Senorit makes Framekin, one of the apps below. The steps for the first two ways work with any app.
A photo widget puts a picture on your home screen so you see it every time you unlock your phone. There are three ways to get one, and the right one depends on whose photos you want to see.
Way 1: the widget that came with your phone
Many phones ship a gallery or photos widget. Google's Android help gives these steps for adding any widget:
- Touch and hold an empty space on a home screen.
- Tap Widgets.
- Find the app with the widget you want, and tap the app to see its widgets.
- Touch and hold the widget and slide it to where you want it.
Google notes that some of these steps only work on Android 14 and up. A shortcut on many phones: touch and hold the app's icon and choose Widgets. To resize, touch and hold the widget, lift your finger, and drag the dots on its outline.
This way shows your own photos. It does not bring in anything new from other people.
Way 2: a photo widget app
A photo widget app shows pictures you picked from your gallery, often as a slideshow. Before you install one, check what it asks for. Does it want access to all your photos or only the ones you pick? Does it show ads? What does it cost after a trial? Read the store listing and the privacy information before you decide.
Way 3: photos sent to you
The third way is a widget that shows the newest photo from people you chose. Framekin is an Android app built for this. Someone takes a photo or a short video, picks who gets it and taps send. A few seconds later it sits in their widget.
What you get:
- Home screen widgets in several looks (Print, One friend, Window, Salon, Strip) and a countdown widget.
- Lock screen widgets, a round one and a wide one. Which phones can show lock screen widgets depends on your phone and Android version, so check your phone maker's help.
- A push message updates the widget when a photo arrives, with a scheduled refresh as a backup.
Framekin is not a slideshow of your own gallery. Nobody can send you a photo unless you added them, there are no ads and no phone number is needed. Framekin is for people aged 16 and over (13 to 15 only with a parent's or guardian's permission). New customers get a 14-day free trial of Plus and Max, after which Framekin needs a plan through Google Play.
If the widget does not update
Open Framekin once, which refreshes the widget right away. Then check whether battery optimisation restricts the app in the background: Settings, Apps, Framekin, Battery, Unrestricted. A widget showing a lock means the account is paused. The help page has the full list.
Which one should you pick
| You want to see | Pick |
|---|---|
| Your own photos | The widget from your phone |
| A slideshow of chosen photos | A photo widget app |
| The newest photo from people you love | Framekin |
| A number of days until a trip or visit | A countdown widget, see the countdown guide |
For a couple far apart, a photo widget for long distance couples goes into the daily-photo habit.
Questions and answers
How do I add a photo widget to my Android home screen?
Touch and hold an empty space, tap Widgets, pick the widget and slide it where you want it. Some steps need Android 14 or newer.
Can I put a widget on the lock screen?
Some phones allow it. It depends on your phone and Android version. Framekin offers a round and a wide lock screen widget.
Why is my widget not updating?
Open the app once, set battery use for it to Unrestricted, and check that the account is not paused.