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Google's latest Android 17 beta lets users require authentication before changing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, or Airplane Mode from the lock screen. Previously these toggles could be altered by anyone with physical access to a locked device, without entering a passcode.
Developer pdfu, working from an iPhone Duo simulator, found a new control on the device's Lock Screen that lets users quickly disable and re-enable an active Focus mode without unlocking the phone. The toggle sits above the camera and flashlight icons, and the active Focus mode's name also now appears in the status bar near the clock. This follows other Duo-specific tweaks pdfu has uncovered, such as a relocated dock and new StandBy views.
Android Authority found a new lock screen customization page hidden in the Wallpaper & Style app on the first Android 17 QPR3 beta. The page is mostly empty but shows buttons for wallpaper, colors, clock, widgets, and a new 'media' option not seen in the current menu. Currently, Pixel owners customize lock screens through a swipe-based menu with separate settings for clock, shortcuts, and notifications.
Multiple Pixel owners, including users of the Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 8a and Pixel 8 Pro, say the September 2026 software update has broken their lock screens, preventing correct PINs or patterns from registering. Affected users describe patterns resetting mid-gesture and PIN entries being rejected after only the first digit, leaving them unable to access their phones. Troubleshooting steps like Safe Mode, cleaning the screen or reinstalling the build have not fixed the issue for at least one user, who resorted to a factory reset.
Apple's Always-On Display keeps a dimmed Lock Screen visible on supported Pro-model iPhones, but some users find it fully turns off instead of staying dimmed. The feature is limited to iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models plus the iPhone Air, and can be toggled in Settings under Display & Brightness. Several common settings issues can cause it to malfunction, each with a simple fix.
A tech guide outlines specific Windows 11 settings menus where users can turn off promotional content, including Start menu app recommendations, lock screen tips, search highlights, and personalized offers found under Settings > Recommendations & offers. It also suggests adjusting notification settings to remove 'Suggested' items and checking Installed Apps for manufacturer bloatware that can be uninstalled.
Following Google's September Pixel Drop, some Pixel owners reported being unable to unlock their phones using pattern or PIN lock screens. Affected users described failed attempts with safe mode, screen cleaning, and external mice, with several forced to factory reset their devices and lose all data. Google has reportedly been reaching out to affected users on Reddit threads.
Google has rolled out a Play services update that lets many Android 12+ phones show their IMEI number on the lock screen alongside emergency info like contacts and medical details. The feature is optional and can help prove ownership if a device is lost, especially as newer phones like the Pixel 11 series drop physical SIM trays that once displayed the number.
A Galaxy S26 Ultra owner reported on Samsung's Korean Community forum that a clock positioned in LockStar via Good Lock's ClockFace feature appeared in a completely different spot on the actual lock screen and Always-On Display. Samsung's Good Lock support team confirmed it has reproduced the bug and said its development team is investigating, while advising affected users to switch to a default clock style in the meantime.
Android Authority found new code strings in Android Canary 2609 revealing that Google's in-development AI clock feature will let users edit, delete, rate, and generate multiple custom lock screen clock styles. The strings also point to cloud backup and device-to-device transfer support, meaning custom clocks could carry over when someone switches to a new Pixel phone. The feature remains non-functional in current Canary builds, so it's still under active development.
Apple's iOS 27 update introduces the ability to shrink or expand the clock on the iPhone lock screen, building on previous features like removable controls and movable widgets. Users can now toggle between a compact clock near the top and an enlarged version that takes up roughly a third of the screen, adjustable through the Wallpaper settings menu.
Google is rolling out a Play Services update that lets a phone's IMEI number appear in emergency info accessible from the lock screen, without unlocking the device. The feature targets devices running Android 12 or newer and is meant to help identify a phone's owner if it's lost or found. Users can disable it through Settings under Security & Privacy, Lost Device Protection, and Theft Protection.