iPhone Lock Screen Widgets: How to Add & Use Them
iPhone lock screen widgets let you see glanceable information like the weather, calendar events, and battery levels without unlocking your phone. You add them by long-pressing the lock screen, tapping Customize, and selecting the widget area. This article explains how to add, remove, and manage these widgets, along with common problems and tips.
What Are Lock Screen Widgets?
Introduced with iOS 16, lock screen widgets are small, interactive (in some cases) blocks of information that sit on the lock screen. They come in two sizes: small (circular or square) and rectangular. Unlike home screen widgets, lock screen widgets are more compact and designed to be read at a glance. They can show the date, time, weather, activity rings, battery levels of connected devices, and upcoming calendar events. Some widgets, like the flashlight or camera, are shortcuts rather than information displays.
How to Add Lock Screen Widgets
Adding widgets to your lock screen takes a few seconds. Here are the steps:
- Wake your iPhone and long-press anywhere on the lock screen (or press and hold the screen until the customize button appears).
- Tap Customize at the bottom, then select Lock Screen.
- Tap the widget area (either the small area above the clock or the rectangular area below it).
- Tap the + button to add a widget, or tap an existing widget to remove or replace it.
- Choose from the list of available widgets (e.g., Weather, Calendar, Battery, Activity).
- Tap the widget to select it, then tap Done in the top-right corner to save your changes.
You can also add widgets from the lock screen by swiping right to the Today View, but that is a separate area, not the lock screen itself.
How to Remove or Rearrange Widgets
To remove a widget, long-press the lock screen, tap Customize, then tap the widget you want to delete. A minus sign (-) will appear; tap it to remove. To rearrange, drag the widget to a new position within its slot. You can have up to four small widgets in the area above the clock (two columns of two) or two rectangular widgets side by side. Below the clock, you can have one rectangular widget or two small ones.
Which Widgets Are Useful?
The best widgets depend on what you check most often. Some popular choices include:
- Weather: Current temperature and conditions.
- Calendar: Your next event or appointment.
- Battery: Battery levels of your iPhone and connected devices like AirPods.
- Activity: Your daily move, exercise, and stand rings.
- Clock: World clock for different time zones.
- Reminders: Upcoming reminders or tasks.
- News: Headlines from your favorite sources.
You can also use third-party widgets from apps like Spotify, Google Maps, or fitness trackers, provided they support iOS 16 or later.
Common Problems and Fixes
If widgets aren’t showing up or updating, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Widgets not appearing: Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Widgets not updating: Some widgets update only when you tap them or when the app refreshes in the background. Check that Background App Refresh is enabled for the app in Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Widgets missing after restart: Occasionally, widgets may disappear after a restart. Re-add them by following the steps above.
- Can’t long-press to customize: If long-pressing doesn’t work, try pressing and holding the screen for a second longer, or make sure you’re on the lock screen (not the home screen).
Widgets vs. Complications
Lock screen widgets are similar to watch complications on the Apple Watch, but they are not the same. Complications can be placed in the corners of the watch face, while iPhone widgets are confined to two areas. Also, iPhone widgets are not interactive—tapping one opens the app, but you can’t interact with the widget content directly. For example, tapping a weather widget opens the Weather app, not a detailed forecast on the lock screen.
Battery Life and Privacy
Lock screen widgets have a negligible impact on battery life because they update infrequently and use minimal data. However, if you have many widgets that refresh often (like weather or stocks), you might notice a slight drain. For privacy, widgets can display sensitive information like calendar events or messages. To prevent this, you can hide widget content when the phone is locked by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enabling “Require Attention” or disabling “Today View and Search” on the lock screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add widgets to the lock screen on older iPhones?
Yes, as long as your iPhone supports iOS 16 or later. That includes iPhone 8 and newer models. Older iPhones that can’t update to iOS 16 won’t have lock screen widgets.
Why don’t my widgets show live data?
Widgets refresh at intervals, not in real time. Some widgets, like weather, update every few minutes. If you need immediate data, tap the widget to open the app. Also, ensure the app has permission to use location and background refresh.
Can I use third-party widgets?
Yes, many third-party apps support lock screen widgets. Check the app’s settings or the widget gallery to see if it offers a lock screen widget. Not all apps have this feature.
How do I make my widgets appear on the lock screen only when I want?
You can create multiple lock screens and switch between them. For example, have one with widgets for work and another for personal. To switch, long-press the lock screen and swipe left or right to choose a different screen.
Do widgets work with Focus modes?
Yes, you can link a lock screen (and its widgets) to a Focus mode. When that Focus is active, the corresponding lock screen appears. For instance, a Work Focus could show calendar and mail widgets, while a Personal Focus shows weather and photos.
Why do my widgets look different from screenshots online?
Widget appearance depends on the app version and iOS version. Apple occasionally updates widget styles, and third-party apps may change their designs. If you see a widget in a screenshot that you can’t find, check if the app is updated to the latest version.
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