The basic steps for adding a lock screen widget
On most phones, you add a lock screen widget by long-pressing the lock screen itself, then selecting the widget from a menu. The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, but both let you place small, useful apps directly on the screen you see before you unlock.
The reason this works is that lock screen widgets are designed to show information without letting someone access your full apps or files. A weather widget shows the temperature. A calendar widget shows your next appointment. Neither one opens the full app or requires you to unlock your phone.
Before you start, know that not every app has a lock screen widget. Common ones that do include weather, calendar, reminders, news, fitness trackers, and music players. If an app you want doesn't offer a lock screen widget, that app's developer hasn't built one yet.
Key Takeaways
- Lock screen widgets on iPhones are added by long-pressing the lock screen, tapping the plus button, and selecting an app from the widget menu.
- Android lock screen widgets are added by long-pressing the lock screen, selecting "Widgets" or "Add widgets", and dragging the widget to your lock screen.
- Not all apps offer lock screen widgets, so you may only see options for apps that support them.
- Lock screen widgets show limited information and do not let someone unlock your phone or access your full apps.
Adding a widget on iPhone
Start by waking your lock screen and long-pressing anywhere on it. A menu will appear at the bottom with options including "Customize". Tap "Customize".
Next, tap the plus button (usually in the lower left corner). A list of apps that support lock screen widgets will appear. Scroll through and select the app whose widget you want to add. For example, if you want a weather widget, tap "Weather".
After you tap the app, you will see different widget styles for that app. Some apps offer multiple sizes or display options. Select the one you want, then tap "Add Widget". The widget will now appear on your lock screen. You can add multiple widgets — most iPhones let you fit two or three depending on their size.
If you want to remove a widget later, long-press the lock screen again, tap "Customize", then tap the minus button next to the widget you want to remove.
Adding a widget on Android
The steps vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer, but the general process is the same. Start by long-pressing your lock screen. A menu will appear with options that may say "Widgets", "Add widgets", "Customize lock screen", or similar language.
Tap the option that mentions widgets or customization. A list of available lock screen widgets will appear. Select the app whose widget you want to add. Some Android phones let you preview what the widget will look like before you add it.
Once you select a widget, you may be able to drag it to a specific location on your lock screen, or it may automatically place itself. Some Android phones let you add multiple widgets; others limit you to one. If your phone limits you to one, adding a second widget will replace the first.
To remove a widget on Android, long-press the lock screen, find the widget in the customization menu, and select "Remove" or tap the minus button.
Which apps usually have lock screen widgets
The built-in apps on your phone almost always support lock screen widgets. On iPhone, this includes Weather, Calendar, Reminders, Stocks, and News. On Android, it typically includes Google Calendar, Google Weather, Google Tasks, and Google Clock, though this varies by manufacturer.
Popular third-party apps that often support lock screen widgets include Spotify, Fitbit, Strava, Todoist, and various news apps. However, support depends on when the app was last updated — older apps may not have lock screen widgets yet.
If you do not see an app in the widget menu, that app does not currently offer a lock screen widget. You can still use the app normally by unlocking your phone and opening it from your home screen.
Why some widgets appear blank or do not update
A lock screen widget that shows no information or stops updating usually means the app does not have permission to run in the background. Go to your phone's Settings, find the app, and check that background activity or notifications are turned on. The exact location depends on your phone, but it is usually under "App Permissions" or "Battery".
Another common reason is that the widget needs internet access and your phone is in airplane mode or has lost its connection. Check that Wi-Fi or cellular data is on.
If a widget still does not work after checking these things, try removing it and adding it again. Sometimes a widget gets stuck and needs to be refreshed.
Lock screen widgets and your phone's security
Lock screen widgets are designed so that someone looking at your phone cannot use them to unlock it or access your apps. A weather widget shows only the temperature. A calendar widget shows only your next appointment. They cannot be tapped to open the full app without unlocking your phone first.
However, some widgets do show sensitive information. A calendar widget might display a private appointment title. A reminder widget might show a personal note. If you are concerned about someone seeing your lock screen, you can choose widgets that show less personal information, or you can remove widgets entirely.
Lock screen widgets do not slow down your phone or drain your battery significantly, but widgets that update very frequently (like a stock ticker updating every minute) use slightly more power than widgets that update once an hour. If battery life is a concern, choose widgets that update less often.
Troubleshooting widgets that will not add
If you try to add a widget and the app does not appear in the widget menu, the app may not support lock screen widgets yet. Check the app's settings or help page to confirm. Some apps require you to turn on a specific permission before their widget becomes available.
On iPhone, if the plus button does not appear when you long-press the lock screen, make sure you are pressing and holding for at least one second. A quick press will not open the customization menu.
On Android, if the widget menu does not appear, try long-pressing a different area of the lock screen. Some phones require you to press in a specific zone. If that does not work, restart your phone and try again.
If you have recently updated an app and its widget disappeared, the update may have removed lock screen widget support. Check the app's version history or contact the app's developer to ask when the widget will return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone use my lock screen widget to unlock my phone?
No. Lock screen widgets are designed to show information only. They cannot be used to unlock your phone or open the full app without entering your passcode or using your face or fingerprint first. Tapping a lock screen widget will not unlock anything.
Do lock screen widgets drain my battery?
Lock screen widgets use very little battery, especially if they update infrequently. A weather widget that updates once an hour uses almost no power. A widget that updates every minute uses slightly more. If you are concerned about battery life, remove widgets that update very often.
Why does my widget show old information?
The app probably does not have permission to update in the background. Go to Settings, find the app, and turn on background activity or background refresh. You may also need to check that the app has permission to use the internet.
Can I use widgets from apps I have not installed?
No. You must install the app first before you can add its lock screen widget. The widget is part of the app, so both come together.
What is the difference between a lock screen widget and a home screen widget?
Lock screen widgets appear on the screen you see before you unlock your phone. Home screen widgets appear after you unlock and are usually larger and more interactive. Most apps that support lock screen widgets also support home screen widgets, but not always.