In the constantly changing realm of Android, features frequently appear and vanish—sometimes going away for years before making a grand comeback. One such feature is the modest lockscreen widget. First introduced with Android 1.0, these widgets lost popularity and were officially eliminated in Android 5.0 Lollipop. However, almost a decade later, lockscreen widgets are making a comeback—and Samsung is at the forefront with its One UI 7 update.
Google discreetly started preparing for the return of lockscreen widgets in a beta version of Android 14, and the feature was more broadly introduced on the Pixel Tablet towards the end of 2023. Android 15 has re-established lockscreen widgets on a system level, but it’s Samsung that has stepped up to highlight them as a main feature across its devices.
With the launch of One UI 7, Samsung has woven lockscreen widgets into the essential user experience. Unlike Google, which is still slowly deploying the feature through quarterly updates, Samsung has guaranteed that all devices compatible with One UI 7 will have access to this eagerly awaited capability.
Lockscreen widgets present a distinctive combination of convenience and utility. They enable users to engage with their favorite applications and retrieve important information without the need to unlock their devices. This proves especially advantageous for swift actions such as checking the weather, managing music playback, or reviewing health metrics.
In the initial days of Android, lockscreen widgets were prevalent. However, as user authentication methods like biometrics gained ground, many users started circumventing the lockscreen, resulting in a drop in widget usage. Yet, with the emergence of ambient displays, always-on screens, and a rejuvenated emphasis on personalization, the lockscreen has regained its status as an important area.
Samsung’s One UI 7 presents a refined and highly customizable lockscreen widget experience. Users can incorporate widgets for music, weather, calendar events, smart home control, and much more. The design is sophisticated and responsive, with widgets crafted to be both practical and visually striking.
Additionally, Samsung’s Good Lock customization suite amplifies this experience, allowing users to adjust widget position, design, and functionality. Whether you prefer a minimalist interface with just a flashlight toggle or a comprehensive dashboard filled with productivity tools, One UI 7 caters to all preferences.
Google has rekindled its passion for widgets in recent times. The newly designed Pixel Weather app for the Pixel 9 displayed stunning, informative widgets that conveyed information in an easily digestible manner. Google Play has evolved as well, now allowing developers to emphasize widgets in app listings and enabling users to filter searches for widget-compatible applications.
This renewed focus is part of a larger movement toward enhancing Android’s user-friendliness and customization. Widgets have transitioned from merely decorative elements to vital instruments for boosting productivity and simplifying everyday tasks.
For numerous users, widgets have become a fundamental part of their daily activities. From swiftly launching a note-taking application like Google Keep to initiating a robot vacuum operation with a single tap, widgets offer immediate access to frequently utilized functions.
Lockscreen widgets, in particular, provide an additional layer of practicality. Picture having a YouTube Music widget readily accessible on your lockscreen, or a Strava health summary from your smartwatch set to inspire you each morning. These widgets can be customized to align with your lifestyle, transforming your phone into a more personal assistant than ever before.
With Android 15 reviving lockscreen widgets and Samsung making them a central feature in One UI 7, it’s evident that this once-overlooked feature has made a significant comeback. As more manufacturers adopt Android 15 and developers welcome the widget revival, we can anticipate even further innovations in this domain.
Whether you’re an advanced user eager to enhance your workflow or someone looking for quick access to favorite tracks, lockscreen widgets are set to become an indispensable component of the Android experience once more.
Samsung’s forward-thinking strategy with One UI 7 has placed it at the cutting edge of the lockscreen widget resurgence. While Google has established the groundwork with Android 15, it’s Samsung that has truly brought the feature to life in a meaningful manner. As widgets continue to progress, users can anticipate a more customized and efficient smartphone experience—directly from the lockscreen.
