The basic steps differ by phone type
Adding a widget to your home screen takes about 30 seconds on most phones, but the exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android device. Both let you long-press an empty area of your home screen to open the widget menu, but what happens next is different. iPhone shows you available widgets from your installed apps; Android usually shows you a list of apps that have widgets, then you pick which widget from that app you want.
The widget appears where you long-pressed, though you can move it afterward by dragging it to a new spot. If you run out of space on your current home screen, most phones will create a new screen automatically or let you swipe to an existing empty one.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, long-press an empty home screen area, tap the plus button, choose an app, select the widget size you want, and tap Add Widget.
- On Android, long-press an empty home screen area, tap Widgets, find the app whose widget you want, hold down the widget, and drag it to your home screen.
- Most widgets come in multiple sizes; larger versions show more information but take up more space.
- You can move or delete a widget anytime by long-pressing it and choosing Move or Remove.
How to add a widget on iPhone
Start by finding an empty spot on your home screen — even a small gap works. Long-press that area for about a second until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap the plus sign button in the bottom left corner.
A list of your installed apps appears. Scroll through and tap the app whose widget you want to add. The app will show you all available widgets for that app, usually in different sizes. Tap the size you prefer — larger widgets show more information but use more home screen space. Then tap the blue "Add Widget" button at the bottom right. The widget appears on your home screen where you long-pressed.
If you want to move it, long-press the widget itself and drag it to a new location. When you're done, tap anywhere else on the screen or press the home button to exit edit mode.
How to add a widget on Android
Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu pops up. The exact wording varies by phone maker, but look for an option that says "Widgets" or "Add widget" — some phones show this as a plus sign button. Tap it.
You'll see a list of apps that have widgets available. Scroll to find the app you want, then tap it. A list of that app's widgets appears. Long-press the widget you want to add and hold your finger down. Your home screen will appear behind the widget. Drag the widget to the spot where you want it and release your finger. The widget stays in that location.
Some Android phones let you resize widgets after adding them. Long-press the widget and look for a resize option, usually shown as corner handles or a "Resize" button. Drag the handles to make the widget larger or smaller.
Choosing the right widget size
Most apps offer their widgets in at least two sizes. A small widget might show just the app icon and one piece of information — like a weather widget showing only the current temperature. A larger widget shows more details, like the hourly forecast or multiple days ahead.
Larger widgets use more of your home screen, so you'll fit fewer other widgets or app icons on that screen. Start with the size that shows the information you actually look at. You can always delete it and add a different size later if you change your mind.
Moving and deleting widgets
To move a widget to a different spot, long-press it until a menu appears. On iPhone, you'll see options including "Move" — tap it, then drag the widget to its new location. On Android, you can usually drag the widget directly without tapping an extra option.
To remove a widget, long-press it and look for a "Remove" or trash icon option. Tap it and the widget disappears. The app itself stays installed on your phone — you're only removing the widget from your home screen. You can add it back anytime using the same steps above.
Troubleshooting widgets that won't appear
If an app doesn't show up in your widget list, the app may not have widgets available. Not every app offers them. Try updating the app through your phone's app store — sometimes widgets are added in updates.
If a widget appears but shows no information, the app may need permission to access data. Open the app itself and check its settings, or go to your phone's Settings app and look for the app's permissions. Make sure it has access to location, calendar, or whatever data the widget needs to display.
On Android, if you can't find the Widgets option when you long-press your home screen, try long-pressing an app icon instead and look for "Add to Home Screen" or a similar option. Some Android phones hide the Widgets menu in a different location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a widget on my lock screen?
On iPhone 16 and newer, yes — you can add widgets to your lock screen by long-pressing the lock screen itself and tapping the plus button. Older iPhones don't support lock screen widgets. On Android, lock screen widgets depend on your phone model and Android version; some phones allow them, others don't.
Do widgets drain my battery?
Widgets use some battery power because they refresh regularly to show updated information. Weather and news widgets refresh more often than calendar widgets. If battery life is a concern, use fewer widgets or choose ones that update less frequently, like a calendar or notes widget instead of a live stock ticker.
Why does my widget show old information?
Widgets refresh on a schedule set by the app, not constantly. A weather widget might update every 30 minutes, while a calendar widget updates only when you add or change an event. Open the app itself to see the most current information, or wait for the widget's next refresh cycle.
Can I customize what a widget displays?
Some widgets let you choose what information shows up. Long-press the widget and look for an "Edit" or settings option. Not all widgets offer customization — it depends on the app. If no edit option appears, the widget shows whatever the app decides.
What if I accidentally delete a widget?
You can add it back anytime using the same steps you used to add it the first time. Long-press an empty home screen area, open the widget menu, find the app, and select the widget again. Your phone doesn't remember which widgets you had before, so you'll need to set them up again from scratch.