Widgets put quick information from apps directly on the iPhone Home Screen or Lock Screen. Weather, Calendar, Batteries, Photos, Reminders, and many third-party apps can show useful details without opening the full app.
This guide applies to iPhones running iOS 17 or iOS 18. Lock Screen widgets require iOS 16 or later, and StandBy widgets require iOS 17 or later while the iPhone is charging in landscape orientation.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want to add a widget, move it, choose a size, create a widget stack, place widgets on the Lock Screen, or remove a widget without deleting the app.
Add a Widget to the Home Screen
Most Apple apps and many third-party apps support Home Screen widgets.
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the app icons begin to jiggle.
- Tap the plus button in the top corner to open the widget gallery.
- Search or scroll for the app you want, such as Weather, Calendar, Batteries, or Photos.
- Swipe through the available widget sizes and layouts.
- Tap Add Widget.
- Drag it where you want it, then tap Done to finish.
Add a Widget to the Lock Screen
Lock Screen widgets sit below the time and can be viewed before you unlock the iPhone.
- Wake the iPhone, then touch and hold the Lock Screen until customization options appear.
- Tap Customize and choose Lock Screen.
- Tap the widget area under the date and time.
- Select a widget from the list. Lock Screen widgets are usually smaller, glanceable versions of app information.
- Tap outside the widget picker, then tap Done.
Manage Widgets After Adding Them
Create a Stack
Drag one widget on top of another widget of the same size to create a stack. Swipe up or down on the stack to switch widgets, or touch and hold it and choose Edit Stack to adjust Smart Rotate.
Edit a Widget
Touch and hold a widget and tap Edit Widget when available. Some widgets let you choose a list, album, location, calendar, or other data source.
Remove a Widget
Touch and hold the widget, choose Remove Widget, and confirm. This removes only the widget; the app stays installed.
Refresh Stale Widget Data
If a widget shows old weather, calendar, or photo information, open the related app once and check Settings > General > Background App Refresh for that app.
Sources
- Apple Support: Add widgets on your iPhone
- Apple Support: Customize your Lock Screen on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use widget stacks on iPhone