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Cycle Through Weather Widget Graphics: How-To

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

To cycle through all the weather graphics in the dashboard weather widget, click directly on the widget itself. Each click advances to the next available graphic, such as temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity. This works on both macOS and iOS, though the exact set of graphics and the order they appear in depend on your device and the current weather conditions.

What the Weather Widget Shows

The built-in weather widget on Apple devices is not a single static image. It is a compact, interactive module that can display several different data views. The available graphics are typically:

  • Temperature: Current temperature and daily high/low.
  • Precipitation: Chance of rain or snow, often with a small bar showing the next hour.
  • Wind: Wind speed and direction, sometimes with a compass-style arrow.
  • Humidity: Relative humidity percentage.
  • UV Index: Current UV level and a simple risk label.
  • Visibility: Distance you can see clearly, in miles or kilometers.
  • Air Quality: AQI value and category (e.g., Good, Moderate).

Not all of these appear every time. The widget cycles only through the data points that are relevant for your location at that moment. For example, if there is no chance of precipitation, the precipitation graphic may be skipped.

How the Cycling Interaction Works

The interaction is a simple tap or click, but the behavior differs slightly by platform:

  • macOS (Ventura and later): Click the widget on the desktop or in Notification Center. Each click advances to the next graphic. After the last graphic, it loops back to the first.
  • iOS (16 and later): Tap the widget on the Home Screen or in Today View. The same cycling behavior applies.
  • iPadOS: Works the same as iOS.

There is no visible indicator of which graphic you are on or how many remain. You simply click or tap repeatedly until you see the data you want. If you click too quickly, the widget may interpret it as a double-click and open the Weather app instead. A deliberate, single click with a short pause between clicks is the reliable method.

Why the Widget Cycles (and Why It Sometimes Doesn’t)

The cycling feature was introduced to give users quick access to multiple weather metrics without taking up extra Home Screen or desktop space. Instead of adding several separate widgets, Apple made one widget that can show different data on demand.

If the widget does not cycle when you click it, the most common reasons are:

  • You are using a third-party weather widget. Apps like CARROT Weather, Weather Line, or AccuWeather have their own widgets with different tap behaviors. Some do not cycle at all.
  • The widget is locked or in edit mode. On iOS, if you are in jiggle mode (icons shaking), tapping the widget opens the edit menu instead of cycling.
  • You are on an older OS version. The cycling feature requires macOS 13 Ventura or iOS 16 or later. Earlier versions did not support this interaction.
  • The widget is too small. The small square widget on iOS may only show temperature and condition. The cycling works best on the medium and large sizes, which have room for multiple data views.

How to Choose the Right Widget Size

The widget size directly affects how many graphics you can cycle through and how much information is visible at once.

  • Small (iOS) / Compact (macOS): Shows current temperature and condition. Cycling may be limited to temperature, precipitation, and wind, with less detail.
  • Medium (iOS) / Regular (macOS): Shows current conditions plus a short forecast. Cycling includes more graphics like humidity, UV, and visibility.
  • Large (iOS) / Wide (macOS): Shows a full multi-day forecast. Cycling works, but the forecast list is always visible, so the additional graphics appear in a secondary area.

On macOS, you can also choose between a rectangular widget and a round one. The round widget is more compact and may cycle through fewer graphics. To change the size, right-click the widget, select “Edit Widget,” and choose a size.

Common Problems and Fixes

Users often report that the widget stops cycling or shows the same graphic every time. Here are the usual fixes:

  1. Restart the widget: Remove the widget from the screen and add it again. On iOS, press and hold the widget, tap “Remove Widget,” then add it from the widget gallery. On macOS, right-click and choose “Remove Widget,” then re-add it.
  2. Check location services: The widget needs your location to show relevant data. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and ensure Weather is set to “While Using” or “Always.” If it is off, the widget may show only a default location and not cycle properly.
  3. Update the OS: Apple has fixed several widget bugs in point releases. Make sure you are on the latest version of macOS or iOS.
  4. Reset the Weather app: If the widget still misbehaves, force-quit the Weather app. On iOS, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Weather app away. On macOS, press Cmd+Q while the Weather app is open.

Alternatives to the Built-in Widget

If the built-in widget’s cycling does not meet your needs, several alternatives exist:

  • Add multiple widgets: Instead of cycling, add two or three separate weather widgets, each set to a different location or size. This shows more data at once without clicking.
  • Use the Weather app: The full app shows all graphics on one screen, including hourly forecasts, wind maps, and air quality. It is always one click away from the widget.
  • Third-party weather apps: Many offer more customizable widgets with tap actions that open specific data pages. However, they may require a subscription for detailed graphics.
  • Use a different widget type: On macOS, the Weather widget is part of the system. You can also add a Clock widget or a Calendar widget, but those are unrelated to weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the weather widget cycle automatically?
No, it does not. It only cycles when you click or tap it. There is no auto-rotation setting.

How many graphics does the widget have?
The number varies. It depends on the widget size and current conditions. Typically, there are between 3 and 7 graphics, including temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, UV, visibility, and air quality.

Why does my widget only show temperature?
You may be using the small widget size, which has limited space. Try switching to a medium or large widget. Also, check that your location is set correctly, because if the widget cannot determine your location, it may default to a simple view.

Can I change the order of the graphics?
No, Apple does not provide a way to reorder the graphics. The order is fixed by the system.

Does clicking the widget open the Weather app?
A single click cycles the graphic. A double-click or a click after the last graphic may open the Weather app. On iOS, a long press opens the edit menu.

Is there a way to see all graphics at once?
Yes, open the Weather app itself. It shows all available data in a scrolling view, including hourly and daily forecasts, wind, humidity, and more.

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Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.