What widgets are and where to find them
A widget is a small app window that lives on your home screen and shows you information without opening the full program. Weather widgets show the forecast, clock widgets display the time, and calendar widgets let you see your schedule at a glance. Widgets save you from tapping into an app every time you want a quick piece of information.
Where you find widgets depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or tablet. On both systems, widgets come from apps you already have installed — you cannot add a widget from an app that is not on your device. The steps to add one are slightly different for each type of phone, but the basic idea is the same: long-press on your home screen, find the widget menu, and drag the widget where you want it.
Key Takeaways
- Widgets are small windows that show app information on your home screen without opening the full app.
- You can only add widgets from apps that are already installed on your phone or tablet.
- On iPhones, long-press an empty area of your home screen, tap the plus button, choose an app, and select the widget size you want.
- On Android phones, long-press your home screen, tap Widgets, find the app, and drag the widget to your screen.
- You can move, resize, or remove widgets anytime by long-pressing them and choosing the option you need.
Adding widgets on iPhone
Start by opening your home screen and finding an empty area where the widget will fit. Long-press that empty space — hold your finger down for about a second until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap the plus sign button in the lower left corner.
A list of your installed apps will appear. Scroll down to find the app whose widget you want to add. Tap the app name, and you will see the available widget sizes for that app. Some apps offer one size, others offer two or three. Choose the size you want by tapping it, then tap "Add Widget" at the bottom right. The widget will appear on your home screen in the spot where you long-pressed.
If the widget does not land exactly where you want it, you can move it. Long-press the widget itself, tap "Move," and drag it to a new location. Tap anywhere else on the screen when you are done moving it.
Adding widgets on Android
Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears. Look for an option that says "Widgets" — on most Android phones this appears as a button at the bottom of the screen, but the exact location varies by phone brand. Tap Widgets.
You will see a list of all the widgets available from your installed apps. Find the app you want and tap and hold the widget name. Drag it onto your home screen. When you release your finger, the widget will stick to that spot. Some widgets will ask you to choose a size or configure settings before they appear — follow the on-screen prompts if this happens.
If a widget lands in the wrong place, long-press it and drag it to a new location. To remove a widget, long-press it and look for a "Remove" option or an X button.
Resizing and moving widgets
Most widgets can be made larger or smaller. On iPhone, long-press the widget and tap "Edit Widget" if that option appears — not all widgets can be resized. On Android, long-press the widget and look for a resize handle, usually shown as a small square or circle at the edge of the widget. Drag that handle to make the widget bigger or smaller.
Moving a widget works the same way on both phones: long-press it and drag it to a new spot. You can place widgets next to each other, stack them, or spread them across multiple home screen pages. Experiment to find the layout that works best for you.
Troubleshooting widgets that will not appear
If you cannot find a widget for an app you want, the app may not offer one. Not every app has a widget — check the app store listing for that app to see if a widget is available. Search the app name plus the word "widget" to find out.
If you see the widget listed but it will not add to your screen, your phone may not have enough space. Make room by removing other widgets or apps, or by creating a new home screen page. On iPhone, swipe to the right at the edge of your home screen to add a new page. On Android, swipe right from your home screen and tap the plus sign to add a page.
Some widgets require you to sign into an account or give the app permission to access certain information — like location or calendar data. If a widget is grayed out or will not work after you add it, open the full app and check its settings to see what permissions it needs.
Removing widgets you no longer want
Removing a widget is quick. Long-press the widget until a menu appears. On iPhone, tap "Remove Widget" and confirm. On Android, look for a "Remove" option or an X button and tap it. The widget disappears immediately, and the space it took up becomes empty again.
Removing a widget does not uninstall the app — the app stays on your phone. You can add the widget back anytime by following the same steps you used to add it the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use widgets from apps I have not installed?
No. Widgets only come from apps that are already on your phone. If you want a widget for a particular app, you must install that app first from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once the app is installed, its widgets become available to add.
Do widgets use a lot of battery?
Most widgets use very little battery because they update information only when you look at your home screen. Some widgets that update constantly — like weather or stock price widgets — may use slightly more battery than others, but the difference is usually small. If battery drain becomes a problem, you can remove the widget.
Why does my widget show old information?
Widgets update on a schedule set by the app developer, not constantly. A weather widget might update every 30 minutes, while a calendar widget updates when you open the calendar app. If information looks outdated, open the full app to refresh it, or wait for the widget's next scheduled update.
Can I put the same widget on multiple home screens?
Yes. Follow the same steps to add the widget on each screen where you want it. You can have the same widget in multiple places, and they will all show the same information.
What happens to my widgets if I update my phone's software?
Your widgets usually stay in place after a software update. Occasionally an update changes how widgets work, and you may need to re-add them, but this is rare. If widgets disappear after an update, long-press your home screen and add them back using the steps above.