Shortcuts Home Screen Widgets in iOS 13

In iOS 13, the Shortcuts app added home screen widgets, letting you run your most-used shortcuts directly from the Today View without opening the app. You can add a Shortcuts widget that displays up to four shortcuts (or more if you use the larger size), and tapping one runs it immediately. This guide explains how to set up the widget, customize it, and fix common issues.

Background: How Widgets Work in iOS 13

Widgets in iOS 13 live in the Today View, which you access by swiping right from the first page of your home screen or lock screen. Unlike app icons, widgets are not placed on the home screen grid itself; they are part of the Today View, which can be pinned to the home screen by swiping right. The Shortcuts widget was introduced with iOS 13 alongside the Shortcuts app, which itself became a standard app in that version (previously it was a separate download called Workflow).

The widget shows a list of shortcuts you choose, each with its name and an icon. It updates automatically when you add or remove shortcuts, but you can also manually select which shortcuts appear. The widget has two sizes: small (shows 2 shortcuts) and large (shows 4 shortcuts). You can add multiple Shortcuts widgets to the Today View, each with a different set of shortcuts.

How to Add the Shortcuts Widget

Adding the widget takes a few seconds:

1. Go to the Today View by swiping right on your home screen (or lock screen).
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Edit.
3. Tap the + (plus) button in the top-left corner.
4. Search for Shortcuts in the list of available widgets.
5. Tap Add Widget (or choose a size, if prompted).
6. Tap Done in the top-right corner.

You can also rearrange the widget by dragging it in the Edit screen. To remove it, tap the red minus button next to it.

Choosing Which Shortcuts Appear

By default, the widget shows your most recently used shortcuts. To choose specific ones:

1. In the Today View, tap and hold the Shortcuts widget (or tap the widget and select Edit Widget).
2. Tap the i (info) button that appears.
3. You’ll see a list of your shortcuts. Tap the ones you want to appear in the widget (they get a checkmark).
4. Tap Done.

The widget will then display only the selected shortcuts, in the order they appear in your Shortcuts library. If you have more than 4 selected, the widget will show the first 4 (or 2 for small size), and you can scroll through the rest by swiping up/down in the widget.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are a few issues you might run into:

• Widget not showing any shortcuts: Make sure you have at least one shortcut created in the Shortcuts app. If you just installed iOS 13, the app may need to be opened once to initialize.
• Widget shows “No Shortcutsâ€�: This can happen if you haven’t selected any shortcuts in the widget settings. Follow the steps above to select at least one.
• Widget is blank or not updating: Try removing the widget and adding it again. Also check that your iOS is updated to the latest version (13.1 or later fixed several widget bugs).
• Can’t find the Shortcuts widget in the list: The widget is only available if you have the Shortcuts app installed. In iOS 13, it’s pre-installed, but if you deleted it, download it from the App Store.
• Tapping a shortcut does nothing: Make sure the shortcut itself works when run from the app. Some shortcuts require permissions (like accessing photos) that may not prompt correctly from the widget; try running it once from the app.

Widget vs. Home Screen Icons

In iOS 13, you cannot place a widget directly on the home screen grid; that feature came with iOS 14. The Today View widget is separate from app icons. However, you can add a shortcut to your home screen as an icon (via “Add to Home Screen� in the Share sheet), which gives you a one-tap launch from the grid. The widget is more for glanceable access without leaving the Today View. If you want both, you can have both.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Widget

• Use the large size to see more shortcuts at once.
• Add multiple Shortcuts widgets, each with a different theme (e.g., one for work, one for home).
• Rename your shortcuts to be short and descriptive so they fit in the widget.
• If you have a shortcut that requires input (like asking for a number), the widget will open the Shortcuts app to run it, which is normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a Shortcuts widget on my home screen in iOS 13?

No. In iOS 13, widgets only appear in the Today View, which is accessible by swiping right. You cannot place widgets on the home screen grid itself; that capability arrived with iOS 14. You can, however, add a shortcut as an app icon to the home screen.

Why is my Shortcuts widget not showing all my shortcuts?

The widget only shows the shortcuts you have selected in its settings. By default, it may show only recently used ones. To select specific shortcuts, tap and hold the widget, tap Edit Widget, then tap the info button and choose which shortcuts to display. Also, the small widget only shows 2 shortcuts, and the large shows 4, but you can scroll through more if you have more selected.

How do I change the order of shortcuts in the widget?

The order follows the order of your shortcuts in the Shortcuts app library. You can reorder them in the app by tapping Edit in the top-right corner of the “My Shortcuts� screen, then dragging the shortcuts into the desired order. The widget will reflect that order.

Does the Shortcuts widget work on iPadOS 13?

Yes, the same widget is available on iPadOS 13, which is based on iOS 13. The steps to add and customize it are identical.

Can I run a shortcut from the widget without opening the Shortcuts app?

Yes, tapping a shortcut in the widget runs it directly, usually in the background or with a minimal HUD. However, if the shortcut requires user input (like asking for a value), it will open the Shortcuts app to prompt you. After the shortcut completes, you may be returned to the Today View.

Limitations and Alternatives

The main limitation of the iOS 13 widget is that it only shows a list of shortcuts; it cannot display dynamic information like weather or calendar events. For more interactive widgets, you’d need to wait for iOS 14, which introduced redesigned home screen widgets with more capabilities. Alternatively, you can use third-party apps that offer widgets with more functionality, but they still cannot run Shortcuts directly.

If you find the widget too limited, consider creating a dedicated shortcut that you add to your home screen as an icon. That gives you one-tap access from the grid, and you can even set a custom icon using a photo or an app icon image.

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