Google is working on customizable lockscreen shortcuts on Android

Google is working on a possibility to customize shortcuts on the lock screen. Now those are two fixed shortcuts, but users will have more choice in a future release, according to code in the operating system. Samsung’s One UI can already do that.

Source: 9to5Google

The code is in the QPR2 beta, writes 9to5Google. That is the version that will probably be released around March for Pixel phones. Other brands can use the system under the name Keyguard Quick Affordances.

Now there are fixed shortcuts to the camera and Google Wallet on Pixel phones, but users get more choices, such as turning on the LED flash as a flashlight or a QR code scanner. Users cannot put any app as a shortcut on the lock screen; this is a limited list.

This has been possible for some time in Samsung’s One UI Android shell and users can choose from all apps. However, many apps require the user to unlock the device before they can open the app. This is not necessary with, for example, the camera app or turning on the flash.