Google Simplifies Widget Discovery on the Play Store
Google is making it easier for Android users to find and explore widgets by introducing several new features aimed at improving how widgets are discovered on the Play Store. On Monday, Google revealed plans to add a dedicated widget search filter, visual badges on app information pages indicating widget availability, and a curated editorial section highlighting top widgets and the apps that offer them.
According to Yinka Taiwo-Peters, a Google product manager, one of the main obstacles developers face when creating widgets has been making sure users can actually find and understand them. She noted that Google has listened to feedback from developers asking for better ways to showcase widgets and has responded by building these new tools to help users discover and use widgets more easily.
The new “Widgets” search filter will be prominently placed at the top of relevant search results, so users can quickly spot which apps provide widgets. Alongside this, Google will add a clear badge on an app’s detail page as a visual cue to show whether it includes widget functionality. To further educate users about the benefits and uses of widgets, Google will also launch a curated editorial page that features collections of standout widgets and highlights the apps that support them.
While Google has yet to provide an exact timeline for when these changes will be available, Taiwo-Peters mentioned they are expected to arrive soon on Google Play across Android phones, tablets, and foldable devices.
In addition to the Android-specific updates, Google also introduced widget improvements for iOS users. For example, the Gemini app on iOS now offers new lock-screen widgets that allow users to type prompts, activate voice mode, open the microphone or camera, and share images or files directly from the lock screen. These updates show Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance widget functionality across platforms.
