diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/QuickstepWidgetHolder.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/QuickstepWidgetHolder.java
index f66bc60..1a75535 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/QuickstepWidgetHolder.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/launcher3/uioverrides/QuickstepWidgetHolder.java
@@ -67,8 +67,6 @@
 
     private static AppWidgetHost sWidgetHost = null;
 
-    private final SparseArray<AppWidgetHostView> mViews = new SparseArray<>();
-
     private final @Nullable RemoteViews.InteractionHandler mInteractionHandler;
 
     private final @NonNull IntConsumer mAppWidgetRemovedCallback;
@@ -112,16 +110,12 @@
 
     @Override
     protected void updateDeferredView() {
-        super.updateDeferredView();
         int count = mPendingUpdateMap.size();
         for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
             int widgetId = mPendingUpdateMap.keyAt(i);
             AppWidgetHostView view = mViews.get(widgetId);
-            if (view == null) {
-                continue;
-            }
             PendingUpdate pendingUpdate = mPendingUpdateMap.valueAt(i);
-            if (pendingUpdate == null) {
+            if (view == null || pendingUpdate == null) {
                 continue;
             }
             if (pendingUpdate.providerInfo != null) {
@@ -172,7 +166,6 @@
     @Override
     public void deleteAppWidgetId(int appWidgetId) {
         super.deleteAppWidgetId(appWidgetId);
-        mViews.remove(appWidgetId);
         sListeners.remove(appWidgetId);
     }
 
@@ -238,7 +231,6 @@
     @Override
     public LauncherAppWidgetHostView createView(@NonNull Context context, int appWidgetId,
             @NonNull LauncherAppWidgetProviderInfo appWidget) {
-
         if (appWidget.isCustomWidget()) {
             LauncherAppWidgetHostView lahv = new LauncherAppWidgetHostView(context);
             lahv.setAppWidget(appWidgetId, appWidget);
@@ -252,7 +244,6 @@
         } else {
             widgetView = new LauncherAppWidgetHostView(context);
         }
-        widgetView.setIsWidgetCachingDisabled(true);
         widgetView.setInteractionHandler(mInteractionHandler);
         widgetView.setAppWidget(appWidgetId, appWidget);
         mViews.put(appWidgetId, widgetView);
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherRestoreEventLoggerImpl.kt b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherRestoreEventLoggerImpl.kt
index fc450f0..0913fca 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherRestoreEventLoggerImpl.kt
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/LauncherRestoreEventLoggerImpl.kt
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@
 import android.app.backup.BackupRestoreEventLogger.BackupRestoreDataType
 import android.app.backup.BackupRestoreEventLogger.BackupRestoreError
 import android.content.Context
-import com.android.launcher3.Flags
+import com.android.launcher3.Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics
 import com.android.launcher3.LauncherSettings.Favorites
 import com.android.launcher3.backuprestore.LauncherRestoreEventLogger
+import com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags.ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS
 
 /**
  * Concrete implementation for wrapper to log Restore event metrics for both success and failure to
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@
         count: Int,
         @BackupRestoreError error: String?
     ) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestoreFailed(dataType, count, error)
         }
     }
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@
      * @param count the number of data items restored.
      */
     override fun logLauncherItemsRestored(@BackupRestoreDataType dataType: String, count: Int) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestored(dataType, count)
         }
     }
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@
      * @param favoritesId The id of the item type from [Favorites] that was restored.
      */
     override fun logSingleFavoritesItemRestored(favoritesId: Int) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestored(favoritesIdToDataType(favoritesId), 1)
         }
     }
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@
      * @param count number of items that restored.
      */
     override fun logFavoritesItemsRestored(favoritesId: Int, count: Int) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestored(favoritesIdToDataType(favoritesId), count)
         }
     }
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@
         favoritesId: Int,
         @BackupRestoreError error: String?
     ) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestoreFailed(favoritesIdToDataType(favoritesId), 1, error)
         }
     }
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@
         count: Int,
         @BackupRestoreError error: String?
     ) {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             restoreEventLogger.logItemsRestoreFailed(
                 favoritesIdToDataType(favoritesId),
                 count,
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@
      * done restoring items for Launcher.
      */
     override fun reportLauncherRestoreResults() {
-        if (Flags.enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             BackupManager(context).reportDelayedRestoreResult(restoreEventLogger)
         }
     }
diff --git a/res/drawable-v31/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml b/res/drawable-v31/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index a08998d..0000000
--- a/res/drawable-v31/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<!--
-  Copyright (C) 2021 The Android Open Source Project
-
-  Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-  you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-  You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-  Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-  distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-  WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-  See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-  limitations under the License.
--->
-<inset xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:inset="8dp">
-    <shape android:shape="rectangle">
-        <corners android:radius="@android:dimen/system_app_widget_background_radius" />
-        <solid android:color="#77000000" />
-    </shape>
-</inset>
diff --git a/res/drawable/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml b/res/drawable/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index 07bae48..0000000
--- a/res/drawable/bg_deferred_app_widget.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<!--
-/*
-**
-** Copyright 2015, The Android Open Source Project
-**
-** Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-** you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-** You may obtain a copy of the License at
-**
-**     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-**
-** Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-** distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-** WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-** See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-** limitations under the License.
-*/
--->
-
-<inset
-    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:inset="8dp">
-    <color android:color="#77000000" />
-</inset>
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/Launcher.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/Launcher.java
index 11dc6e2..e0e35a4 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/Launcher.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/Launcher.java
@@ -1715,11 +1715,7 @@
         mModel.removeCallbacks(this);
         mRotationHelper.destroy();
 
-        try {
-            mAppWidgetHolder.stopListening();
-        } catch (NullPointerException ex) {
-            Log.w(TAG, "problem while stopping AppWidgetHost during Launcher destruction", ex);
-        }
+        mAppWidgetHolder.stopListening();
         mAppWidgetHolder.destroy();
 
         TextKeyListener.getInstance().release();
@@ -2478,7 +2474,7 @@
      */
     private LauncherAppWidgetInfo completeRestoreAppWidget(int appWidgetId, int finalRestoreFlag) {
         LauncherAppWidgetHostView view = mWorkspace.getWidgetForAppWidgetId(appWidgetId);
-        if ((view == null) || !(view instanceof PendingAppWidgetHostView)) {
+        if (!(view instanceof PendingAppWidgetHostView)) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Widget update called, when the widget no longer exists.");
             return null;
         }
@@ -2489,8 +2485,9 @@
             info.pendingItemInfo = null;
         }
 
-        if (((PendingAppWidgetHostView) view).isReinflateIfNeeded()) {
-            view.reInflate();
+        PendingAppWidgetHostView pv = (PendingAppWidgetHostView) view;
+        if (pv.isReinflateIfNeeded()) {
+            pv.reInflate();
         }
 
         getModelWriter().updateItemInDatabase(info);
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherAppState.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherAppState.java
index 9a19526..5ae2d71 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherAppState.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherAppState.java
@@ -36,11 +36,7 @@
 import android.content.pm.LauncherApps;
 import android.os.UserHandle;
 import android.util.Log;
-import android.util.SparseArray;
-import android.widget.RemoteViews;
 
-import androidx.annotation.GuardedBy;
-import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
 import androidx.annotation.Nullable;
 
 import com.android.launcher3.graphics.IconShape;
@@ -77,12 +73,6 @@
     private final InvariantDeviceProfile mInvariantDeviceProfile;
     private final RunnableList mOnTerminateCallback = new RunnableList();
 
-    // WORKAROUND: b/269335387 remove this after widget background listener is enabled
-    /* Array of RemoteViews cached by Launcher process */
-    @GuardedBy("itself")
-    @NonNull
-    public final SparseArray<RemoteViews> mCachedRemoteViews = new SparseArray<>();
-
     public static LauncherAppState getInstance(final Context context) {
         return INSTANCE.get(context);
     }
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/config/FeatureFlags.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/config/FeatureFlags.java
index aa6d1f2..61e853e 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/config/FeatureFlags.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/config/FeatureFlags.java
@@ -167,6 +167,8 @@
             "Enable the ability to generate monochromatic icons, if it is not provided by the app");
 
     // TODO(Block 8): Clean up flags
+    public static final BooleanFlag ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS = getDebugFlag(305984208,
+            "ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS", TEAMFOOD, "Enable metrics for Launcher restore");
 
     // TODO(Block 9): Clean up flags
     public static final BooleanFlag MULTI_SELECT_EDIT_MODE = getDebugFlag(270709220,
@@ -387,10 +389,6 @@
             "ENABLE_NEW_MIGRATION_LOGIC", ENABLED,
             "Enable the new grid migration logic, keeping pages when src < dest");
 
-    public static final BooleanFlag ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET = getDebugFlag(270395008,
-            "ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET", ENABLED,
-            "Show previously cached widgets as opposed to deferred widget where available");
-
     // TODO(Block 25): Clean up flags
     public static final BooleanFlag ENABLE_NEW_GESTURE_NAV_TUTORIAL = getDebugFlag(270396257,
             "ENABLE_NEW_GESTURE_NAV_TUTORIAL", ENABLED,
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/provider/RestoreDbTask.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/provider/RestoreDbTask.java
index 97c99e7..a969c8f 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/provider/RestoreDbTask.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/provider/RestoreDbTask.java
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 import static com.android.launcher3.backuprestore.LauncherRestoreEventLogger.RESTORE_ERROR_PROFILE_NOT_RESTORED;
 import static com.android.launcher3.backuprestore.LauncherRestoreEventLogger.RESTORE_ERROR_WIDGETS_DISABLED;
 import static com.android.launcher3.backuprestore.LauncherRestoreEventLogger.RESTORE_ERROR_WIDGET_REMOVED;
+import static com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags.ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS;
 import static com.android.launcher3.provider.LauncherDbUtils.dropTable;
 import static com.android.launcher3.widget.LauncherWidgetHolder.APPWIDGET_HOST_ID;
 
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@
         Arrays.fill(args, "?");
         final String where = "profileId NOT IN (" + TextUtils.join(", ", Arrays.asList(args)) + ")";
         logFavoritesTable(db, "items to delete from unrestored profiles:", where, profileIds);
-        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             reportUnrestoredProfiles(db, where, profileIds, restoreEventLogger);
         }
         int itemsDeletedCount = db.delete(Favorites.TABLE_NAME, where, profileIds);
@@ -360,7 +361,7 @@
         DeviceGridState deviceGridState = new DeviceGridState(context);
         FileLog.d(TAG, "restore initiated from backup: DeviceGridState=" + deviceGridState);
         LauncherPrefs.get(context).putSync(RESTORE_DEVICE.to(deviceGridState.getDeviceType()));
-        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics()) {
+        if (enableLauncherBrMetrics() || ENABLE_LAUNCHER_BR_METRICS.get()) {
             LauncherPrefs.get(context).putSync(IS_FIRST_LOAD_AFTER_RESTORE.to(true));
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/DeferredAppWidgetHostView.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/DeferredAppWidgetHostView.java
deleted file mode 100644
index f42142e..0000000
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/DeferredAppWidgetHostView.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (C) 2017 The Android Open Source Project
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-package com.android.launcher3.widget;
-
-import android.appwidget.AppWidgetProviderInfo;
-import android.content.Context;
-import android.graphics.Canvas;
-import android.graphics.Color;
-import android.text.Layout;
-import android.text.StaticLayout;
-import android.text.TextPaint;
-import android.text.TextUtils;
-import android.util.TypedValue;
-import android.view.View;
-import android.widget.RemoteViews;
-
-import com.android.launcher3.R;
-
-/**
- * A widget host views created while the host has not bind to the system service.
- */
-public class DeferredAppWidgetHostView extends LauncherAppWidgetHostView {
-
-    private final TextPaint mPaint;
-    private Layout mSetupTextLayout;
-
-    public DeferredAppWidgetHostView(Context context) {
-        super(context);
-        setWillNotDraw(false);
-
-        mPaint = new TextPaint();
-        mPaint.setColor(Color.WHITE);
-        mPaint.setTextSize(TypedValue.applyDimension(TypedValue.COMPLEX_UNIT_PX,
-                mLauncher.getDeviceProfile().iconTextSizePx,
-                getResources().getDisplayMetrics()));
-        setBackgroundResource(R.drawable.bg_deferred_app_widget);
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public void updateAppWidget(RemoteViews remoteViews) {
-        // Not allowed
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public void addView(View child) {
-        // Not allowed
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    protected void onMeasure(int widthMeasureSpec, int heightMeasureSpec) {
-        super.onMeasure(widthMeasureSpec, heightMeasureSpec);
-
-        AppWidgetProviderInfo info = getAppWidgetInfo();
-        if (info == null || TextUtils.isEmpty(info.label)) {
-            return;
-        }
-
-        // Use double padding so that there is extra space between background and text if possible.
-        int availableWidth = getMeasuredWidth() - 2 * (getPaddingLeft() + getPaddingRight());
-        if (availableWidth <= 0) {
-            availableWidth = getMeasuredWidth() - (getPaddingLeft() + getPaddingRight());
-        }
-        if (mSetupTextLayout != null && mSetupTextLayout.getText().equals(info.label)
-                && mSetupTextLayout.getWidth() == availableWidth) {
-            return;
-        }
-        mSetupTextLayout = new StaticLayout(info.label, mPaint, availableWidth,
-                Layout.Alignment.ALIGN_CENTER, 1, 0, true);
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    protected void onDraw(Canvas canvas) {
-        if (mSetupTextLayout != null) {
-            canvas.translate((getWidth() - mSetupTextLayout.getWidth()) / 2,
-                    (getHeight() - mSetupTextLayout.getHeight()) / 2);
-            mSetupTextLayout.draw(canvas);
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHost.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHost.java
index 9c21ea2..739e204 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHost.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHost.java
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
     @NonNull
     public LauncherAppWidgetHostView onCreateView(Context context, int appWidgetId,
             AppWidgetProviderInfo appWidget) {
-        return mHolder.onCreateView(context, appWidgetId, appWidget);
+        return mHolder.onCreateView(context, appWidgetId);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHostView.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHostView.java
index 12b47e6..e0de269 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHostView.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherAppWidgetHostView.java
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@
 import com.android.launcher3.Launcher;
 import com.android.launcher3.R;
 import com.android.launcher3.Utilities;
-import com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags;
 import com.android.launcher3.dragndrop.DragLayer;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.ItemInfo;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.LauncherAppWidgetInfo;
@@ -96,8 +95,6 @@
 
     private boolean mTrackingWidgetUpdate = false;
 
-    private boolean mIsWidgetCachingDisabled = false;
-
     public LauncherAppWidgetHostView(Context context) {
         super(context);
         mLauncher = Launcher.getLauncher(context);
@@ -144,10 +141,6 @@
         }
     }
 
-    public void setIsWidgetCachingDisabled(boolean isWidgetCachingDisabled) {
-        mIsWidgetCachingDisabled = isWidgetCachingDisabled;
-    }
-
     @Override
     @TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.Q)
     public void updateAppWidget(RemoteViews remoteViews) {
@@ -157,19 +150,11 @@
                     TRACE_METHOD_NAME + getAppWidgetInfo().provider, getAppWidgetId());
             mTrackingWidgetUpdate = false;
         }
-        if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()
-                && !mIsWidgetCachingDisabled) {
+        if (isDeferringUpdates()) {
             mLastRemoteViews = remoteViews;
-            if (isDeferringUpdates()) {
-                return;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (isDeferringUpdates()) {
-                mLastRemoteViews = remoteViews;
-                return;
-            }
-            mLastRemoteViews = null;
+            return;
         }
+        mLastRemoteViews = null;
 
         super.updateAppWidget(remoteViews);
 
@@ -438,22 +423,6 @@
         scheduleNextAdvance();
     }
 
-    public void reInflate() {
-        if (!isAttachedToWindow()) {
-            return;
-        }
-        LauncherAppWidgetInfo info = (LauncherAppWidgetInfo) getTag();
-        if (info == null) {
-            // This occurs when LauncherAppWidgetHostView is used to render a preview layout.
-            return;
-        }
-        // Remove and rebind the current widget (which was inflated in the wrong
-        // orientation), but don't delete it from the database
-        mLauncher.removeItem(this, info, false  /* deleteFromDb */,
-                "widget removed because of configuration change");
-        mLauncher.bindAppWidget(info);
-    }
-
     @Override
     protected boolean shouldAllowDirectClick() {
         if (getTag() instanceof ItemInfo) {
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherWidgetHolder.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherWidgetHolder.java
index 6acc83d..fbd48cf 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherWidgetHolder.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/LauncherWidgetHolder.java
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.util.SparseArray;
-import android.widget.RemoteViews;
 import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
@@ -36,10 +35,8 @@
 
 import com.android.launcher3.BaseActivity;
 import com.android.launcher3.BaseDraggingActivity;
-import com.android.launcher3.LauncherAppState;
 import com.android.launcher3.R;
 import com.android.launcher3.Utilities;
-import com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.WidgetsModel;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.ItemInfo;
 import com.android.launcher3.testing.TestLogging;
@@ -70,11 +67,9 @@
     private final AppWidgetHost mWidgetHost;
 
     @NonNull
-    private final SparseArray<LauncherAppWidgetHostView> mViews = new SparseArray<>();
+    protected final SparseArray<LauncherAppWidgetHostView> mViews = new SparseArray<>();
     @NonNull
     private final SparseArray<PendingAppWidgetHostView> mPendingViews = new SparseArray<>();
-    @NonNull
-    private final SparseArray<LauncherAppWidgetHostView> mDeferredViews = new SparseArray<>();
 
     protected int mFlags = FLAG_STATE_IS_NORMAL;
 
@@ -121,25 +116,12 @@
      * Update any views which have been deferred because the host was not listening.
      */
     protected void updateDeferredView() {
+        // Update any views which have been deferred because the host was not listening.
         // We go in reverse order and inflate any deferred or cached widget
         for (int i = mViews.size() - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
             LauncherAppWidgetHostView view = mViews.valueAt(i);
-            if (view instanceof DeferredAppWidgetHostView) {
-                view.reInflate();
-            }
-            if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()) {
-                final int appWidgetId = mViews.keyAt(i);
-                if (view == mDeferredViews.get(appWidgetId)) {
-                    // If the widget view was deferred, we'll need to call super.createView here
-                    // to make the binder call to system process to fetch cumulative updates to this
-                    // widget, as well as setting up this view for future updates.
-                    mWidgetHost.createView(view.mLauncher, appWidgetId,
-                            view.getAppWidgetInfo());
-                    // At this point #onCreateView should have been called, which in turn returned
-                    // the deferred view. There's no reason to keep the reference anymore, so we
-                    // removed it here.
-                    mDeferredViews.remove(appWidgetId);
-                }
+            if (view instanceof PendingAppWidgetHostView pv) {
+                pv.reInflate();
             }
         }
     }
@@ -173,12 +155,6 @@
     public void deleteAppWidgetId(int appWidgetId) {
         mWidgetHost.deleteAppWidgetId(appWidgetId);
         mViews.remove(appWidgetId);
-        if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()) {
-            final LauncherAppState state = LauncherAppState.getInstance(mContext);
-            synchronized (state.mCachedRemoteViews) {
-                state.mCachedRemoteViews.delete(appWidgetId);
-            }
-        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -319,17 +295,6 @@
         if (WidgetsModel.GO_DISABLE_WIDGETS) {
             return;
         }
-        if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()) {
-            // Cache the content from the widgets when Launcher stops listening to widget updates
-            final LauncherAppState state = LauncherAppState.getInstance(mContext);
-            synchronized (state.mCachedRemoteViews) {
-                for (int i = 0; i < mViews.size(); i++) {
-                    final int appWidgetId = mViews.keyAt(i);
-                    final LauncherAppWidgetHostView view = mViews.get(appWidgetId);
-                    state.mCachedRemoteViews.put(appWidgetId, view.mLastRemoteViews);
-                }
-            }
-        }
         mWidgetHost.stopListening();
         setListeningFlag(false);
     }
@@ -360,6 +325,7 @@
     @NonNull
     public AppWidgetHostView createView(@NonNull Context context, int appWidgetId,
             @NonNull LauncherAppWidgetProviderInfo appWidget) {
+
         if (appWidget.isCustomWidget()) {
             LauncherAppWidgetHostView lahv = new LauncherAppWidgetHostView(context);
             lahv.setAppWidget(0, appWidget);
@@ -369,24 +335,8 @@
             // Since the launcher hasn't started listening to widget updates, we can't simply call
             // super.createView here because the later will make a binder call to retrieve
             // RemoteViews from system process.
-            // TODO: have launcher always listens to widget updates in background so that this
-            //  check can be removed altogether.
-            if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()) {
-                final RemoteViews cachedRemoteViews = getCachedRemoteViews(appWidgetId);
-                if (cachedRemoteViews != null) {
-                    // We've found RemoteViews from cache for this widget, so we will instantiate a
-                    // widget host view and populate it with the cached RemoteViews.
-                    final LauncherAppWidgetHostView view = new LauncherAppWidgetHostView(context);
-                    view.setAppWidget(appWidgetId, appWidget);
-                    view.updateAppWidget(cachedRemoteViews);
-                    mDeferredViews.put(appWidgetId, view);
-                    mViews.put(appWidgetId, view);
-                    return view;
-                }
-            }
-            // If cache misses or not enabled, a placeholder for the widget will be returned.
-            DeferredAppWidgetHostView view = new DeferredAppWidgetHostView(context);
-            view.setAppWidget(appWidgetId, appWidget);
+            LauncherAppWidgetHostView view =
+                    new PendingAppWidgetHostView(context, appWidgetId, appWidget);
             mViews.put(appWidgetId, view);
             return view;
         } else {
@@ -402,7 +352,7 @@
                 // will update.
                 LauncherAppWidgetHostView view = mViews.get(appWidgetId);
                 if (view == null) {
-                    view = onCreateView(mContext, appWidgetId, appWidget);
+                    view = onCreateView(mContext, appWidgetId);
                 }
                 view.setAppWidget(appWidgetId, appWidget);
                 view.switchToErrorView();
@@ -423,23 +373,17 @@
 
     /**
      * Called to return a proper view when creating a view
-     * @param context The context for which the widget view is created
+     *
+     * @param context     The context for which the widget view is created
      * @param appWidgetId The ID of the added widget
-     * @param appWidget The provider info of the added widget
      * @return A view for the specified app widget
      */
     @NonNull
-    public LauncherAppWidgetHostView onCreateView(Context context, int appWidgetId,
-            AppWidgetProviderInfo appWidget) {
+    public LauncherAppWidgetHostView onCreateView(Context context, int appWidgetId) {
         final LauncherAppWidgetHostView view;
         if (getPendingView(appWidgetId) != null) {
             view = getPendingView(appWidgetId);
             removePendingView(appWidgetId);
-        } else if (mDeferredViews.get(appWidgetId) != null) {
-            // In case the widget view is deferred, we will simply return the deferred view as
-            // opposed to instantiate a new instance of LauncherAppWidgetHostView since launcher
-            // already added the former to the workspace.
-            view = mDeferredViews.get(appWidgetId);
         } else {
             view = new LauncherAppWidgetHostView(context);
         }
@@ -453,10 +397,6 @@
     public void clearViews() {
         LauncherAppWidgetHost tempHost = (LauncherAppWidgetHost) mWidgetHost;
         tempHost.clearViews();
-        if (FeatureFlags.ENABLE_CACHED_WIDGET.get()) {
-            // Clear previously cached content from existing widgets
-            mDeferredViews.clear();
-        }
         mViews.clear();
     }
 
@@ -496,14 +436,6 @@
         return (flags & FLAGS_SHOULD_LISTEN) == FLAGS_SHOULD_LISTEN;
     }
 
-    @Nullable
-    private RemoteViews getCachedRemoteViews(int appWidgetId) {
-        final LauncherAppState state = LauncherAppState.getInstance(mContext);
-        synchronized (state.mCachedRemoteViews) {
-            return state.mCachedRemoteViews.get(appWidgetId);
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * Returns the new LauncherWidgetHolder instance
      */
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/PendingAppWidgetHostView.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/PendingAppWidgetHostView.java
index 1c88c4a..2bd4c7e 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/PendingAppWidgetHostView.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/widget/PendingAppWidgetHostView.java
@@ -24,11 +24,13 @@
 import android.graphics.Color;
 import android.graphics.PorterDuff;
 import android.graphics.Rect;
+import android.graphics.drawable.ColorDrawable;
 import android.graphics.drawable.Drawable;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.text.Layout;
 import android.text.StaticLayout;
 import android.text.TextPaint;
+import android.text.TextUtils;
 import android.util.SizeF;
 import android.util.TypedValue;
 import android.view.ContextThemeWrapper;
@@ -46,7 +48,6 @@
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.ItemInfoWithIcon;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.LauncherAppWidgetInfo;
 import com.android.launcher3.model.data.PackageItemInfo;
-import com.android.launcher3.touch.ItemClickHandler;
 import com.android.launcher3.util.Themes;
 
 import java.util.List;
@@ -56,11 +57,20 @@
     private static final float SETUP_ICON_SIZE_FACTOR = 2f / 5;
     private static final float MIN_SATUNATION = 0.7f;
 
+    private static final int FLAG_DRAW_SETTINGS = 1;
+    private static final int FLAG_DRAW_ICON = 2;
+    private static final int FLAG_DRAW_LABEL = 4;
+
+    private static final int DEFERRED_ALPHA = 0x77;
+
     private final Rect mRect = new Rect();
     private OnClickListener mClickListener;
     private final LauncherAppWidgetInfo mInfo;
     private final int mStartState;
     private final boolean mDisabledForSafeMode;
+    private final CharSequence mLabel;
+
+    private int mDragFlags;
 
     private Drawable mCenterDrawable;
     private Drawable mSettingIconDrawable;
@@ -72,18 +82,8 @@
 
     public PendingAppWidgetHostView(Context context, LauncherAppWidgetInfo info,
             IconCache cache, boolean disabledForSafeMode) {
-        super(new ContextThemeWrapper(context, R.style.WidgetContainerTheme));
-
-        mInfo = info;
-        mStartState = info.restoreStatus;
-        mDisabledForSafeMode = disabledForSafeMode;
-
-        mPaint = new TextPaint();
-        mPaint.setColor(Themes.getAttrColor(getContext(), android.R.attr.textColorPrimary));
-        mPaint.setTextSize(TypedValue.applyDimension(TypedValue.COMPLEX_UNIT_PX,
-                mLauncher.getDeviceProfile().iconTextSizePx, getResources().getDisplayMetrics()));
-        setBackgroundResource(R.drawable.pending_widget_bg);
-        setWillNotDraw(false);
+        this(context, info, disabledForSafeMode,
+                context.getResources().getText(R.string.gadget_complete_setup_text));
 
         super.updateAppWidget(null);
         setOnClickListener(mLauncher.getItemOnClickListener());
@@ -97,15 +97,62 @@
         }
     }
 
+    public PendingAppWidgetHostView(
+            Context context, int appWidgetId, LauncherAppWidgetProviderInfo appWidget) {
+        this(context, new LauncherAppWidgetInfo(appWidgetId, appWidget.provider), false,
+                appWidget.label);
+        getBackground().mutate().setAlpha(DEFERRED_ALPHA);
+
+        mCenterDrawable = new ColorDrawable(Color.TRANSPARENT);
+        mDragFlags = FLAG_DRAW_LABEL;
+        mDrawableSizeChanged = true;
+    }
+
+    private PendingAppWidgetHostView(Context context, LauncherAppWidgetInfo info,
+            boolean disabledForSafeMode, CharSequence label) {
+        super(new ContextThemeWrapper(context, R.style.WidgetContainerTheme));
+
+        mInfo = info;
+        mStartState = info.restoreStatus;
+        mDisabledForSafeMode = disabledForSafeMode;
+        mLabel = label;
+
+        mPaint = new TextPaint();
+        mPaint.setColor(Themes.getAttrColor(getContext(), android.R.attr.textColorPrimary));
+        mPaint.setTextSize(TypedValue.applyDimension(TypedValue.COMPLEX_UNIT_PX,
+                mLauncher.getDeviceProfile().iconTextSizePx, getResources().getDisplayMetrics()));
+
+        setWillNotDraw(false);
+        setBackgroundResource(R.drawable.pending_widget_bg);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void updateAppWidget(RemoteViews remoteViews) {
         WidgetManagerHelper widgetManagerHelper = new WidgetManagerHelper(getContext());
         if (widgetManagerHelper.isAppWidgetRestored(mInfo.appWidgetId)) {
-            super.updateAppWidget(remoteViews);
             reInflate();
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Forces the Launcher to reinflate the widget view
+     */
+    public void reInflate() {
+        if (!isAttachedToWindow()) {
+            return;
+        }
+        LauncherAppWidgetInfo info = (LauncherAppWidgetInfo) getTag();
+        if (info == null) {
+            // This occurs when LauncherAppWidgetHostView is used to render a preview layout.
+            return;
+        }
+        // Remove and rebind the current widget (which was inflated in the wrong
+        // orientation), but don't delete it from the database
+        mLauncher.removeItem(this, info, false  /* deleteFromDb */,
+                "widget removed because of configuration change");
+        mLauncher.bindAppWidget(info);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void updateAppWidgetSize(Bundle newOptions, int minWidth, int minHeight, int maxWidth,
             int maxHeight) {
@@ -147,7 +194,10 @@
             mCenterDrawable.setCallback(null);
             mCenterDrawable = null;
         }
+        mDragFlags = 0;
         if (info.bitmap.icon != null) {
+            mDragFlags = FLAG_DRAW_ICON;
+
             Drawable widgetCategoryIcon = getWidgetCategoryIcon();
             // The view displays three modes,
             //   1) App icon in the center
@@ -169,6 +219,8 @@
                         : widgetCategoryIcon;
                 mSettingIconDrawable = getResources().getDrawable(R.drawable.ic_setting).mutate();
                 updateSettingColor(info.bitmap.color);
+
+                mDragFlags |= FLAG_DRAW_SETTINGS | FLAG_DRAW_LABEL;
             } else {
                 mCenterDrawable = widgetCategoryIcon == null
                         ? newPendingIcon(getContext(), info)
@@ -239,68 +291,63 @@
         int availableWidth = getWidth() - paddingLeft - paddingRight - 2 * minPadding;
         int availableHeight = getHeight() - paddingTop - paddingBottom - 2 * minPadding;
 
-        if (mSettingIconDrawable == null) {
-            int maxSize = grid.iconSizePx;
-            int size = Math.min(maxSize, Math.min(availableWidth, availableHeight));
+        float iconSize = ((mDragFlags & FLAG_DRAW_ICON) == 0) ? 0
+                : Math.max(0, Math.min(availableWidth, availableHeight));
+        // Use twice the setting size factor, as the setting is drawn at a corner and the
+        // icon is drawn in the center.
+        float settingIconScaleFactor = ((mDragFlags & FLAG_DRAW_SETTINGS) == 0) ? 0
+                : 1 + SETUP_ICON_SIZE_FACTOR * 2;
 
-            mRect.set(0, 0, size, size);
-            mRect.offsetTo((getWidth() - mRect.width()) / 2, (getHeight() - mRect.height()) / 2);
-            mCenterDrawable.setBounds(mRect);
-        } else  {
-            float iconSize = Math.max(0, Math.min(availableWidth, availableHeight));
+        int maxSize = Math.max(availableWidth, availableHeight);
+        if (iconSize * settingIconScaleFactor > maxSize) {
+            // There is an overlap
+            iconSize = maxSize / settingIconScaleFactor;
+        }
 
-            // Use twice the setting size factor, as the setting is drawn at a corner and the
-            // icon is drawn in the center.
-            float settingIconScaleFactor = 1 + SETUP_ICON_SIZE_FACTOR * 2;
-            int maxSize = Math.max(availableWidth, availableHeight);
-            if (iconSize * settingIconScaleFactor > maxSize) {
-                // There is an overlap
-                iconSize = maxSize / settingIconScaleFactor;
+        int actualIconSize = (int) Math.min(iconSize, grid.iconSizePx);
+
+        // Icon top when we do not draw the text
+        int iconTop = (getHeight() - actualIconSize) / 2;
+        mSetupTextLayout = null;
+
+        if (availableWidth > 0 && !TextUtils.isEmpty(mLabel)
+                && ((mDragFlags & FLAG_DRAW_LABEL) != 0)) {
+            // Recreate the setup text.
+            mSetupTextLayout = new StaticLayout(
+                    mLabel, mPaint, availableWidth, Layout.Alignment.ALIGN_CENTER, 1, 0, true);
+            int textHeight = mSetupTextLayout.getHeight();
+
+            // Extra icon size due to the setting icon
+            float minHeightWithText = textHeight + actualIconSize * settingIconScaleFactor
+                    + grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx;
+
+            if (minHeightWithText < availableHeight) {
+                // We can draw the text as well
+                iconTop = (getHeight() - textHeight
+                        - grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx - actualIconSize) / 2;
+
+            } else {
+                // We can't draw the text. Let the iconTop be same as before.
+                mSetupTextLayout = null;
             }
+        }
 
-            int actualIconSize = (int) Math.min(iconSize, grid.iconSizePx);
+        mRect.set(0, 0, actualIconSize, actualIconSize);
+        mRect.offset((getWidth() - actualIconSize) / 2, iconTop);
+        mCenterDrawable.setBounds(mRect);
 
-            // Icon top when we do not draw the text
-            int iconTop = (getHeight() - actualIconSize) / 2;
-            mSetupTextLayout = null;
-
-            if (availableWidth > 0) {
-                // Recreate the setup text.
-                mSetupTextLayout = new StaticLayout(
-                        getResources().getText(R.string.gadget_complete_setup_text), mPaint,
-                        availableWidth, Layout.Alignment.ALIGN_CENTER, 1, 0, true);
-                int textHeight = mSetupTextLayout.getHeight();
-
-                // Extra icon size due to the setting icon
-                float minHeightWithText = textHeight + actualIconSize * settingIconScaleFactor
-                        + grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx;
-
-                if (minHeightWithText < availableHeight) {
-                    // We can draw the text as well
-                    iconTop = (getHeight() - textHeight -
-                            grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx - actualIconSize) / 2;
-
-                } else {
-                    // We can't draw the text. Let the iconTop be same as before.
-                    mSetupTextLayout = null;
-                }
-            }
-
-            mRect.set(0, 0, actualIconSize, actualIconSize);
-            mRect.offset((getWidth() - actualIconSize) / 2, iconTop);
-            mCenterDrawable.setBounds(mRect);
-
+        if (mSettingIconDrawable != null) {
             mRect.left = paddingLeft + minPadding;
             mRect.right = mRect.left + (int) (SETUP_ICON_SIZE_FACTOR * actualIconSize);
             mRect.top = paddingTop + minPadding;
             mRect.bottom = mRect.top + (int) (SETUP_ICON_SIZE_FACTOR * actualIconSize);
             mSettingIconDrawable.setBounds(mRect);
+        }
 
-            if (mSetupTextLayout != null) {
-                // Set up position for dragging the text
-                mRect.left = paddingLeft + minPadding;
-                mRect.top = mCenterDrawable.getBounds().bottom + grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx;
-            }
+        if (mSetupTextLayout != null) {
+            // Set up position for dragging the text
+            mRect.left = paddingLeft + minPadding;
+            mRect.top = mCenterDrawable.getBounds().bottom + grid.iconDrawablePaddingPx;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
index 7d3807e..508f39b 100644
--- a/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
+++ b/tests/tapl/com/android/launcher3/tapl/LauncherInstrumentation.java
@@ -278,21 +278,35 @@
         assertNotNull("Cannot find content provider for " + testProviderAuthority, pi);
         ComponentName cn = new ComponentName(pi.packageName, pi.name);
 
+        final int iterations = isLauncherTest ? 300 : 100;
+
         if (pm.getComponentEnabledSetting(cn) != COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED) {
             if (TestHelpers.isInLauncherProcess()) {
                 pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(cn, COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED, DONT_KILL_APP);
             } else {
                 try {
                     final int userId = getContext().getUserId();
+                    final String launcherPidCommand = "pidof " + pi.packageName;
+                    final String initialPid = mDevice.executeShellCommand(launcherPidCommand);
+
                     mDevice.executeShellCommand(
                             "pm enable --user " + userId + " " + cn.flattenToString());
+
+                    // Wait for Launcher restart after enabling test provider.
+                    for (int i = 0; i < iterations; ++i) {
+                        final String currentPid = mDevice.executeShellCommand(launcherPidCommand)
+                                .replaceAll("\\s", "");
+                        if (!currentPid.isEmpty() && !currentPid.equals(initialPid)) break;
+                        if (i == iterations - 1) {
+                            fail("Launcher didn't restart after enabling test provider");
+                        }
+                        SystemClock.sleep(100);
+                    }
                 } catch (IOException e) {
                     fail(e.toString());
                 }
             }
 
-            final int iterations = isLauncherTest ? 300 : 100;
-
             // Wait for Launcher content provider to become enabled.
             for (int i = 0; i < iterations; ++i) {
                 final ContentProviderClient testProvider = getContext().getContentResolver()