This is a really early have a look at lock display screen widgets in Android 15

Widgets offer you fast entry to shortcuts or data out of your favourite apps proper out of your Android house display screen. Android widgets have been round since Android model 1.5 approach again in 2009, however you possibly can solely add them to the house display screen on most gadgets. Android used to allow you to add widgets to the lock display screen as effectively, however this functionality was eliminated with Android 5.0’s launch in late 2014. Now, practically a decade later, Google is working to convey widgets again to the lock display screen within the upcoming Android 15 replace. Though the characteristic hasn’t been launched but, I managed to activate it early within the first beta to offer you a sneak peek at lock display screen widgets in Android 15.

Earlier than you see what lock display screen widgets appear like in Android 15, there are some things I want to say. First, this hands-on was recorded on a tool operating Android 15 beta 1. Beta 1 is just one of 4 deliberate beta releases, which implies so much can change between now and Android 15’s steady launch later this yr. Second, the lock display screen widget characteristic is clearly unfinished, with a number of obtrusive UI bugs. Most notably, sure UI parts from the lock display screen — such because the clock — are overlaid on high of the widgets display screen. Lastly, lock display screen widgets are at present out there solely on gadgets with help for Android’s Hub Mode characteristic. This contains choose tablets just like the Pixel Pill however excludes book-style foldables just like the Pixel Fold in addition to all Pixel smartphones.

With that out of the way in which, let’s check out the present state of lock display screen widget help in Android 15. The very first thing you must do is allow the characteristic by going to Settings > Hub mode and toggling “present widgets on lock display screen.” There’s one other toggle you possibly can flip referred to as “enable any widget on lock display screen,” which does precisely what it implies. With out this, solely widgets with classes set to KEYGUARD will be added to the lock display screen. KEYGUARD is a widget class Google launched in Android 4.2 — the model of the OS that first launched lock display screen widget help — that only a few apps make the most of at the moment.

When you’ve enabled lock display screen widgets in settings, you possibly can entry the widget space (referred to as the “glanceable hub”) by swiping inward from the correct fringe of the lock display screen. The primary time you entry the glanceable hub, you’ll see a card with a button so as to add a widget. After dismissing the cardboard as soon as, it received’t seem ever once more, however you possibly can add widgets later by long-pressing anyplace after which tapping on the “customise widgets” button that seems on the very high.

Tapping on both button opens a widget editor display screen the place widgets will be added, eliminated, or rearranged (however sadly not resized). Earlier than you possibly can entry the widget editor display screen, although, you must unlock your machine. This ensures no one else can add a widget that exhibits your personal information with out your consent. When you’ve added the widgets you need, although, you possibly can take a peek at them with out unlocking your machine.

If I needed to guess why Google is limiting lock display screen widget help to tablets operating Android 15, I’d say it’s as a result of tablets are realistically the one gadgets with massive sufficient screens to point out a number of widgets on a single web page with out resizing any of them. Samsung managed to suit widgets into the lock display screen on telephones, however it solely permits a couple of handpicked choices except you employ a separate, non-obligatory Good Lock module. A greater strategy is likely to be to maneuver the At a Look “widget” to the underside of the lock display screen and embed views from third-party apps, à la Stay Actions in iOS. There are hints that Google is making an attempt this strategy, however it stays to be seen whether or not it should observe by means of with it.

In any case, I’ll be preserving a detailed eye on the event of lock display screen widget help in Android 15 as a result of there’s nonetheless a methods to go earlier than it’s prepared for prime time.

Particular due to developer Kieron Quinn for his help in getting this characteristic working!