Remember when your iPhone Home Screen was just a rigid grid of static icons? Those days are long gone. With the evolution of iOS, Apple finally gave us the keys to the castle, allowing us to break free from the standard app grid and customize our phones to reflect our personalities and workflows. We are, of course, talking about widgets.
Widgets are more than just pretty decorations; they are windows into your apps. They offer bite-sized information at a glance—weather updates, calendar events, battery levels, and to-do lists—without you ever needing to open an app. Whether you want to turn your device into a productivity powerhouse or simply want a minimalist aesthetic that matches your outfit, there is a widget configuration waiting for you.
If you have been hesitant to mess up your current layout, or simply don't know where to start, you are in the right place. We have curated a list of the top iOS widgets that will completely transform how you interact with your iPhone, along with practical tips on how to use them effectively.
1. The Essentials: Native Widgets You Can't Ignore
Before we dive into the App Store, we have to give credit to Apple’s native widgets. They are optimized for battery life, blend perfectly with the system design, and cover the basics better than most people realize. If you aren't using these yet, start here.
The Batteries Widget
If you live in the Apple ecosystem, this is non-negotiable. The Batteries widget displays the power levels of your iPhone, AirPods (and their case), and Apple Watch all in one place. It saves you from that moment of panic when you put your headphones in for a run only to realize they are dead.
The Fitness Widget
For those closing their rings, having the Fitness widget front and center provides necessary motivation. Seeing your activity rings fill up throughout the day serves as a constant, subtle reminder to stand up and move around.
Suggestions (Siri Suggestions)
This is the "smartest" widget available. It uses on-device machine learning to present a row of apps it thinks you will use next based on your habits. If you always check the News in the morning and Spotify in the evening, this widget changes automatically to suit your routine.
Pro Tip: Don't clutter your main Home Screen page. Place your most "glanceable" widgets (like Weather and Calendar) at the very top of your first page, and keep your most-used apps within thumb's reach at the bottom.
2. Level Up Your Productivity
Once you have mastered the basics, it is time to look at third-party apps that help you get things done. These widgets turn your Home Screen into a command center.
Fantastical
While the default Apple Calendar is fine, Fantastical is in a league of its own. Its widgets are beautiful and incredibly functional. You can see your full month view alongside a list of today's events. What sets it apart is the visualization of your day; it uses color-coded bars to show how busy you are at a glance, helping you mentally prepare for the day ahead without reading a single word.
Things 3
If you are a fan of to-do lists, Things 3 offers some of the cleanest, most elegant widgets on the market. You can set up a widget specifically for your "Today" list. Checking off items directly from the Home Screen is deeply satisfying and keeps you focused on your immediate tasks rather than getting lost in the app itself.
Drafts
Do you ever have a brilliant idea, only to forget it by the time you find your notes app? Drafts is designed for speed. Their widget allows you to tap a single button on your Home Screen and immediately start typing or dictating. It removes the friction between having a thought and capturing it.
3. Aesthetic Overhaul: Making It Yours
Functionality is great, but sometimes you just want your phone to look cool. The introduction of widgets birthed a new genre of apps designed purely for customization.
Widgetsmith
You cannot talk about iOS customization without mentioning Widgetsmith. This app went viral for a reason. It allows you to create custom widgets for time, date, weather, astronomy, and photos. You can choose the font, the tint color, and the background color to match a specific wallpaper or theme.
For example, if you want a "Cyberpunk" aesthetic, you can set up a neon yellow clock against a black background. If you prefer "Cottagecore," you can choose a floral background with a soft serif font. Widgetsmith also allows you to schedule widgets to appear at certain times of the day—showing the weather in the morning and your calendar during the workday.
Photo Widget: Simple
Sometimes you just want to see a picture of your dog, your partner, or a recent vacation. While Apple’s native Photos widget cycles through "Featured" photos (which you can't always control), third-party apps like Photo Widget allow you to create a specific album that rotates through images you actually want to see.
Design Note: When creating an aesthetic theme, try to match your app icons to your widgets. You can use the "Shortcuts" app to create custom icons for your apps, creating a seamless visual experience.
4. The Unsung Hero: Smart Stacks
One of the biggest complaints about widgets is that they take up too much screen real estate. A large widget can take the place of 16 app icons! This is where Smart Stacks come in to save the day.
A Smart Stack allows you to pile multiple widgets of the same size on top of one another. You can then swipe vertically through them. This means you can have your Calendar, Weather, and Music controls all occupying the same physical space on your screen.
Even better, if you enable "Smart Rotate," your iPhone will try to show you the relevant widget automatically. It might show you the Weather when you wake up, your Calendar before a meeting, and your Activity rings in the evening.
How to create a Smart Stack:
- Long-press a widget on your Home Screen until everything starts jiggling.
- Drag that widget directly on top of another widget of the same size.
- Release your finger. You have now created a stack!
- You can add up to 10 widgets to a single stack.
5. Information at a Glance
Finally, let's look at widgets that keep you informed about the world around you. These are perfect for filling in the gaps in your daily knowledge.
Carrot Weather
If you find standard weather reports boring, you need Carrot. It provides hyper-local weather data with a side of personality. You can adjust the "snark" level of the AI, ranging from professional to downright homicidal. The widgets are highly customizable, offering data points like UV index, precipitation chances, and wind speed in various layouts.
Parcel
In the age of online shopping, tracking deliveries can be a hassle. Parcel integrates with Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and others to track your packages. Their widget sits quietly on your screen and updates you on delivery statuses. Seeing "Out for Delivery" right on your Home Screen is a small joy that never gets old.
WaterMinder
Health isn't just about closing activity rings; it's also about hydration. WaterMinder offers a visual representation of a human body filling up with water as you log your intake. It’s a simple visual cue that prompts you to drink water throughout the day without being annoying.
How to Add Your First Widget
If you are reading this and realizing you have never actually added a widget, don't worry. It is incredibly simple. Here is the quick step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Enter Jiggle Mode: Long-press on any empty area of your Home Screen until the apps start to shake.
- Tap the Plus Button: Look for a + icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Browse the Gallery: You will see a search bar and a list of apps that support widgets. Scroll through or search for the app you want.
- Choose Your Size: Most widgets come in three sizes: Small (square), Medium (horizontal rectangle), and Large (big square). Swipe left and right to choose the size that fits your needs.
- Add Widget: Tap the "Add Widget" button at the bottom.
- Place It: Drag the widget to your desired location. Your apps will automatically move out of the way to make room.
- Finish: Tap "Done" in the top-right corner.
Battery Warning: While widgets are fantastic, keep in mind that widgets that update frequently (like live weather or GPS tracking) can consume slightly more battery. If you are struggling with battery life, try removing a few widgets to see if it helps.
Your iPhone is the device you interact with most throughout the day. By taking twenty minutes to curate your Home Screen with these widgets, you aren't just decorating; you are streamlining your digital life. Whether you choose the path of hyper-productivity or aesthetic bliss, there is no wrong way to do it. So, unlock your phone, enter "jiggle mode," and start building.