Guides

Mastering iPhone Home Screen Widgets: A Comprehensive Guide

June 18, 2026 · The Clime Team

Widgets on your iPhone provide quick access to information from your favorite apps directly on your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Today View. This guide will walk you through the process of adding, editing, and customizing widgets to enhance your iPhone experience.

What Are Widgets and Why Use Them?

Widgets are interactive elements that display timely information from your apps without the need to open them. They can show data like weather updates, calendar events, news headlines, and more, allowing you to stay informed at a glance.

How to Add Widgets to Your Home Screen

Adding widgets to your Home Screen is a straightforward process:

Enter Jiggle Mode: Touch and hold an empty area on your Home Screen until the apps begin to jiggle.
Access the Widget Gallery: Tap the Edit button in the upper-left corner, then tap Add Widget.
Select a Widget: Browse through the available widgets or use the search bar to find a specific one.
Choose a Size: Widgets come in different sizes—small, medium, and large. Select the size that fits your preference.
Add the Widget: Tap the desired widget to add it to your Home Screen.
Position the Widget: Drag the widget to your preferred location on the screen.
Finalize Placement: Tap Done to exit jiggle mode.

For more detailed instructions, refer to Apple's official guide on adding and editing widgets. (support.apple.com)

How to Add Widgets to Your Lock Screen

With iOS 16 and later, you can add widgets to your Lock Screen for quick access:

Enter Customization Mode: Touch and hold your Lock Screen until the Customize button appears, then tap Customize.
Add Widgets: Tap Add Widgets.
Select Widgets: Tap or drag the widgets you want to add to your Lock Screen.
Save Changes: After adding the desired widgets, tap the close button, then tap Done.

Detailed steps are available in Apple's support article on adding widgets to the Lock Screen. (support.apple.com)

How to Add Widgets to Today View

To add widgets to Today View:

Access Today View: Swipe right from the Home Screen or Lock Screen.
Enter Edit Mode: Touch and hold a widget or an empty area until the apps jiggle.
Add Widget: Tap Edit in the upper-left corner, then tap Add Widget.
Select Widget: Scroll down to find the widget you want to add, then tap Add Widget.
Finalize: Tap Done to save your changes.

For more information, see Apple's guide on adding widgets to Today View. (support.apple.com)

How to Edit Widgets

Some widgets offer customization options:

Open Quick Actions: Touch and hold the widget you want to edit.
Edit Widget: Tap Edit Widget from the quick actions menu.
Adjust Settings: Modify the widget's settings as desired.
Save Changes: Tap outside the widget to exit edit mode.

For example, you can edit the Weather widget to display the forecast for your current location or a different location. (support.apple.com)

How to Use Widget Stacks

Widget Stacks allow you to stack multiple widgets on top of each other, saving space and providing easy access to various information:

Create a Stack: Touch and hold a widget, then drag it on top of another widget.
Add More Widgets: Continue stacking widgets as desired.
Customize Stack: Touch and hold the stack, then tap Edit Stack to reorder widgets or enable Smart Rotate.

Smart Rotate automatically displays the most relevant widget based on factors like time, location, and activity. (support.apple.com)

How to Remove Widgets

To remove a widget from your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Today View:

Enter Edit Mode: Touch and hold the widget you want to remove.
Remove Widget: Tap Remove Widget from the quick actions menu.
Confirm Removal: Tap Remove to confirm.

For more details, refer to Apple's support page on adding, editing, and removing widgets. (support.apple.com)

Conclusion

Widgets are a powerful feature on your iPhone, providing quick access to essential information and enhancing your overall user experience. By customizing your widgets, you can tailor your device to meet your specific needs and preferences.

Highlights:

How to add and edit widgets on your iPhone - Apple Support, Published on Tuesday, September 16