Google has reintroduced lock screen widgets to the Pixel Tablet as part of the December Pixel Feature Drop with the release of Android 15 QPR2. The arrival of lock screen widgets on the Pixel Tablet had us wondering if Google would bring them back to phones as well. Now, it has been confirmed that lock screen widgets will indeed be returning to phones in the near future.
Google recently shared a new FAQ regarding widgets on lock screens and confirmed that they will be making a comeback on phones in the upcoming months. The wording about the timing of this change may be a bit confusing, but essentially, lock screen widgets will be available on both tablets and mobile devices after the release of Android 16 (QPR1). This update is expected to be rolled out to AOSP in late summer 2025. Lock screen widgets are already accessible on Pixel Tablets.
The timeline for Android 16 suggests that it will be released in Q2, possibly at Google I/O in May, followed by the beta version of Android 16 QPR1 shortly after. With this accelerated timeline for Android 16, we can expect to receive a stable version of QPR1 sooner than usual, along with the update that will enable widgets on phones and other tablets besides the Pixel Tablet. It is also possible that the wording of the announcement indicates that we will receive lock screen widgets in QPR1 of Android 16, following the general release of Android 16.
In any case, lock screen widgets will be making a comeback on phones this year with Android 16.