Where to find the add widget button on your phone
The way you add a widget depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, because Apple and Google built their home screens differently.
On an iPhone, press and hold any empty space on your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap the plus sign in the lower left corner. This opens your widget library — a list of every app on your phone that offers widgets.
On an Android phone, press and hold an empty space on your home screen. A menu will pop up with options at the bottom. Tap "Widgets" (the exact wording varies by phone maker, but it is always near the bottom). This shows all available widgets from your installed apps.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users long-press the home screen, tap the plus sign, and choose an app from the widget library.
- Android users long-press the home screen, tap Widgets, and drag the widget directly onto the screen.
- Not every app offers widgets — only those designed to show information at a glance without opening the full app.
- You can resize most widgets after placing them by long-pressing and dragging the edges.
- Removing a widget works the same way you added it: long-press it and choose delete or remove.
How to choose and place a widget on iPhone
Once you tap the plus sign on iPhone, you see a list of apps that have widgets. Tap any app name to see what widget sizes that app offers. Most apps show two or three options — a small square, a medium rectangle, or a large one.
Tap the size you want. The widget preview appears on your screen. Tap "Add Widget" at the bottom right. The widget lands on your home screen, usually at the top. You can then drag it to a different spot by pressing and holding it and moving it around.
If your home screen is full, iOS automatically moves to the next screen and places the widget there. You can move it back to an earlier screen by dragging it.
How to choose and place a widget on Android
After you tap Widgets on Android, you see a list of all apps with widgets. Long-press the widget you want — do not just tap it. A preview or preview area appears on your home screen showing where the widget will land.
Drag the widget to the spot where you want it. Release your finger. The widget stays in that location. If the widget is larger than the space available, Android will move it to a screen with room, or you can resize it after placing it.
Some Android phones let you resize a widget immediately after placing it. Others require you to long-press the widget after it is placed, then drag the corner handles to make it bigger or smaller.
Widgets that need setup or login
Some widgets ask for information before they work. A weather widget might ask for your location. A calendar widget might ask which calendar to show. A news widget might ask what topics you care about.
On iPhone, these settings usually appear in a popup after you add the widget. On Android, you may need to long-press the widget and tap "Settings" or a gear icon to configure it. Check the widget itself — many show a settings icon in the corner.
If a widget stops working or shows old information, long-press it and look for a refresh or settings option. Some widgets need permission to access your location, calendar, or photos — check your phone's settings if a widget says it needs access you have not granted.
Removing or moving widgets
To remove a widget from your home screen on either iPhone or Android, long-press the widget until a menu appears. On iPhone, tap "Remove" or the minus sign. On Android, tap "Remove" or drag the widget to a trash icon if one appears.
To move a widget without removing it, long-press it and drag it to a new location on the same screen or to a different screen. On iPhone, you can drag it between screens by holding it and moving toward the edge. On Android, the process is the same — hold and drag to move.
You can add the same widget multiple times if you want. For example, you might add a weather widget on two different home screens, or add a calendar widget in two different sizes.
Why some apps do not have widgets
Not every app offers a widget. Widgets take extra work for app makers to build, and they only make sense for apps that show useful information at a glance — like weather, calendar, news, or reminders.
Apps that require you to log in, enter data, or do complex tasks usually do not have widgets. A banking app or a photo editor, for example, needs you to open the full app to do anything meaningful.
If an app you use does not have a widget, you can still open it from your home screen the normal way by tapping its icon. Some app makers add widgets in later updates, so check back occasionally if you are waiting for a widget from a favorite app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put widgets on my lock screen?
iPhone 16 and newer allow lock screen widgets — small widgets that show on your lock screen without unlocking your phone. Long-press your lock screen, tap "Customize", and tap the plus sign to add lock screen widgets. Android does not have a standard lock screen widget feature, though some phones offer it.
What if a widget is not showing the right information?
Long-press the widget and look for a refresh button or settings option. Some widgets update automatically but may be delayed. If the widget still shows old data, try removing it and adding it again. Check that the app has permission to access location, calendar, or other data it needs.
Can I resize a widget after I place it?
Yes, on both iPhone and Android. Long-press the widget until a menu appears. On iPhone, tap "Edit Widget" to see size options. On Android, look for corner handles or edges you can drag to make the widget larger or smaller. Not all widgets can be resized.
Do widgets use more battery than just opening the app?
Widgets use some battery because they update regularly, but the amount is usually small. Widgets that update every few minutes use more battery than those that update once an hour. If battery life is a concern, remove widgets you do not check often.
Can I organize widgets into folders like I do with apps?
iPhone does not allow widget folders. Android does not have a standard widget folder feature either, though some phone makers may offer it. You can organize widgets by moving them to different home screens to keep your main screen less cluttered.