It’s an exciting time for Pixel owners now, as Google just rolled out the latest QPR (Quarterly Platform Release). It’s the second QPR for Android 13, and it foreshadows some interesting features coming to Android. According to 9To5Google, Google may soon let Pixel users customize their lock screen widgets.
As it stands, Google gives you quick access to two functions right from your lock screen, and these are shortcuts. You’re able to access your cards in your Google Wallet (the full app on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro) and control your Google Home devices. These are extremely convenient if you’re in line at the store or you need to quickly turn on your smart lights.
The only issue is that these are the only options that you have. The only way that you can customize your lock screen shortcuts is to either enable or disable them.
But, Google might let Pixel users customize their lock screen shortcuts
This was discovered in the latest QPR for Android, so you’ll want to take this news with a grain of salt. Hidden within the code, we see some new strings that read:
<string name=”lockscreen_quick_affordances_title”>Shortcuts</string>
<string name=”keyguard_affordance_enablement_dialog_message”>To add the %1$s app as a shortcut, make sure</string>
<string name=”keyguard_slot_name_bottom_start”>Left button</string>
<string name=”keyguard_slot_name_bottom_end”>Right button</string>
Judging by the hidden strings, it looks like you’ll be able to choose from the aforementioned options as well as the camera, flashlight, and QR reader. That’s not as robust as what we see from Samsung and formerly LG, but it’s a step in the right direction.
You have access to the QR code reader and your flashlight from the Quick Settings, but this method just eliminates your having to access it. As for the camera, you quickly launch the camera using a double-press of the power button, so having a lock screen shortcut might not save all that much time.
Hopefully, in the future, Google will add more applications and functions to the shortcuts. Some Android skins allow you to select any app from your phone to assign as a shortcut. That would be extremely useful for accessing the apps that you use the most.
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