Where to find and add Google widgets

Google widgets live in your phone's widget library, not in the Google app itself. On Android, long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom — tap "Widgets" to see what's available. On iPhone, long-press the home screen, tap the plus sign in the bottom left, search for "Google" or scroll to find it, then select the widget you want and tap "Add Widget".

The widgets you see depend on which Google apps you have installed. If you don't see a particular widget, the app it belongs to either isn't installed or doesn't offer a widget version. You can install or update Google apps through the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) to unlock more widget options.

Key Takeaways

  • Long-press your home screen and select Widgets to see Google's available widgets, which vary by phone type and which Google apps you have installed.
  • Google Search, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Photos, and Google News each offer their own widgets with different sizes and information displays.
  • Most widgets let you choose their size before adding them, and you can move or delete them by long-pressing and dragging.
  • Widgets update automatically when you have an internet connection, but they use some battery and data to do so.

Popular Google widgets and what they show

The Google Search widget puts a search bar on your home screen so you can search the web without opening the Google app. It comes in several sizes — a thin bar, a larger box, or a full-width version — and you pick the size when you add it.

The Gmail widget displays your inbox count or recent messages depending on which version you choose. Some versions show only unread messages; others show a preview of your latest email. You can tap the widget to open Gmail or tap individual messages to read them.

Google Calendar offers a small widget showing today's date and upcoming events, or a larger month view. The month view is useful if you check your calendar often; the smaller version takes less space if you only need a quick glance.

Google Maps has a widget that shows your commute time to work or home, or lets you search for places directly from your home screen. Google Photos displays a rotating slideshow of your recent photos. Google News shows headlines from sources you follow.

Resizing, moving, and removing widgets

Once a widget is on your home screen, you can adjust its size. Long-press the widget until a menu appears, then look for a "Resize" or sizing option. Not all widgets are resizable — some come in fixed sizes only.

To move a widget, long-press it and drag it to a new location on your home screen or to a different page. To remove it, long-press the widget and select "Remove" or drag it to a trash icon if one appears.

Why a widget might not appear or update

If a Google widget doesn't show up in your widget library, the app it belongs to probably isn't installed. Download it from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone), then check the widget library again — new widgets usually appear within a few seconds.

If a widget stops updating, check that you have an internet connection and that the app has permission to access the internet. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions and make sure Internet is allowed. On iPhone, go to Settings > [App Name] and check that Wi-Fi and Cellular are both enabled.

Widget permissions and what they access

When you add a widget, it may ask for permission to access certain information — your location for Maps, your calendar for Calendar, your photos for Photos. You can see what permissions each widget has by going to your phone's app settings.

Widgets only show information you already have access to in the app itself. A Gmail widget cannot read emails you don't have permission to see, and a Calendar widget cannot show events from calendars you haven't shared with yourself. If you're uncomfortable with a widget's permissions, you can remove it without affecting the app.

Battery and data use from widgets

Widgets use a small amount of battery and data because they refresh periodically to show new information. A search bar widget uses almost nothing. A rotating photo slideshow or a news widget that updates every few minutes uses noticeably more. If your battery drains quickly, removing widgets that refresh often can help.

You can't change how often a widget updates — that's set by Google. If a widget refreshes too frequently for your needs, removing it is the only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customize what a widget shows?

Some widgets let you choose what information appears. For example, the Maps widget can show commute time to different locations, and the Calendar widget can display specific calendars. Long-press the widget and look for a settings or gear icon to see what options are available.

Do widgets work offline?

Widgets that need live information — like weather, news, or commute time — won't update without an internet connection. Widgets showing static information, like a calendar event you've already loaded, may display cached information briefly, but they refresh when you reconnect.

Can I add the same widget multiple times?

Yes. You can add multiple instances of the same widget to different home screen pages or in different sizes. For example, you could add a small Google Search widget on one page and a larger one on another.

What's the difference between a widget and a shortcut?

A shortcut is a single tap that opens an app or performs one action. A widget displays live information or multiple actions on your home screen without opening the app. Widgets update automatically; shortcuts don't.

Why does a widget show outdated information?

Widgets refresh on a schedule set by the app, not constantly. If a widget hasn't updated in a while, try restarting your phone or toggling airplane mode off and on to force a refresh. If it still doesn't update, remove and re-add the widget.