Force stopping an Android 15 app will also temporarily kill its widgets

Android 15
(Image credit: Future)

Occasionally, Android apps have issues, and it becomes necessary to shut them down. Generally, when you do this, any widgets that you've set up will continue working. 

As spotted by Android Police, Google put an update on its developer website outlining how forcing-stopping apps is changing for Android 15

Now, when an app is force-stopped, any connected widgets will be temporarily disabled and greyed out. The reason is that if an app is causing problems, just closing the app itself might not solve the problem, especially if the widget is why the app is acting weird.

The temporary disabling happens as Android stops the app's pending intents. While this happens, the widgets won't work until the app they're connected to is relaunched. The relaunch can be accomplished directly by tapping its icon or indirectly through the Share menu within another app.

For most Android users, this will just affect when they force-stop an app. On a more significant level, it's meant for developers to help them find out where issues might be stemming from when app code acts up.

The update from Google on the developer site listed several other behavior changes coming to Android 15. Some of these include updating apps for Private Space, which lets users hide files and folders as they want for privacy, and updates to the system UI.

Google has not officially announced a release date for Android 15 software. However, Google usually launches Android updates in early fall, around September, though Android 14 did appear in October, closer to the launch of the Pixel phones.

That's our best guess. In the meantime, various Android 15 beta programs will appear throughout the summer if you're interested in trying out the future of the OS before it drops to the masses.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. 

Read more
android 16 lock screen widgets for android tablets
Google’s bringing lock screen widgets back to Android phones this summer — here's what we know
The Android 15 logo from the Android developer website, displayed on a Pixel 8 Pro
Android 15's getting some crucial fixes for Pixel phones — here's what's coming
Google Maps
Google Maps just got a huge iPhone-inspired upgrade with Android 16 beta — here's how it works
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 could finally force all apps into dark mode — here's how
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 could come with this key navigation change — and another new volume slider
OnePlus Open held in the hand.
Android 16 could bring triple-app multitasking — what you need to know
Latest in Android Phones
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
One of Apple’s most controversial AI features could be coming to Android phones
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders could come with a free Google TV Streamer — what we know
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
The iPhone 16 Pro Max (L) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras
I took 200 macro photos with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro — here's the winner
Latest in News
iPhone 17 Air render
New leaked iPhone 17 dummy units show off super-thin iPhone 17 Air with this surprising design tweak
Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin in "Picture This" now streaming on Prime Video
Prime Video top 10 has 3 must-watch movies — including a bubbly romcom starring 'Bridgerton's' Simone Ashley
(L-R) Josh Hartnett as Cooper and Ariel Donoghue as Riley in "Trap"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
Apple WWDC 2025: iOS 19 and everything we know so far
Siri
Siri 2.0 features reportedly only working ‘two-thirds to 80% of the time’
Jack Draper in action at Indian Wells 2025
How to watch Indian Wells men’s and women’s finals: live stream tennis online