Removing widgets from your iPhone home screen
To delete a widget from your home screen, press and hold the widget itself until a menu appears. A row of options will pop up at the bottom of the screen. Tap the red minus icon or the "Remove" option, then confirm by tapping "Remove Widget." The widget disappears when ready, but the app that created it stays on your phone.
If you cannot see the minus icon, your phone may be in standard home screen mode rather than edit mode. Try pressing and holding the widget again, or try pressing and holding an empty area of the home screen first, then tapping "Edit" at the bottom. This enters edit mode, where the minus icons become visible on all widgets.
Removing a widget does not uninstall the app. If you want to use that widget again later, you can add it back by pressing and holding an empty home screen space, tapping the plus icon in the top left, finding the app name, and selecting the widget from the list.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any widget on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap the red minus icon or "Remove" option.
- Deleting a widget removes only that widget from your screen — the app itself remains installed on your phone.
- If your home screen is not in edit mode, press and hold an empty area first, then tap "Edit" at the bottom to make the minus icons visible.
- You can add the same widget back later by tapping the plus icon, searching for the app, and selecting the widget from its options.
Removing widgets from your lock screen
Lock screen widgets work differently than home screen widgets. To remove one, press and hold your lock screen until it enters edit mode. The widgets at the bottom will show a minus icon next to each one. Tap the minus icon next to the widget you want to remove, then tap "Remove" to confirm.
Lock screen widgets are smaller and show less information than home screen widgets. Common lock screen widgets include weather, reminders, timers, and activity rings. Removing a lock screen widget does not affect the app or any home screen widgets you may have created from the same app.
What happens when you delete a widget
Deleting a widget only removes that specific widget from your screen. The app that created it stays installed and works normally. Your data inside the app — messages, photos, notes, anything you saved — remains untouched.
If you delete a widget by mistake, you can add it back within seconds. Press and hold an empty home screen space, tap the plus icon, find the app name, and tap the widget again. You do not lose any settings or information by removing and re-adding a widget.
Removing multiple widgets at once
If you want to clean up your home screen by removing several widgets, enter edit mode by pressing and holding an empty area and tapping "Edit." Then tap the minus icon on each widget you want to remove. You can remove as many as you want before exiting edit mode.
To exit edit mode and save your changes, tap "Done" in the top right corner, or press the home button on older iPhones. All removed widgets disappear from your screen, and your home screen layout is saved.
Difference between removing a widget and deleting an app
Removing a widget and deleting an app are two separate actions. Removing a widget takes it off your screen but leaves the app installed. Deleting an app removes the entire process from your phone, including all its data.
If you remove a widget and later want to use that app, you can still open it from your app library or by searching. If you delete an app, you have to reinstall it from the App Store to use it again, and you may lose any data the app stored.
Troubleshooting widget removal problems
If the minus icon does not appear when you press and hold a widget, try pressing and holding an empty area of the home screen first. Tap "Edit" at the bottom of the screen. This puts your entire home screen into edit mode, and the minus icons should appear on all widgets and app icons.
If a widget still will not delete, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again to turn it back on. Try removing the widget again after the restart.
Some widgets built into iOS — like the clock or weather widget on the lock screen — may not be removable depending on your iOS version. If you cannot remove a specific widget, check the Apple Support website for your iOS version to see which widgets can be removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a widget delete the app?
No. Removing a widget only takes it off your screen. The app stays installed on your phone and works normally. You can still open the app from your app library or by searching for it.
Can I remove a widget from my lock screen?
Yes. Press and hold your lock screen to enter edit mode, then tap the minus icon next to the widget you want to remove. Tap "Remove" to confirm. Lock screen widgets are removed the same way as home screen widgets.
What if I accidentally delete a widget and want it back?
Press and hold an empty home screen space, tap the plus icon in the top left, find the app name, and select the widget from the list. The widget reappears on your screen with the same settings it had before.
Why can't I see the minus icon when I press and hold a widget?
Your home screen may not be in edit mode. Try pressing and holding an empty area of the screen instead, then tap "Edit" at the bottom. The minus icons should appear on all widgets and app icons once edit mode is active.
Does removing a widget free up storage space on my iPhone?
No. Removing a widget does not free up storage because the app is still installed. To free up space, you would need to delete the app itself, not just the widget.