The basic steps to add a widget
The way you add a widget depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both start the same way: long-press (hold your finger down) on an empty spot on your home screen until a menu appears. On iPhone, you'll see an option to add a widget. On Android, you'll see options that might say "Widgets" or "Add widgets" — the exact wording varies by phone maker.
Once you tap that option, your phone shows you a list of apps that have widgets. You pick the app, then pick which widget from that app you want. Some apps have multiple widgets of different sizes. After you choose, the widget appears on your home screen in the spot you long-pressed.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look. Most people get stuck on the first step — not realizing you have to long-press rather than tap — so if nothing happens when you tap, try holding your finger down longer.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press an empty spot on your home screen until a menu appears, then select the option to add a widget.
- Your phone will show you which apps have widgets available, and most apps offer more than one widget size to choose from.
- If a widget doesn't fit in the space you chose, you can move it by long-pressing it and dragging it to a new location.
- Widgets update automatically with new information — you don't have to open the app to see changes like weather updates or new messages.
Finding widgets in your app library
Not every app has a widget. The apps most likely to have them are weather apps, calendar apps, news apps, messaging apps, and fitness trackers — basically apps that show you information that changes throughout the day. But even popular apps sometimes don't offer widgets, so you won't find a widget option for every single app on your phone.
When you long-press your home screen and select the widget option, your phone shows you only the apps that actually have widgets. You won't see apps without widgets in that list, so you don't have to scroll through your entire app library looking for something that doesn't exist.
If you're looking for a widget for a specific app and don't see it in the widget list, that app probably doesn't offer one yet. Some app makers add widgets in updates, so it's worth checking the app store to see if an update is available.
Choosing the right widget size
Most apps offer widgets in different sizes — usually small, medium, and large. A small widget might show just the current temperature. A medium widget might show the temperature plus the forecast for the next few days. A large widget might show an hourly forecast for the entire day. The bigger the widget, the more information it can display at once.
Your home screen has a grid, and widgets take up a certain number of grid squares. A small widget might take up 2 by 2 squares, while a large one might take up 4 by 4. If you don't have enough empty space for the size you want, your phone will either shrink your home screen to make room or ask you to move other icons out of the way.
You can always change your mind later. If you add a large widget and decide you want more space for apps, you can remove it or replace it with a smaller version of the same widget.
Moving and removing widgets
Once a widget is on your home screen, you can move it by long-pressing it until it lifts slightly, then dragging it to a new spot. You can move it to a different location on the same screen or to a different home screen page entirely. When you let go, it snaps into place on the grid.
To remove a widget, long-press it and look for a remove or delete option — the exact wording depends on your phone. On iPhone, you'll see an option to remove the widget. On Android, you might see "Remove" or a trash icon. Removing a widget doesn't delete the app itself, just the widget from your home screen.
You can add the same widget multiple times if you want. For example, you could add a weather widget for your city and another weather widget for a different city, or add two different calendar widgets showing different calendars.
Why widgets stop updating
Widgets are designed to update automatically in the background, but sometimes they stop showing new information. The most common reason is that your phone's battery saver mode is turned on. Battery saver limits background activity to save power, which includes stopping widgets from refreshing. If you turn off battery saver, your widgets should start updating again.
Another reason widgets stop updating is if you haven't opened the app in a long time. Some phones limit background activity for apps you rarely use. Opening the app once usually fixes this — after that, the widget should refresh normally.
If a widget still isn't updating after you've checked battery saver and opened the app, try removing the widget and adding it again. This forces your phone to refresh its connection to the app.
Widgets on your lock screen
On newer iPhones, you can add widgets directly to your lock screen — the screen you see before you unlock your phone. This is useful for widgets you want to check without unlocking your phone, like weather, time, or calendar information. The process is the same: long-press your lock screen, select the option to add a widget, and choose which one you want.
Lock screen widgets are smaller than home screen widgets because there's less space. Not all widgets work on the lock screen — your phone will only show you the ones that do when you're adding a lock screen widget.
Android phones don't currently have lock screen widgets as a standard feature, though some phone makers have added their own versions. Check your phone's settings or long-press your lock screen to see if the option is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a widget and an app shortcut?
A shortcut is just a button that opens the app. A widget shows you information from the app without opening it. For example, a calendar shortcut opens the calendar app, but a calendar widget shows you today's events right on your home screen.
Can I customize what information a widget shows?
Some widgets let you choose what they display. Long-press the widget after you've added it and look for an edit or settings option. Not all widgets have customization options — it depends on how the app maker designed it.
Do widgets use a lot of battery?
Widgets use very little battery because they update infrequently and only when your phone is awake or when you're looking at your home screen. If you're concerned about battery life, turning off battery saver mode actually helps widgets work more efficiently than constantly refreshing them manually.
Can I add widgets from apps I haven't installed?
No. You can only add widgets from apps that are already installed on your phone. If you want a widget for an app you don't have, you need to install the app first from your app store.
Why can't I find a widget for an app I use all the time?
Not all apps have widgets. The app maker has to build the widget feature into the app. If an app doesn't have a widget, you can only open it by tapping the app icon. Check the app store occasionally — sometimes app makers add widgets in updates.