I spend a lot of time customizing my Android phones, whether it’s changing the home screen layout, experimenting with widgets, or finding little features that make everyday tasks easier. But I haven’t paid much attention to one part of my Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: the lock screen. More specifically, those two tiny shortcuts sitting at the bottom corners.
They might not look particularly exciting, but Google actually lets you replace them with something far more useful. From turning on the flashlight to scanning QR codes or controlling smart home devices, you have plenty of options. Once you figure out which ones work best for you, you’ll be surprised how often you end up using them.
Those two little buttons can do more than you think
Your lock screen doesn’t have to be just a pretty wallpaper
Whenever I get a new phone, one of the first things I do is customize its lock screen. I usually start with the wallpaper, experiment with different clock styles, and adjust how notifications appear. After all, it’s the first thing I see whenever I pick up my phone, so I might as well make it look nice. However, I’ve realized a useful, practical lock screen is just as important as a good-looking one.
On a Pixel, you get two shortcut slots at the bottom of the lock screen, one on either side. Depending on how your phone is configured, these might already be assigned to features such as the camera, wallet, or smart home controls. But the good news is that you’re not stuck with them.
Google lets you choose from several shortcuts, including Wallet, Home controls, QR code scanner, flashlight, Do Not Disturb, mute, camera, and video camera. You can even leave a slot empty if you’d rather have a cleaner lock screen.
What makes these shortcuts particularly handy is that you don’t have to unlock your phone, find an app, and navigate through menus just to get started. You can simply tap and hold the shortcut to launch the selected feature, though some actions may still require authentication.
And while saving a few taps might not sound like a big deal, it makes a difference when you’re doing the same things several times throughout the day. There’s also a good reason to reconsider keeping the camera shortcut. Your Pixel already lets you launch the camera by double-pressing the power button, even when the screen is locked. So, unless you particularly prefer the on-screen shortcut, you could use that space for something else. That’s one of the first changes I’d recommend making.
I’d use these two shortcuts instead
A flashlight and QR scanner make a surprisingly useful combination
With several options available, picking just two might seem a little tricky. But I think the easiest way to decide is to consider which features you regularly need when you’re in a hurry. For me, the flashlight is an obvious choice for one of the corners.
Whether I’m looking for something under the couch, trying to find my keys in the dark, or dealing with a power cut, it’s one of those features that comes in handy. Sure, I can access it from Quick Settings, but having it directly on the lock screen means one less step. For the other corner, I’d go with the QR code scanner.
QR codes are everywhere these days. From restaurant menus and event tickets to websites and Wi-Fi connections, I regularly find myself needing to scan one. And while I could simply open the camera and point it at the code, having a dedicated shortcut makes the process feel a little more intentional and somehow faster.
The best part is that neither shortcut takes up space on my home screen. They’re available when I need them, without adding another icon to an already busy layout. However, your ideal combination might be completely different.
If you have smart lights, plugs, or other compatible devices connected to Google Home for smart home automations, the Home controls shortcut could be more useful than a QR scanner. Similarly, if you regularly access cards and passes stored in Google Wallet, having Wallet on the lock screen might save you a few extra steps.
I also think Do Not Disturb and mute are worth considering. They’re particularly useful if you frequently switch between meetings, work sessions, and personal time and want a quick way to silence your phone since the Pixel doesn’t have an Action button. The point isn’t that everyone should use the same two shortcuts. It’s that those buttons should be doing something useful for you, rather than sitting there with functions you rarely touch.
Changing them takes less than a minute
Everything you need is already built into your Pixel
Thankfully, Google hasn’t made this particularly complicated. You don’t need a third-party launcher, an additional app, or any complicated workaround to customize these shortcuts. Here’s how to change them:
- Touch and hold an empty area on your Pixel’s home screen and select Wallpaper & style.
- Switch to the Lock screen tab if it isn’t already selected.
- Swipe up to reveal more customization options and tap Shortcuts.
- Select Left shortcut or Right shortcut at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the shortcut icon you want to assign to that position.
- Repeat the process for the other shortcut, then tap Apply to save your changes.
That’s it. The next time you wake your Pixel, you’ll see your chosen shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen.
One thing worth remembering is that you need to touch and hold these buttons rather than simply tapping them. This helps prevent accidental activations when you’re handling your phone.
8/10
- Brand
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Google
- SoC
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Google Tensor G6
- Display
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6.8-inch Super Actua display
- RAM
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12 or 16GB
Your lock screen deserves a little attention, too
It’s easy to spend hours customizing your Pixel’s home screen while completely overlooking the lock screen. But since we wake our phones so often throughout the day, those two tiny buttons can be surprisingly useful.
And since changing them takes barely any effort, it’s worth experimenting with different combinations until you find what works best for you. Sometimes, the smallest customizations end up being the ones you appreciate the most.