You can soon fill your iOS 16 lock screen with Google Maps and Gmail widgets

Check your Gmail from the lock screen

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The latest iPhone software update has arrived and brought several new features toApple’s services, and soonGooglewill follow suit with lock screen widgets of its own.

TheiOS 16update is giving people with an Apple smartphone from theiPhone 8up to theiPhone 14new benefits, including thereturn of battery percentagein the status bar, anundo button in iMessage, andapp widgets on the lock screen.

These widgets let you access essential services and information straight away, and are customizable so you can make the lock screen perfect for your needs.

Now Google has revealed that its iOS 16’s lock screen customization options will soon be available for its own suite of apps too.

In a post onThe Keyword blog, Google has said that six of its apps will be getting lock screen widgets.

A Google Search widget will give you the ability to search using text, voice or a snap from your camera – and includes otherGoogle Lenstricks like translate and homework help. If you’re someone with a Gmail account, a widget for that app will automatically show you how many unread messages are waiting for you, and which folder they’re in.

And if you preferGoogle Mapsto Apple’s ownmore private Maps app, then the Maps Frequent Trips widget will give you real-time updates about your most important trips (like your journey home or your commute to work). Just tap the journey you want to take andGoogle Mapswill take it from there.

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On top of these Google Chrome, Google News, and Google Drive will also be getting iOS 16 widgets.

In the blog post, Google only tells us to “look out for all these widgets in the coming weeks,” so there’s no exact timeline for when they’ll appear. But we should see these widgets get added soon, and with Google calling the run down a “sneak peek” it could be hinting that other Google iOS 16 widgets are on their way too.

If you’re looking for iOS apps you can use today check out our picks for thebest iPhone apps.

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.

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