What widgets are and where to find them on your iPhone
A widget is a small app window that shows you information or lets you do quick tasks without opening the full app. You might see weather, calendar events, reminders, or a timer — all without tapping into the app itself. Widgets live on your home screen (the main page with your app icons) or on your lock screen (the page you see when you first wake up your phone).
Every app on your iPhone can offer widgets, but not all of them do. The apps that come built into your phone — like Weather, Calendar, Reminders, and Clock — all have widgets. Many third-party apps like Spotify, DoorDash, and Notion offer them too. You'll discover which apps have widgets only when you try to add one, so don't worry about memorizing a list.
Key Takeaways
- Widgets are small windows showing app information on your home screen or lock screen without opening the full app.
- To add a widget to your home screen, long-press an empty area, tap the plus button, choose an app, and select the widget size you want.
- Lock screen widgets are smaller and added by long-pressing your lock screen, tapping the plus button, and selecting an app with a lock screen widget.
- You can move widgets by long-pressing and dragging them, or remove them by long-pressing and tapping Remove Widget.
- Not every app offers widgets — you'll only see widget options for apps that have them built in.
Adding a widget to your home screen
Start by finding an empty spot on your home screen where the widget will fit. Long-press (hold your finger down) on that empty area for about a second until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a plus sign button — tap it.
A list of apps will appear. Scroll through and find the app whose widget you want to add. Tap the app name. You'll now see the different widget sizes that app offers — usually small, medium, and large. Each size shows different information. Tap the size you want, then tap "Add Widget" at the bottom right. The widget will appear on your home screen in that spot.
If you don't see the app you're looking for in the list, that app doesn't offer a home screen widget. You can still use the app normally by tapping its icon.
Adding a widget to your lock screen
Lock screen widgets are smaller and show just one piece of information — like the current temperature or your next calendar event. To add one, long-press your lock screen (the page you see when you first wake your phone) until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap the plus sign button.
A list of apps will appear. Find the app you want and tap it. You'll see which lock screen widget sizes that app offers — usually just one or two options, much smaller than home screen widgets. Tap the size you want, then tap "Add" at the bottom right. The widget will appear on your lock screen.
Lock screen widgets are useful because you can see information without even unlocking your phone. You can add multiple widgets to your lock screen, and they'll appear in a row at the bottom.
Moving and removing widgets
Once a widget is on your screen, you can move it to a different spot. Long-press the widget itself (not the empty space around it) until a menu appears. Tap "Move" and drag the widget to where you want it. Tap elsewhere on the screen when you're done moving it.
To remove a widget, long-press it and tap "Remove Widget" from the menu. The widget disappears, but the app stays on your phone — you're just removing the widget window, not the app itself.
You can also edit a widget's settings by long-pressing it and tapping "Edit Widget" if that option appears. This lets you change what information the widget shows — for example, which calendar a Calendar widget displays, or which city a Weather widget shows.
Stacks and smart stacks
If you want to save space, you can create a stack — a single spot that holds multiple widgets stacked on top of each other. To make a stack, drag one widget on top of another widget on your home screen. They'll combine into a single stack.
A smart stack automatically rotates between widgets based on time of day or what you're doing. You don't have to set this up — it happens on its own. You can swipe up or down on a smart stack to see the other widgets inside it, or tap it to open the app.
To break apart a stack, long-press it and tap "Edit Stack," then tap the minus sign next to any widget you want to remove from the stack.
Troubleshooting widgets that won't appear
If you long-press your screen and don't see a plus button, make sure you're pressing on an empty area, not on an app icon or existing widget. Also check that you're on your home screen or lock screen — widgets don't work on other pages.
If an app doesn't show up in the widget list, that app simply doesn't offer a widget. This is common with older apps or apps that don't need to show quick information. You can still use the app by tapping its icon normally.
If a widget stops working or shows old information, try removing it and adding it again. Sometimes a widget needs to refresh. Long-press the widget, tap "Remove Widget," then add it back using the steps above.
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, and each one can show different information. For example, you could add two Weather widgets — one showing your city and one showing a different city. Just add the widget again using the same steps.
Do widgets use more battery than regular apps?
Widgets use some battery because they refresh to show new information, but the amount is small. If you notice your battery draining faster, try removing widgets you don't use regularly. Widgets that update very frequently (like stock tickers) use more battery than ones that update once an hour.
Why does my widget show old information?
Widgets refresh on a schedule set by the app, not constantly. Some widgets update every few minutes, others every hour. If a widget seems stuck, try removing it and adding it again. If it still doesn't update, the app itself may need to be updated from the App Store.
Can I resize a widget after I add it?
Not directly. You have to remove the widget and add it again, choosing a different size. Long-press the widget, tap "Remove Widget," then add it back and pick the size you want.
What's the difference between a home screen widget and a lock screen widget?
Home screen widgets are larger and show more information, but you have to unlock your phone to see them. Lock screen widgets are smaller and visible without unlocking, but they show less detail. You can use both at the same time.