iPhone Widgets on Search Screen in iOS 10: How to Use

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

In iOS 10, Apple introduced a dedicated search screen (swipe right from the Home screen or Lock screen) that also hosts widgets—small, glanceable app extensions that show live information. You can add, remove, reorder, and customize these widgets directly on that search screen, even if the app itself is not on your Home screen. This article explains exactly how to manage widgets on the iOS 10 search screen, what they can do, and how to fix common issues.

What Are Widgets on the iOS 10 Search Screen?

Widgets are mini-apps that display a snippet of information without opening the full app. In iOS 10, Apple moved widgets from the Notification Center (where they lived in iOS 8 and 9) to the new search screen, which Apple calls “Today View” in some contexts. This screen appears when you swipe right from the first page of your Home screen or from the Lock screen. It shows a vertical list of widgets, each in its own card, and you can scroll through them. The search bar at the top also lets you search for apps, contacts, web results, and more.

How to Add Widgets to the Search Screen

Adding widgets is done through the app itself, not through a separate widget manager. Here’s the process:

Make sure the app is installed on your iPhone (from the App Store).
Open the app at least once so it registers with iOS.
Go to the search screen (swipe right on the Home screen).
Scroll to the very bottom and tap the “Edit” button.
You’ll see a list of “Add More Widgets” with apps that offer widgets. Tap the green plus icon next to an app to add it.
Tap “Done” in the top-right corner.

If you don’t see an app in the “Add More Widgets” list, that app doesn’t provide a widget, or it hasn’t been opened yet. Some apps require you to open them once to activate the widget.

How to Remove or Reorder Widgets

Removing a widget is just as simple:

Go to the search screen and scroll to the bottom.
Tap “Edit.”
In the “Do Not Include” list, tap the red minus icon next to a widget you want to remove.
Tap “Remove” to confirm.
Tap “Done.”

To reorder widgets, while in Edit mode, press and hold the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) on the right side of a widget and drag it up or down. The order you set here is the order they appear on the search screen.

What Widgets Can Show and What They Can’t

Widgets are limited by what the app developer chooses to expose. Common examples include:

Weather: current temperature, forecast for the next few hours.
Calendar: upcoming events for the day.
Stocks: current prices and daily change.
News: top headlines.
Maps: travel time to a saved location.
Reminders: tasks due today.

Widgets cannot run interactive elements like buttons or text fields—they are read-only. Tapping a widget usually opens the full app. Also, widgets do not update in real-time; iOS refreshes them periodically based on usage patterns and battery optimization.

Common Problems and Fixes

Widget not showing up: First, check that the app is installed and you’ve opened it once. Then go to Edit mode and see if it appears in “Add More Widgets.” If it does, add it. If not, the app may not support widgets on iOS 10, or the developer removed widget support.

Widget shows “No Content” or is blank: This usually means the app hasn’t fetched data yet. Open the app, let it load, then return to the search screen. Also, check that your iPhone has an internet connection, and that the app has permission to use location or other data if needed.

Widgets disappeared after an update: After a major iOS update, some widgets may reset. Go to Edit mode and re-add them. Also, check if the app needs to be updated to support the new iOS version.

Search screen not appearing: If swiping right doesn’t show the search screen, you may have disabled it in Settings. Go to Settings > General > Spotlight Search and ensure “Search Results” is toggled on. Also, on the Lock screen, widgets may be hidden if you have a passcode set and “Today View” is turned off in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode).

How Widgets Affect Battery and Performance

Widgets can consume battery because they fetch data in the background. However, iOS 10 is designed to be efficient—widgets update only when needed, and the system learns when you typically use them. If you find your battery draining quickly, consider removing widgets you don’t use. Also, keep in mind that widgets do not run constantly; they are suspended when not visible. The impact is usually minimal for most users.

Widgets vs. Notification Center (iOS 9 vs. iOS 10)

In iOS 9, widgets lived in the Notification Center, accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen. In iOS 10, Apple moved them to the search screen (Today View) and also allowed widgets on the Lock screen. This was a significant change because it made widgets more accessible—no need to unlock your phone or swipe down. However, it also meant that widgets were no longer visible when you swiped down from the top; that gesture now shows only notifications. If you upgraded from iOS 9, you may have been confused by this change. The search screen is the new home for widgets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add widgets to the Home screen in iOS 10? No, widgets are only available on the search screen (Today View) and the Lock screen. You cannot place them on the Home screen itself—that feature came later with iOS 14.

Why don’t my widgets update in real time? iOS 10 uses a smart refresh system. Widgets update when you’re likely to look at them, based on your usage patterns. If you want to force a refresh, open the full app, then return to the search screen.

Can I use widgets without an internet connection? Widgets that rely on live data (weather, stocks, news) need an internet connection. However, some widgets like Calendar or Reminders can show locally stored data offline.

Do widgets work on all iPhone models with iOS 10? Yes, any iPhone that supports iOS 10 (iPhone 5 and later) can use widgets. However, performance may vary on older models, and some widgets may be slower.

How do I stop a widget from showing on the Lock screen? Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode) and toggle off “Today View.” This will hide widgets from the Lock screen, but they will still appear on the Home screen search page.

Can I create my own widgets? Not without coding. Widgets are built by app developers using the iOS extension API. As a user, you can only add or remove widgets from apps you’ve installed.

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