How to Add Widgets to iPhone or iPad
Widgets show live info — weather, calendar, battery — right on your home screen. Here is how to add and arrange them on iOS 17 and later.
4 min read · 6 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Enter jiggle mode
Press and hold on an empty space on your home screen — anywhere that does not have an app icon. After about one second, all the icons will start to wobble and a small minus sign will appear on each one. This is called "jiggle mode" and it means your home screen is ready to be edited. You will also see a "+" button in the top-left corner.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: On newer iPhones, you can also press and hold directly on an app icon and choose "Edit Home Screen" from the menu that appears.
Step 2. Open the widget gallery
Tap the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen. A widget gallery will slide up from the bottom showing all the available widgets. At the top is a search bar, and below that are suggestions. You can scroll down to see widgets organized by app name, or type in the search bar to find a specific one — for example, type "Weather" to see all weather-related widgets.
Step 3. Choose a widget
Tap on any widget in the gallery to see more details. Most widgets come in multiple sizes — swipe left and right to preview each size. When you find the size you want, tap the "Add Widget" button at the bottom of the screen. The widget will be added to your home screen automatically.
Step 4. Move the widget into position
After adding the widget, your home screen will still be in jiggle mode. Press and hold the new widget and drag it to wherever you want it on the screen. You can drag it between pages by holding it at the left or right edge of the screen. Release your finger when the widget is in the right place.
Warning
Widgets cannot go in the dock at the bottom of the screen — only the four rows above the dock.
Step 5. Customize the widget (if available)
Some widgets let you change what they show. While still in jiggle mode, tap the widget once to open its settings — if customization is available, you will see options like choosing a specific city for weather or selecting which calendar to display. Make your selections and tap outside the panel to close it.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: Not every widget has customization options. If tapping it does not open any settings, that widget shows the same info for everyone.
Step 6. Save your changes
When you are happy with your home screen arrangement, tap "Done" in the top-right corner of the screen, or press the side button (or Home button on older iPhones). The icons will stop wobbling and your new layout is saved. Your widgets will now show live information and update automatically throughout the day.
Widgets are small panels on your iPhone or iPad home screen that show useful information at a glance — without needing to open any app. For example, a Weather widget can show today's forecast, a Calendar widget can show your next appointment, and a Battery widget can show how much charge your iPhone and AirPods have left.
Widgets were introduced in a big way with iOS 14 and have improved with each update. If your iPhone runs iOS 17 or later, you have access to a wide variety of widgets from Apple and from many third-party apps you may already have installed.
Widgets come in three sizes: small (takes up four app icons worth of space), medium (eight app icons), and large (sixteen app icons). You can mix and match sizes on any home screen page.
There is also a feature called a "Smart Stack" — a small pile of widgets that automatically rotates throughout the day showing the most relevant one. For example, in the morning it might show your calendar, and in the evening it might show the weather.
Widgets do more than look nice. They can save you time. Instead of unlocking your phone and finding an app, a glance at your home screen can answer common questions like "What is the weather?" or "When is my next meeting?" This guide walks you through adding your first widget and arranging your home screen the way you want it.
Official sources
- Apple Support — support.apple.com
- iPhone User Guide — support.apple.com
- AppleCare contact options — support.apple.com
Still stuck?
A real person can walk you through it over the phone.
Get help from a person