This summer, Google plans to restore lock screen widgets to Android smartphones. After almost a year of speculation that Google would be reintroducing the feature to more devices, the company confirmed on its Android Developer Blog on Thursday that lock screen widgets will be back in Android 16. It was unclear whether Google intended to expand the widgets to other tablets and phones after adding them to the Pixel Tablet.

By enabling users to control smart home appliances like lights and thermostats or access other crucial tools, often without unlocking the smartphone, lock screen widgets seek to increase the customization of lock screens. Certain widgets, such those that launch applications, will need to be authenticated using a fingerprint, PIN, or face unlock.See also: 2025’s Top Android Phone

The action is a component of a larger initiative to facilitate users’ access to the most crucial information on their devices. With the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop about 11 years ago, the firm stopped using lock screen widgets. With iOS 16, Apple rekindled interest in lock screen widgets.

On Android 16, however, lock screen widgets won’t show up immediately. Manufacturers of phones, like Samsung, will be responsible for adding the feature via an update.

Google is giving developers time to prepare their apps for the functionality when Android 16 debuts by revealing it on its blog.

See also: Android Phone Security and Privacy Features You Should Be Aware ofAccording to Carolina Milanesi, a market research researcher at Creative Strategies, Google’s choice was partly influenced by businesses’ growing focus on external screen accessibility.

She said that “it’s not the first time Google has gone back and forth on a feature.”

For instance, on some Android 7.0 devices, Google eliminated the app drawer function, which put all applications on the home screen. However, in Android 8.0, the feature was restored as a swipe-up motion.