Google Play Store Improves Widget Discovery for Android Apps

Finding Android apps with great widgets has always been a challenge. That's changing thanks to Google's announcement of new Play Store features designed to boost widget discoverability.

The Play Store is introducing a dedicated widget search filter. Now, when searching for apps, you can filter results to show only those with included widgets. It remains unclear whether this filter automatically detects widgets or requires developers to explicitly mark their apps as widget-enabled.

Apps supporting widgets will also display a widget badge on their detail pages. As Google stated in its developer blog, this helps users quickly identify apps with widgets, encouraging greater usage.

Furthermore, a new Play Store page will showcase apps with widgets, categorized by type (e.g., productivity, entertainment). This curated section aims to highlight excellent widgets and increase their visibility.

These improvements are rolling out to the Android Play Store on phones, tablets, and foldables. However, Chromebooks (which currently lack widget support for installed Android apps) and the desktop Play Store website are not included in this update.

Google acknowledges past developer frustration with creating widgets that often went unnoticed. New resources for developers are also being released to help create more effective and discoverable widgets.

Android's home screen widget support dates back to 2008, a key differentiator from iOS until Apple introduced similar functionality in iOS 14 (2020) and expanded it with lock screen widgets in iOS 16 (2022).

This update benefits both developers and users. Developers see increased widget usage, while users can easily find apps with the widget functionality they desire. While not always necessary, widget-based app searching can be highly beneficial, especially for productivity apps. For instance, if you need a notes app with always-visible home screen access, this filter will streamline your search.

Related: The 10 Best Android Widgets I Can't Live Without

Widgets: Because who needs app shortcuts?

Google emphasizes the importance of widgets in a developer blog post, describing them as "small but mighty UI elements" that enhance app engagement by providing quick access to core features from the home screen, lock screen, or even digital assistants.

The new Play Store features—including the dedicated widget page, search filter, and app badges—are currently rolling out. If you don't see them yet, check back later.

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