Google is finally rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 to supported Pixel devices, bringing a host of new features. Among these features is the return of Lock screen widgets, which are finally available after a long time since they were first spotted in the previous Pixel QPR Betas.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 brings a new Widgets on lock screen toggle. When enabled, it initiates Hub Mode upon swiping left on the lock screen, similar to Today View on iOS. The Hub mode is a separate space for adding both system and third-party app widgets.
Right now, users can add three widgets per page, and there appears to be no limit on the number of pages they can have. The widgets cannot be resized width-wise at the moment, which is a bummer.
Hub mode seems to be Google's way of letting users access information on the go when their device is charging. For example, the Maps widget lets you check the traffic in your area at a glance, which is similar to the Apple Maps widget on iOS' Today View.
Similarly, users can have a Gmail widget to check their latest emails, a YouTube Music widget to control their music or a Calendar widget to stay updated on their schedule. Editing or tapping a widget requires the device to be unlocked. Overall, the process is very similar to adding lock screen widgets on the Pixel Tablet, which has had the feature for quite some time.
Besides, Lock screen widgets, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 also adds Auto-themed app icons, expands identity check to more apps and an Expanded dark theme option.
The update is rolling out to Android 16-supported Pixel phones enrolled in the Beta program, starting from the Pixel 6 all the way to the latest Pixel 10 series that launched yesterday. If you aren't enrolled, here's how you can install the latest Android 16 beta on your device. Since this is the first Beta of QPR2, expect Google to roll out many fixes for all the critical bugs and glitches a few weeks down the line. Stay tuned as we will be covering all the new features that are headed our way.
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