Google Pixels could get an all-new way to customize lock screens, for better or for worse

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

We dug into 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’re guessing the lock screen will be shown in the window), but it looks like a one-stop shop for lock screen tweaks. Check out our screenshot below.

This new menu has buttons at the bottom for customizing wallpapers, colors, the clock, widgets, and “media.” The latter category is new, and we’re unable to find more details regarding this option. However, we’re guessing that this could be related to media playback 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 Playing, Google Wallet), lock screen notifications, and “More lock screen settings.” Tapping the latter reveals an expanded menu of settings. Check out the current menu below.

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