What you need to know
- Some Android 17 users report home screen widgets disappearing after installing the stable update.
- The bug appears limited to devices that have a work profile configured on the phone.
- Google has acknowledged the issue and says a software update with a fix is already in development.
If you’re facing an issue where widgets are disappearing from your home screen after updating to Android 17, Google is already aware of the problem and says a fix is on the way.
Google released the stable Android 17 update to the public this week, and Pixel devices have already started receiving it. While the rollout has generally been smooth, shipping a major Android release without a few bugs is never easy. One issue that has surfaced affects home screen widgets for some users.
According to reports, widgets are randomly disappearing after updating to Android 17. Thankfully, the bug appears to be limited to users who have a work profile set up on their phone. If you don’t use a work profile, you’re unlikely to run into this issue.
The good news is that Google has already acknowledged the bug. Android Community Engagement Manager Mishaal Rahman confirmed on Reddit that the company is “aware of this bug (it seems to affect Work Profile users) and that a fix will be rolled out in a software update soon.”
Users affected by the issue say they lost access to their home screen widgets immediately after installing Android 17. Right now, there isn’t really a proper workaround available other than removing the work profile entirely.
If you do remove the work profile, restart the phone, and then manually re-add the widgets, they should return. However, if you rely on your work profile, you’ll unfortunately have to choose between keeping it enabled or having access to your widgets for the time being.
Google hasn’t provided a timeline for the fix yet, but based on the company’s usual update schedule, it would not be surprising to see the patch arrive with next month’s security update.
Android Central’s Take
I didn’t even know this bug existed because I don’t use a work profile, but widgets are a huge part of what makes Android feel like Android. Thankfully, Google already has a fix in the works.
