Where to find and add widgets on your iPhone
You add widgets through the same screen where you manage your apps. Press and hold any empty space on your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom — tap the plus sign in that menu. A list of your installed apps appears; tap any app name to see what widgets it offers, then tap the widget you want. Choose your widget size (small, medium, or large), then tap "Add Widget" and confirm where it goes.
Lock screen widgets work differently. Press and hold your lock screen itself until you see "Customize" at the bottom. Tap it, then tap the plus sign. Select an app, pick a widget, and it appears on your lock screen. Lock screen widgets are smaller and show just one piece of information — the weather, your next calendar event, or unread messages — without opening the app.
Not every app offers widgets. If you don't see a widget option when you tap an app name, that app doesn't have one. Apple's built-in apps like Calendar, Weather, Reminders, and Clock all have widgets. Many third-party apps do too, but some don't.
Key Takeaways
- Home screen widgets appear on your main screens and open the app when tapped; lock screen widgets show live information without opening anything.
- You add home screen widgets by pressing and holding an empty space, tapping the plus sign, selecting an app, and choosing a size.
- Lock screen widgets are smaller and added by pressing and holding the lock screen itself, then tapping Customize.
- Only apps that have built widgets will appear in the widget menu — not every app offers one.
Choosing the right widget size for your layout
iPhone widgets come in three sizes: small (a single square), medium (two squares wide), and large (two squares wide and two tall). Small widgets take up minimal space and work well if you want to fit many on one screen. Medium widgets show more information — a calendar widget in medium size shows several days at once, while small shows only one. Large widgets display the most detail but take up significant screen real estate.
Your home screen is a 6-by-5 grid (on most iPhones). A small widget is 1 square, a medium is 2 wide by 2 tall, and a large is 2 wide by 4 tall. Plan your layout before adding widgets. If you want a weather widget, a calendar, and your app icons all visible, use small or medium widgets. If you want one widget to dominate the screen, use large.
Rearranging and removing widgets
To move a widget, press and hold it until a menu appears. Tap "Move" and drag it to a new location, or tap "Remove" to delete it. You can also press and hold an empty space to enter edit mode, then drag any widget to reposition it. Tap "Done" when finished.
Removing a widget from your home screen does not uninstall the app. The app stays on your phone and in your app library. You can add the widget back anytime by following the same steps: press and hold empty space, tap the plus sign, find the app, and select the widget again.
Adding widgets from apps you already have installed
You do not need to read anything new to add widgets. If an app is already on your phone and it has a widget, you can add that widget when ready. Open the widget menu (press and hold, tap plus), scroll through your installed apps, and look for ones with widget icons next to their names. Apps like Spotify, Stocks, News, Fitness, and Health all have widgets built in.
Some apps add widget support in updates. If you update an app and suddenly see it in the widget menu when it wasn't there before, that's because the developer added widget functionality. Check your app updates regularly if you want access to more widgets over time.
Understanding smart stack and widget stacking
A smart stack is a single space on your home screen that holds multiple widgets stacked on top of each other. You swipe up or down on the stack to cycle through them. This saves screen space when you want quick access to several pieces of information — for example, a weather widget, a calendar widget, and a reminders widget all in one medium-sized space.
To create a smart stack, add one widget, then drag another widget directly on top of it. The two stack together. You can add more widgets to the same stack by dragging them on top. Swipe on the stack to see each widget. To remove one widget from a stack without deleting the others, press and hold the stack, tap "Edit Stack", tap the minus sign next to the widget you want to remove, then tap "Done".
Syncing widgets across your devices
Your home screen layout and widgets do not automatically sync to other iPhones or iPads you own. If you set up a new iPhone from a backup of your old one, your widgets and home screen arrangement will restore to match your old phone. If you set up a new phone as new, you start with a blank home screen and must add widgets manually.
If you want the same widgets on multiple devices, add them to each device separately. The process is the same on iPad, though iPad screens are larger and can fit more widgets at once. Your lock screen widgets also do not sync between devices, so you'll need to customize each lock screen individually.
Troubleshooting widgets that won't appear or update
If a widget appears but shows no information, or if it stops updating, restart your phone first. Press and hold the power button, slide to power off, wait ten seconds, then power back on. If the widget still doesn't work, try removing it and adding it again.
If an app's widget doesn't appear in the widget menu at all, check that the app is fully updated. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down, and look for the app in the "Pending Updates" section. If it's there, tap "Update". Some widgets also require you to grant the app permission to access certain data — for example, a calendar widget needs calendar access. Go to Settings, tap Privacy, and check that the app has the permissions it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add the same widget multiple times?
Yes. You can add the same widget to your home screen as many times as you want, in different sizes or locations. For example, you could have a small weather widget and a large weather widget on the same screen, or the same widget on multiple home screens.
Do widgets use more battery than checking the app?
Widgets that update frequently can use more battery than opening an app once. Lock screen widgets use very little battery because they update less often. If battery life is a concern, use fewer widgets or remove ones that update constantly, like stock tickers or live sports scores.
What's the difference between a widget and an app icon?
An app icon opens the full app when you tap it. A widget shows live information from the app without opening it — you can see your calendar events, unread messages, or weather without launching anything. Some widgets let you perform quick actions, like checking off a to-do item, without opening the app.
Can I put widgets on a folder?
No. Widgets can only go on your home screen or lock screen, not inside folders. If you want to organize your screen, use folders for apps and place widgets in the spaces between them.
Why does my widget show old information?
Widgets update on a schedule set by the app developer, not constantly. Some widgets refresh every few minutes, others every hour. If a widget seems stuck, try swiping away the app from your recent apps list (swipe up from the bottom and hold, then swipe up on the app). This forces the app to close and refresh when the widget next updates.