What a widget is and where it goes
A widget is a small app window that lives on your iPhone home screen and shows you information without opening the full app. Weather widgets show the current temperature. Calendar widgets show your next appointment. News widgets show headlines. Instead of tapping the app icon, waiting for it to load, and hunting for the information you want, the widget displays it right there on your screen.
Widgets sit on your home screen alongside your app icons, or in a separate area called the lock screen (the screen you see when your phone is locked). Most people add widgets to their home screen first because that is where you see them most often.
Not every app has a widget. Popular apps like Weather, Calendar, Reminders, and News do. Many third-party apps like Spotify, DoorDash, and Slack have widgets too. If an app does not offer a widget, you will not see it as an option when you try to add one.
Key Takeaways
- Widgets are small windows that show app information on your home screen without opening the full app.
- You add a widget by long-pressing an empty area of your home screen, tapping the plus button, and selecting the app and widget size you want.
- Not every app has a widget, and you can only add widgets from apps already installed on your phone.
- You can remove a widget by long-pressing it and tapping Remove Widget, and you can move it by dragging it to a new location.
How to add a widget to your home screen
Start by going to your home screen — the main screen with your app icons. Find an empty area where the widget will fit. Widgets take up different amounts of space depending on their size, so you may need to move some apps around first to make room.
Long-press (hold your finger down) on the empty area for about one second. A menu will appear with options at the bottom. Tap the plus button (it looks like a + sign in a circle). This opens the widget gallery.
Scroll through the list of apps until you find the one whose widget you want to add. Tap the app name. The screen will show you the different widget sizes available for that app — usually small, medium, and large. Tap the size you want. Then tap Add Widget. The widget will appear on your home screen in the location you long-pressed.
Moving and removing widgets
Once a widget is on your home screen, you can move it to a different location. Long-press the widget itself (not the home screen around it). The widget will highlight and your apps will start to jiggle slightly. Drag the widget to where you want it and release. Tap anywhere on the home screen to stop the jiggling.
To remove a widget, long-press it the same way. Instead of dragging, tap Remove Widget from the menu that appears. The widget will disappear, but the app itself stays on your phone.
Adding widgets to your lock screen
Your lock screen — the screen you see when your phone is locked — can also hold widgets. These are usually smaller and show just one piece of information, like the current time, next calendar event, or unread message count.
To add a lock screen widget, long-press your lock screen (the locked screen, not the home screen). Tap Customize at the bottom. Tap the plus button to open the widget gallery, choose an app, and select a lock screen widget size. Tap Add Widget. The widget will appear on your lock screen.
Troubleshooting widgets that will not appear
If you cannot find a widget for an app you want to use, the app may not have one. Check the App Store page for that app — the description usually mentions if widgets are available. If the app does have a widget but you do not see it in the widget gallery, try closing and reopening the App Store, or restart your phone.
If a widget appears but shows no information (like a blank weather widget), the app may need permission to access your location, calendar, or other data. Open the app itself and check its settings. You may need to go to Settings > Privacy and turn on the permission the app needs.
If a widget crashes or freezes, long-press it and remove it, then add it again. If the problem continues, restart your phone or update the app through the App Store.
Widget sizes and what they show
Most apps offer widgets in three sizes. A small widget is usually a 2×2 square and shows minimal information — maybe just a weather icon and temperature. A medium widget is typically 2×4 (two columns, four rows) and shows more detail, like a five-day forecast or your next three calendar events. A large widget is 4×4 and displays the most information, sometimes with a graph or full list.
You can add multiple widgets from the same app if you want. For example, you could add a small weather widget and a medium weather widget to see both a quick glance and more detail. Each widget takes up space on your home screen, so you may need to organize your apps to fit them all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a widget from an app I have not installed yet?
No. You can only add widgets from apps already on your phone. If you want a widget for an app, read the app from the App Store first, then add the widget.
Do widgets use a lot of battery?
Widgets use very little battery because they update in the background and do not run the full app. A weather widget, for example, checks the weather every few hours but does not drain your battery noticeably.
Can I arrange widgets in a specific order?
Yes. Long-press any widget and drag it to rearrange. You can also move app icons the same way. Widgets and apps can be arranged however you want on your home screen.
What happens to a widget if I delete the app?
The widget disappears from your home screen automatically. If you reinstall the app later, you can add the widget again.
Can I resize a widget after I add it?
Not directly. You have to remove the widget and add it again in a different size. Long-press the widget, tap Remove Widget, then add it again and choose a new size.