Lock screen widgets show information without unlocking your phone
A lock screen widget displays live information — weather, calendar events, unread messages, fitness rings, battery status — on your phone's lock screen without requiring you to unlock it. On iPhones running iOS 16 or later, you can add multiple widgets directly to the lock screen itself. On Android phones, the process varies by manufacturer and Android version, but most recent phones offer lock screen widgets through their settings or by long-pressing the lock screen.
The main difference from home screen widgets is size: lock screen widgets are smaller and show only essential information at a glance. They update in real time, so you see current data the moment you pick up your phone.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone (iOS 16+), long-press your lock screen, tap the plus button, and select an app to add its widget.
- On Android, long-press your lock screen and look for a widgets option, though the exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer.
- Lock screen widgets are smaller than home screen widgets and show only the most essential information.
- Not every app offers a lock screen widget — check the app's settings or the widget menu to see what is available.
How to add a lock screen widget on iPhone
Start by waking your phone and looking at your lock screen. Long-press anywhere on the lock screen (not on the time or date) until the screen dims and a plus button appears at the bottom. Tap that plus button.
A menu will open showing apps that have lock screen widgets available. Scroll through the list and tap the app you want. If you do not see the app you are looking for, it may not offer a lock screen widget yet. Tap the app name, and you will see a preview of what the widget looks like. Tap "Add Widget" at the bottom of the screen.
The widget will now appear on your lock screen. You can add up to five widgets total. To add another one, long-press the lock screen again and tap the plus button. To remove a widget, long-press the lock screen, tap and hold the widget you want to remove, and select "Remove Widget."
How to add a lock screen widget on Android
The process on Android depends on which phone you have. On Samsung phones running Android 12 or later, long-press your lock screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Look for an option that says "Widgets" or "Lock screen widgets" and tap it. You will see available widgets; tap one to add it to your lock screen.
On other Android phones, long-press the lock screen and look for a plus icon or "Add" button. Tap it, then select "Widgets" from the menu that appears. Choose the widget you want and tap it to add it. Some phones may require you to go into Settings instead — look under Display or Lock Screen settings for a Widgets option.
If your phone does not show a widgets option when you long-press the lock screen, your device may not support lock screen widgets yet. Check your phone's Settings app under Display or Lock Screen to see if there is a widgets menu there.
Which apps offer lock screen widgets
Common apps with lock screen widgets include Weather, Calendar, Clock, Reminders, Stocks, Fitness, Messages, Mail, and News. On Android, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep often have lock screen widgets available. Third-party apps like Spotify, Todoist, and various fitness trackers may also offer them, though availability varies by phone and Android version.
To check whether an app has a lock screen widget, open the app and look in its settings menu for a "Widgets" or "Lock Screen" option. Some apps will tell you directly if they support lock screen widgets. If an app does not appear in your lock screen widget menu, it does not currently offer one.
Customizing lock screen widget appearance
On iPhone, some widgets let you choose how they display — for example, a weather widget might show just the temperature or the full forecast. When you add a widget, look for a settings icon or tap and hold the widget preview to see customization options. Not all widgets offer choices, but many do.
On Android, customization options depend on the app and your phone. Some widgets let you long-press them on the lock screen to access settings. Others require you to go into the app itself to change how the widget displays. Check the app's settings menu if you do not see options on the lock screen itself.
Troubleshooting lock screen widgets that do not work
If a widget appears on your lock screen but does not update, make sure the app has permission to run in the background. On iPhone, go to Settings, find the app name, and check that Background App Refresh is turned on. On Android, go to Settings, select Apps, find the app, tap Permissions, and make sure it has permission to access the information it needs (location, calendar, contacts, and so on).
If a widget disappears or stops showing, the app may have been updated or your phone's software may have changed. Try removing the widget and adding it again. If the widget menu does not appear when you long-press your lock screen, restart your phone — sometimes a restart fixes the menu from appearing.
Lock screen widgets versus home screen widgets
Lock screen widgets are visible without unlocking your phone, making them useful for information you check frequently. Home screen widgets take up more space and show more detail, but you have to unlock your phone to see them. Many apps offer both versions, so you can use a small lock screen widget for quick glances and a larger home screen widget for more information.
You can have multiple lock screen widgets on the same screen (up to five on iPhone), whereas home screen widgets compete for space on your home screen pages. Lock screen widgets update in real time, just like home screen widgets, so the information is always current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add widgets to my lock screen on older iPhones?
Lock screen widgets are only available on iPhone 14 and later with iOS 16 or newer. If you have an older iPhone, you can still use home screen widgets, but not lock screen widgets. Check your iOS version in Settings under General to confirm which features your phone supports.
Why does not my favorite app show up in the lock screen widget menu?
Not every app has created a lock screen widget yet. Developers choose which apps to add widgets to, so some popular apps may not offer them. Check the app's settings to see if a widget option exists, or look for updates — developers add new widgets over time.
How many lock screen widgets can I add?
On iPhone, you can add up to five widgets to your lock screen. On Android, the number depends on your phone's manufacturer and screen size, but most phones allow between two and five widgets. Smaller widgets take up less space, so you may fit more if you choose smaller options.
Do lock screen widgets drain my battery?
Lock screen widgets use very little battery because they are small and update only when necessary. Weather and clock widgets use almost no power. Widgets that track location or sync frequently (like fitness apps) use slightly more, but the impact is minimal. If you notice battery drain, check that background app refresh is not turned on for apps you do not need to update constantly.
Can I rearrange the order of my lock screen widgets?
On iPhone, widgets appear in the order you add them. To change the order, remove the widgets you want to move and add them again in the order you prefer. On Android, some phones let you drag widgets to reorder them, while others require you to remove and re-add them. Check your phone's lock screen settings to see if dragging is supported.