Posted by Tyler Beneke – Product Supervisor, and Lucas Silva – Software program Engineer
Widgets are actually out there in your Pixel Pill lock screens! Lock display widgets empower customers to create a customized, always-on expertise. Whether or not you wish to simply handle sensible dwelling gadgets like lights and thermostats, or construct dashboards for fast entry and management of significant info, this weblog put up will reply your key questions on lock display widgets on Android. Learn on to find when, the place, how, and why they will be on a lock display close to you.

Q: When will lock display widgets be out there?
A: Lock display widgets will likely be out there in AOSP for tablets and cellular beginning with the discharge after Android 16 (QPR1). This replace is scheduled to be pushed to AOSP in late Summer time 2025. Lock display widgets are already out there on Pixel Tablets.
Q: Are there any particular necessities for widgets to be allowed on the lock display?
A: No, widgets allowed on the lock display have the identical necessities as some other widgets. Widgets on the lock display ought to observe the identical high quality pointers as dwelling display widgets together with high quality, sizing, and configuration. If a widget launches an exercise from the lock display, customers should authenticate to launch the exercise, or the exercise ought to declare android:showWhenLocked=”true” in its manifest entry.
Q: How can I take a look at my widget on the lock display?
A: Presently, lock display widgets may be examined on Pixel Pill gadgets. You’ll be able to allow lock display widgets and add your widget.
Q: Which widgets may be displayed on this expertise?
A: All widgets are appropriate with the lock display widget expertise. To prioritize person alternative and customization, we have made all widgets out there. For the very best expertise, please ensure that your widget helps dynamic colour and dynamic resizing. Lock display widgets are sized to roughly 4 cells vast by 3 cells tall on the launcher, however precise dimensions range by machine.
Q: Can my widget opt-out of the expertise?
A:Vital: Apps can select to limit using their widgets on the lock display utilizing an opt-out API. To opt-out, use the widget class “not_keyguard” in your appwidget data xml file. Place this file in an xml-36 useful resource folder to make sure backwards compatibility.
Q: Are there any CDD necessities particularly for lock display widgets?
A: No, there are not any particular CDD necessities solely for lock display widgets. Nonetheless, it is essential to make sure that any widgets and screensavers that combine with the framework adhere to the usual CDD necessities for these options.
Q: Will lock display widgets be enabled on current gadgets?
A: Sure, lock display widgets have been launched on the Pixel Pill in 2024 Different machine producers could replace their gadgets as properly as soon as the function is obtainable in AOSP.
Q: Does the machine have to be docked to make use of lock display widgets?
A: The mechanism that triggers the lock display widget expertise is customizable by the OEM. For instance, OEMs can select to make use of charging or docking standing as triggers. Third-party OEMs might want to implement their very own posture detection if desired.
Q: Can OEMs set their very own default widgets?
A: Sure! {Hardware} suppliers can pre-set and routinely show default widgets.
Q: Can OEMs customise the person interface for lock display widgets?
A: Customization of the lock display widget person interface by OEMs isn’t supported within the preliminary launch. All lock display widgets could have the identical developer expertise on all gadgets.
Lock display widgets are poised to provide your customers new methods to work together together with your app on their gadgets. At the moment you may leverage your current widget designs and experiences on the lock display with Pixel Tablets. To study extra about constructing widgets, please try our assets on developer.android.com
This weblog put up is a part of our collection: Highlight Week on Widgets, the place we offer assets—weblog posts, movies, pattern code, and extra—all designed that can assist you design and create widgets. You’ll be able to learn extra within the overview of Highlight Week: Widgets, which will likely be up to date all through the week.