The nifty little tools that used to grace our lock screens before vanishing in Android 5.0 Lollipop might be returning in Android 15, and here’s everything you need to know about this exciting development.
Mishaal Rahman, a tech sleuth extraordinaire over at Android Authority, discovered a hidden feature in the latest Android 14 beta that suggests lock screen widgets are back on the menu. This feature, dubbed “Communal Space,” allows users to add widgets to the lock screen, albeit with some limitations.
Apple’s iOS 16 release spotlighted lock screen widgets, and it seems Google might be taking a page out of their playbook.
The timing of this potential Android 15 feature coincides with Apple’s success, making it all the more intriguing.
The Current State
While the feature exists, it needs to be polished. Currently, only three widgets are supported (Google Calendar, Clock, and Google App), and the UI overlaps with the clock and notifications.
Pixel Tablet Exclusive? The “Communal Space” feature might be exclusive to devices with Hub mode, which is currently limited to the Pixel Tablet. This means standard phones might not get the same lock screen widget experience.
Potential Future
There’s hope that the “At a Glance” widget on Pixel phones might soon support third-party widgets, potentially opening the door for wider lock screen customization.
Rahman also discovered hints of a separate lock screen widget implementation that could be accessible on phones, even if the “Communal Space” feature remains tablet-specific.
Lock screen widgets in Android 15 are a distinct possibility, but managing expectations is essential.
The feature is currently in its early stages and may only be available to some at launch or even at all.
However, the evidence is promising, and the potential for increased customization and accessibility is exciting.