diff --git a/gtk/gtkpopover.c b/gtk/gtkpopover.c
index 2532472877..050432abb9 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkpopover.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkpopover.c
@@ -647,6 +647,26 @@ present_popup (GtkPopover *popover)
  */
 void
 gtk_popover_present (GtkPopover *popover)
+{
+  gtk_popover_update_allocation (popover);
+}
+
+/**
+ * gtk_popover_update_allocation:
+ * @popover: a `GtkPopover`
+ *
+ * Allocate a size for the `GtkPopover`.
+ *
+ * This function needs to be called in size-allocate by widgets
+ * who have a `GtkPopover` as child. When using a layout manager,
+ * this is happening automatically.
+ *
+ * To make a popover appear on screen, use [method@Gtk.Popover.popup].
+ *
+ * Since: 4.12
+ */
+void
+gtk_popover_update_allocation (GtkPopover *popover)
 {
   GtkWidget *widget = GTK_WIDGET (popover);
 
diff --git a/gtk/gtkpopover.h b/gtk/gtkpopover.h
index 9bda7c967a..e46814ad7a 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkpopover.h
+++ b/gtk/gtkpopover.h
@@ -123,6 +123,9 @@ void gtk_popover_set_default_widget (GtkPopover *popover,
 GDK_AVAILABLE_IN_ALL
 void gtk_popover_present (GtkPopover *popover);
 
+GDK_AVAILABLE_IN_4_12
+void gtk_popover_update_allocation (GtkPopover *popover);
+
 G_DEFINE_AUTOPTR_CLEANUP_FUNC(GtkPopover, g_object_unref)
 
 G_END_DECLS