with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but they disappeared after Android 5.0 Lollipop. Now, they’re making a comeback! Tablets got them first, and soon, your phone could too. Imagine checking your next meeting or skipping a song without even unlocking your screen—pretty cool, right?

Google’s timing lines up with its plans to keep Android fresh and exciting. While this update won’t bring new developer tools (those are saved for later in 25Q4), it’s a nice perk for users. Whether you’ve got a Pixel or another Android phone, this could make your lock screen way more useful. Keep an eye out next summer for this handy upgrade!