The lock screen is the gateway to your phone , and besides protecting it, it can be a super practical way to save time and effort. With the latest improvements to Google's system, you can now add shortcuts, adjust notifications, and customize the clock and wallpaper , all without unlocking your phone. Here, we'll explain in detail, in a user-friendly way, how to get the most out of these options on Android and what changes depending on your brand or version.
In recent versions, especially since Android 14 and with improvements that continue to evolve in subsequent releases, Google has introduced changes focused on what's called "quality of life" (QOL). These are small things that make everyday life easier: configurable shortcuts on the lock screen , automatic PIN entry, a more intuitive predictive "back" gesture, a revamped emoji editor, and quick privacy settings. If you use a Pixel or an Android device from other manufacturers, you'll want to know the steps and differences so you don't get lost.
What has changed on the Android lock screen
Up until Android 13, the lock screen shortcuts were fixed: Google Home and Google Wallet. You could show or hide them, but little else. With Android 14, Google takes a leap: now you can replace Wallet and Home with other shortcuts you prefer and adjust what appears on the lock screen with greater flexibility.
This change comes with the quarterly updates (QPR) and reinforces the idea that the lock screen is not only about security but also productivity. The key is that the buttons at the bottom of the lock screen are now customizable, even differentiating actions like "Camera" and "Video Camera" to jump directly to recording mode.
And why does this matter? Because when you're in a hurry, it's great to be able to jump straight to the mode you need without any hassle. With this distinction, along with other options like Flashlight, Mute, and Do Not Disturb , the lock screen truly adapts to your actual usage. And yes, with the Google Camera 9.0 update, switching modes within the app has become even faster.
The underlying idea is clear: more options without sacrificing security. That's why, in addition to shortcuts, Google is strengthening notification management in the lock screen with controls to hide sensitive content and display styles (bubbles, chips, or list). With these settings, you decide how much information is visible and when the screen should activate for incoming alerts.
Shortcuts available on Android: camera, QR code, mute, and more
With the new shortcut customization, you can choose from several predefined functions for the bottom left and right sides of the lock screen. Among the featured options are the following, designed for immediate actions without unlocking the device :
- Camera: Open the app directly in photo mode.
- Video camera: jumps directly into recording mode.
- Flashlight: Turns the LED light on or off quickly.
- QR code scanner: launch the code reader without going through the camera app.
- Mute: one-touch mute switch.
- Do Not Disturb: Turn DND on or off to avoid interruptions.
- Home/Device Controls: Access to compatible home automation.
- Wallet: Access to Google Wallet for payments or digital cards.
The "Camera/Video Camera" pairing is particularly noteworthy. This distinction saves valuable seconds when you want to open the camera in the correct mode and not miss the moment.
How to set up shortcuts on Pixel phones
If you have a Pixel running Android 14 or later, you can change the shortcuts from the system launcher or use apps to create them . The process is simple: press and hold on an empty space on the home screen , tap "Wallpaper & style," and then go to the lock screen section to choose left and right shortcuts.
Generic steps on Pixel (Android 14): Press and hold on the home screen to open the context menu, go to "Wallpaper & style", tap "Lock screen", find "Shortcuts" and select which function to place on each side. That's it! When you lock your phone, you'll see the buttons ready.
In Android 16 and later versions, Google adds a very visual path from within the launcher customization itself: from the same gesture of long-pressing on the home screen , tap "Style & wallpaper", swipe to "Lock screen", scroll up to see the settings and enter "Shortcuts". There you choose "Left shortcut" or "Right shortcut", select the action and confirm with "Apply".
Please note that the exact availability of features may vary depending on the phone and version. In any case, the idea remains the same: the settings are located in the Style/Wallpaper area, within the Lock Screen customization section.
Manage notifications on the lock screen
Privacy is key. Android lets you choose whether you want to see notifications on the lock screen, hide sensitive details, or prefer a more compact display style. You'll generally find these options in "Notifications" or in the lock screen section under "Wallpaper & style." You can hide confidential content from emails or chats: you'll receive the notification on many devices, but without displaying any text or sensitive information.
On Samsung phones (for example, using One UI), the path might be: Settings > Home & Lock Screen > Lock Screen > Privacy, where you choose whether to display notifications and their level of detail. Additionally, you can disable notifications in sleep mode (or adjust the "Interactive Screen" to block interaction with notifications and music) while still keeping them visible when the screen is active.
If you prefer that the screen doesn't light up when you receive a notification, disable the "Turn on screen for notifications" option. This will prevent your phone from illuminating the screen for incoming alerts, which is useful for saving battery and avoiding distractions at night or at work.
Android also lets you choose how notifications are displayed on the lock screen. There are three styles: "Bubbles" groups notifications by app and lets you preview them; "Chip" shows icons or markers for each app at a glance; and "List" offers the traditional view. The usual path is Settings > Home & Lock screen > Lock screen > Notification style. There you can switch between styles and see which one best suits your notification preferences.
Another interesting option is managing notification actions. If you don't want to see buttons like Reply, Archive, or similar on the lock screen, you can disable "Interactions in sleep mode" or go to "Interactive display" and disable "Interact with notifications and music." This limits what can be done while the screen is locked, with the aim of strengthening security.
Related to this, many devices include a "Secure Reply" setting. If enabled, you'll need to unlock your phone to reply to a message from a notification on the lock screen. Disabling it allows you to perform certain actions (like replying) without unlocking the device. Decide what you prefer, balancing convenience with content protection.
Notifications: routes and options in Android 16 and later
In Google's modern customization interface, the typical way to control notifications from the lock screen editor is: long-press on the home screen > "Style and wallpaper" > swipe to "Lock screen" > swipe up to see "Lock screen notifications" . There you can enable or disable their display and choose how they are shown: "Compact view" or "Full list".
In addition, you'll see several fine-tuning toggles: showing or hiding icons for viewed notifications, deciding whether to display silent notifications, and whether to allow sensitive content to be shown . These options provide granular control, ideal if you want a cleaner lock screen or, at the other extreme, to have all the information visible.
You can also adjust when the screen turns on: “Tap to check phone” and “Lift phone to check” activate the notification panel with a gesture. And “Turn on screen for notifications” makes the phone wake up when a new notification arrives, useful if you prefer to see everything instantly, although it will drain the battery faster.
Lock screen wallpaper: how to change it easily
Let's start with the basics. To change your lock screen background, go to Settings > Wallpaper & style, and from there open the wallpaper picker (whether it's pre-installed or saved in your gallery). The process is simple: choose the image, tap "Set as wallpaper," and apply it to your Lock screen, Home screen, or both. It's a quick adjustment that gives your screen a fresh look and reflects your style.
If you already have a favorite photo in your Gallery or Google Photos, you can also set it as your wallpaper from there: open the image, tap the menu (the three dots), and choose "Use as" > "Photo wallpaper" (or "Set as wallpaper," depending on your device). Then decide whether you want it applied to the lock screen, the home screen, or both, and confirm. In seconds, you'll have your lock screen customized to your liking.
What if you struggle to find cool wallpapers or the menu path varies on your phone? There are apps that make the process easier. A popular example is WidgetClub, which brings together ready-to-use collections and lets you change the wallpaper with a tap, as well as offering icon packs and widgets to give your phone a cohesive look.
With WidgetClub, the typical workflow is to select a template, tap the background you like, and then choose how to apply it: lock screen only, home screen only, both, or download the image. If you prefer something simple and aesthetically pleasing from the start, this option saves you time and steps.
Personalize the padlock clock
The clock takes center stage on the lock screen. Android lets you change its design, color, and size depending on your device. On Pixel, you'll find it under "Wallpaper & style"; on Samsung, under "Clock style" or "Mobile clock"; and on Xiaomi, under "Lock screen clock format." The idea is to choose a template , adjust the color and size, and apply the changes.
On Android 16 and later (Google interface), the path from the editor is: press and hold on an empty space on the home screen > “Style & wallpaper” > swipe to “Lock screen” > scroll up > “Clock”. There you will see: “Style” (to choose the template), “Color” (manual or based on the background theme), and “Size” (toggle “Large” on or off). This allows the clock to better match your background and improve readability.
Additionally, there's a setting called "Dynamic Clock" that resizes based on the content of your lock screen. If you enable notifications or nearby playback ("It's playing"), the clock can adjust to make room and keep everything tidy without anything overlapping unnecessarily.
More useful lock screen options
From Google's modern lock screen editor, you'll see a "More lock screen options" section. There you can add a line of text (for example, an emergency contact), enable "Use device controls" to manage smart home devices with your phone locked, and manage features like "It's playing" to identify nearby music. These are extras that tailor the lock's functionality to your daily needs.
A new feature specific to certain models is the ability to display the lock screen background on the Always-On Display. This function, as Google indicates, is available on specific devices such as the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. If your phone supports it, you can go to Settings > Display & touch > Always-On Display and enable “Show lock screen background” for a more seamless experience.
Fine control over when alerts are displayed
If you're bothered by your phone constantly turning on, or if you want to see everything instantly, Android offers three key behaviors: "Tap to check phone," "Lift phone to check," and "Wake screen for notifications." Experiment with them to find the balance between convenience and battery life.
A common combination is to keep "Tap to check" enabled (I turn on the screen when I want), disable "Wake screen for notifications" (so it doesn't wake up automatically), and decide if "Raise to check" makes sense for you. This reduces distractions and, incidentally, helps conserve battery life.
Security: Pattern, PIN, or password lock
Security remains the foundation of everything. On Android, you can set a lock method: pattern, PIN (four digits or more), or password (four characters or more). To change it, open Settings > “Security and privacy” > “Unlock device” and choose your preferred method. Consider your usage and the level of protection you need, prioritizing a strong password that's easy for you to remember.
If you find it tedious to constantly type your password, you can take advantage of features that simplify the process without compromising security. For example, automatic PIN entry when you complete the digits (when available) or the classic biometric unlock (fingerprint/face). The idea is to minimize friction without leaving your phone vulnerable to third parties.
Smart Lock and trusted unlocks
To make it easier to use in controlled environments, Android includes a suite of features known as Smart Lock. You have three main options: On-body detection (keeps your phone unlocked while you're carrying it), trusted places (when you're in a registered location), and trusted devices (if you're near a paired device). Used judiciously, these features save you steps in safe settings.
Even so, it's wise to be cautious. Adding a very large trusted location or a device you don't always monitor can open the door to unwanted access. It's best to combine Smart Lock with a strong PIN or password and periodically review which locations and devices you've marked as trusted to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Quick tips for choosing your ideal configuration
If you prioritize productivity: place shortcuts like Video Camera and QR Scanner, use "List" for notifications, and enable quick actions. This way, everything is at hand and you can get straight to the point without unlocking your phone.
If you value privacy above all else: enable "Hide sensitive content", disable "Activate screen for notifications", use "Chip" or "Bubbles" for a discreet view, and keep "Secure reply" enabled so that no one can reply from behind the lock.
If you're obsessed with battery life: disable automatic screen wake-up for notifications, try "Tap to check" instead of "Raise to check," and use a dark background. Combined with adjusted Always On Display (AOD), this usually results in less battery consumption throughout the day.
For a polished look: play with the clock color paired with the background, try alternative clock styles, and choose a wallpaper with good contrast. Make sure the shortcuts match your actual usage so your phone's home screen looks and feels cohesive.
Finally, if you have a Samsung phone, remember that many options are located under Settings > Home and Lock Screen > Lock Screen. Go to "Privacy," "Notification Style," and "Interactive Screen" to fine-tune what's visible, how it's displayed, and what actions are allowed without unlocking the phone. If it's a Pixel with recent versions, the "Style and Wallpaper" editor is the hub where you'll find almost everything.
Configuring shortcuts, the clock style, the background, notifications, and extras like device controls or text on the lock screen becomes a breeze. The lock screen is no longer just a static panel but a useful and personal space, striking a balance between convenience and discretion. With these settings up to date, your Android responds better to how you use your phone from the very first touch.
