iPhone (iOS) · Personalization
Add and arrange Home Screen widgets
Widgets show live, glanceable information from an app directly on the Home Screen or Today View, in small, medium, large, or Smart Stack sizes.
How to open Home Screen Widgets
- Long-press an empty spot on the Home Screen until icons jiggle.
- Tap the + button in the top corner.
- Search for or scroll to the desired app.
- Swipe through available sizes and tap Add Widget.
- Drag the widget to the preferred position, then tap Done.
What you should know
- Long-press an empty area of the Home Screen to enter jiggle mode, then tap the + button.
- Browse widgets by app or search by name, then choose a size before adding.
- Smart Stacks automatically surface the most relevant widget based on time and habits.
- Widgets can be placed anywhere on the Home Screen since iOS 14, not just in Today View.
Why it matters
Widgets reduce how often a person needs to open an app just to check a small piece of information, like weather, battery levels, or the next calendar event. Well-chosen widgets turn the Home Screen into a personalized dashboard rather than just a grid of launch icons. Because widgets update in the background on a schedule set by the system, they also offer a lower-friction alternative to notifications for information that doesn't need to interrupt the user. Thoughtful widget placement is one of the most visible forms of iPhone personalization.
Best practices
- Use Smart Stacks so the system rotates widgets automatically instead of manually swapping them.
- Limit large widgets to one or two per screen to avoid crowding out app icons.
- Remove widgets for apps that are rarely opened to keep the Home Screen purposeful.
- Pair widgets with Focus filters so different widgets show for Work versus Personal contexts.
Common problems and fixes
- A widget shows stale or blank data.
- Open the source app once so it can refresh in the background, then check that Background App Refresh is enabled for it.
- Can't find a specific widget size.
- Not every app offers every size; scroll through the available sizes shown for that app in the widget gallery.
- Widgets disappear after a restore.
- Widgets tied to third-party apps need those apps reinstalled before the widget can be re-added.
Tips and tricks
- Tap and hold a widget directly to get quick edit options without entering jiggle mode.
- Stack multiple widgets by dragging one on top of another to save space.
Frequently asked questions
Can widgets be interactive?
Yes, since iOS 17 many widgets support small interactions like checking off a to-do item without opening the app.
Do widgets use extra battery?
Widgets refresh on a system-managed schedule designed to minimize battery impact, though very frequent-updating widgets can use more power.
Can I put widgets on the Lock Screen too?
Yes, Lock Screen widgets are added separately through the Lock Screen customization editor.
Related settings
- Home Screen & App LibraryHome Screen settings control how new apps are added and how your app pages are arranged, while App Library automatically sorts every installed app into categorized folders you can browse or search without needing a tidy Home Screen at all.
- Lock Screen & StandByStandBy turns your iPhone into a glanceable bedside display of clocks, widgets, and Live Activities whenever it's charging and turned sideways, while Lock Screen settings control what you see without unlocking the device at all.
- Action ButtonOn iPhone 15 Pro and later, the Action Button replaces the mute switch and can be assigned to trigger Silent Mode, Camera, Flashlight, a Shortcut, Accessibility features, and more with a press-and-hold.
More Personalization guides for iPhone (iOS)
- Control CenterControl Center gives you one-swipe access to frequently used toggles and shortcuts — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, Flashlight, and more — and can be fully customized with the specific controls you personally rely on.
- WallpaperWallpaper settings let you personalize your Lock Screen and Home Screen with photos, curated presets, or Photo Shuffle rotations, plus Lock Screen extras like widgets, filters, and a customizable time display.
- Display ZoomDisplay Zoom scales the entire interface larger (Zoomed) or shows more content at once (Standard), changing the effective size of icons, text, and controls together.
- Back Tap GesturesBack Tap lets a double or triple tap on the back of the iPhone launch an action or Shortcut, without touching the screen or any physical button.
- Tap to Wake & Raise to WakeRaise to Wake turns the screen on when the iPhone is lifted, while Tap to Wake turns it on with a single tap anywhere on the display while it's lying flat.
- Contact PosterContact Poster lets you design a full-screen photo, Memoji, or typography treatment that appears on the recipient's screen when you call them, replacing the plain name-and-number caller ID.