Posted by Tyler Beneke – Product Supervisor, and Lucas Silva – Software program Engineer
Widgets are actually accessible in your Pixel Pill lock screens! Lock display widgets empower customers to create a personalised, always-on expertise. Whether or not you need to simply handle good residence gadgets like lights and thermostats, or construct dashboards for fast entry and management of important data, 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’re going to be on a lock display close to you.
Q: When will lock display widgets be accessible?
A: Lock display widgets will probably be accessible in AOSP for tablets and cell 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 accessible 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 comply with the identical quality guidelines as residence 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: At present, lock display widgets might be examined on Pixel Pill gadgets. You’ll be able to enable lock screen widgets and add your widget.
Q: Which widgets might be displayed on this expertise?
A: All widgets are appropriate with the lock display widget expertise. To prioritize consumer alternative and customization, we have made all widgets accessible. For one of the best expertise, please ensure that your widget helps dynamic shade and dynamic resizing. Lock display widgets are sized to roughly 4 cells large by 3 cells tall on the launcher, however precise dimensions differ by system.
Q: Can my widget opt-out of the expertise?
A:Essential: Apps can select to limit the usage of their widgets on the lock display utilizing an opt-out API. To opt-out, use the widget class “not_keyguard” in your appwidget information 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. Nevertheless, 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 had been launched on the Pixel Pill in 2024 Different system producers might replace their gadgets as nicely as soon as the characteristic is obtainable in AOSP.
Q: Does the system 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 robotically show default widgets.
Q: Can OEMs customise the consumer interface for lock display widgets?
A: Customization of the lock display widget consumer interface by OEMs isn’t supported within the preliminary launch. All lock display widgets may have the identical developer expertise on all gadgets.
Lock display widgets are poised to present your customers new methods to work together along with your app on their gadgets. At the moment you’ll be able to leverage your current widget designs and experiences on the lock display with Pixel Tablets. To study extra about constructing widgets, please take a look at our sources on developer.android.com
This weblog put up is a part of our sequence: Highlight Week on Widgets, the place we offer sources—weblog posts, movies, pattern code, and extra—all designed that can assist you design and create widgets. You’ll be able to read more in the overview of Spotlight Week: Widgets, which will probably be up to date all through the week.
