Google Pixels could benefit from a whole new way to customize lock screens

Google has long offered a Wallpaper & Style app on its Pixel phones, allowing owners to quickly customize the look of their user interface. These customizations extend to the lock screen, but it looks like the company is working on a significant UI change in that regard.

We explored the Wallpaper & Style app running on the first Android 17 QPR3 beta and discovered a new lock screen customization page for Pixel owners. The page is largely blank at the moment (we think the lock screen will be displayed in the window), but it looks like a one-stop shop for lock screen settings. Check out our screenshot below.

This new menu has buttons at the bottom to customize wallpapers, colors, clock, widgets and “media”. This last category is new and we are unable to find more details regarding this option. However, we think it might be related to media playing on the lock screen.

For what it’s worth, the Wallpaper & Style app currently lets you swipe between the lock screen and home screen to customize them. Switch to the lock screen and you’ll see options for the clock, shortcuts (e.g. Now Reading, Google Wallet), lock screen notifications, and “More lock screen settings.” Tapping the latter reveals an expanded menu of settings. View the current menu below.

It’s unclear if the new menu will replace this old customization page. Still, we’re hoping for a more robust and intuitive lock screen customization page rather than a UI change just for the sake of it.