Google Gives Sneak Peak of iOS 16's Friendly Widgets for iPhone Lock Screens

iPhones that can run iOS 16 worldwide will soon have Google widgets on their lock screens.

Google recently announced that the lock screens of iOS 16-capable iPhones would soon be able to sport its widgets, allowing users to access Google's applications with just a tap without opening their phone.

The company did not disclose when these widgets will be available to users of ios16-capable phones, though it mentioned it would be in the coming weeks.

Google Widgets Sneak Peek Details

Google mentioned in its announcement that iOS 16 w come with widgets that would give iPhone users quick access to the company's many offerings, such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Drive.

According to the California-based search giant, iPhone users can unlock their device to access their favorite Google features and see some updates with just a tap on the phone's lock screen.

These widgets can also come in three sizes: circular and rectangular, which will appear below the lock screen's clock, and inline, which is located above the clock and takes the form of a line of text and symbols, per Tech Crunch.

Although Google did not mention the exact number of widgets that would be available for iPhones with iOS 16, it did reveal a few applications that do.

For starters, iPhone users can look forward to searching anything from their lock screen with Google Search's widget. It could even be configured to start searching with their voice or their phone camera for various needs, such as translation.

Having Google Chrome installed on an iPhone with iOS 16 will also create a widget for it, allowing users to quickly launch Chrome, start a search with their voice, or open incognito mode.

iPhone users could even play Chrome's dino game directly if they so wish with just a tap of the Chrome widget.

The same is also true for Google Drive's widget, which allows iPhone users to open a suggested Drive file or starred files and folders with a tap.

Navigating unfamiliar places has also become easier with an iPhone, thanks to Google Maps' upcoming widget. With this, users can get real-time traffic updates and estimated travel times from their lock screen.

The Google Maps widget also contains quick access widgets for restaurants, shops, cafes, and even hotels. A tap on the Google Maps Search widget provides access to these additional widgets.

Google also added a widget for Google News and Gmail, providing users a way to keep themselves updated with the latest happenings and messages to their Gmail inbox.

Google also said that users could customize Gmail's lock screen widget to see which inbox categories, like Social or Updates, contain new messages.

Google iOS 16 Widget Availability

Google mentioned that the previously mentioned widgets would be available for iPhones with iOS 16 "in the coming weeks," with the company advising iPhone users to download and install their favorite Google apps on their device with iOS 16 to prepare for the widgets' arrival.

Once the widgets arrive, pressing and holding down the iPhone's lock screen will allow users to start customizing it to their preference.

Apple's iOS 16 is set to be released by Apple on September 12, per MacRumors.