Finding widgets on an iPhone is straightforward once you understand the two distinct environments where they live: the Today View and the home screen. While widgets have become a core part of the iOS experience, offering at-a-glance information without opening an app, many users remain unsure of where to locate them or how to manage them. This guide walks you through the exact steps for discovering, adding, and organizing widgets on your device.
Understanding the Two Types of Widgets
Before you begin searching, it is important to distinguish between the Today View widgets and the new home screen widgets introduced in iOS 14. The Today View, accessed by swiping right from your first home screen, is a long-standing feature that consolidates information in a scrollable panel. In contrast, home screen widgets are resizable elements that sit directly on your app pages, providing a more integrated and visual experience. Knowing which type you need will determine where you look and how you add them.
How to Find Widgets in the Today View
The Today View is the primary library where you manage all available widgets on your device. To access it, swipe right from the very first home screen of your iPhone. Here, you will see a list of active widgets at the top, followed by a section labeled "Available Widgets." This section is where you find widgets on iPhone for apps that you have installed but not yet added. If you do not see a particular app here, that app likely does not support widgets, or you may need to update it to the latest version.
Scrolling Through the Available List
The "Available Widgets" section is organized alphabetically, making it easy to find widgets on iPhone for specific applications. You can scroll through this list to see every compatible app, from financial tools like Stocks and Wallet to utilities like Voice Memos and Fitness+. Tapping the "+" icon next to an app moves it up to the top section, where it becomes active on your Today View. You can rearrange the order of these active widgets by dragging the handle (three horizontal lines) next to them.
How to Find and Add Widgets to the Home Screen
To place widgets directly on your home screen, you must enter jiggle mode. Press and hold any app icon until all the icons begin to shake. Then, tap the "+" button located in the top-left corner of the screen. This action opens the widget gallery, which is distinct from the Today View list. Here, you can browse widget sizes—small, medium, and large—depending on the app. Selecting a widget preview allows you to configure the data it displays before placing it on a specific page.
Managing and Organizing Your Widgets
Over time, your collection of widgets can become cluttered, which is why regular management is essential. In the Today View, you can swipe left on any widget entry to reveal the "Remove" option, which deletes it from that view without uninstalling the parent app. On the home screen, you can long-press a widget to resize it if the app supports multiple dimensions. This flexibility allows you to optimize space and ensure that the most relevant information is always visible without overwhelming your interface.
Troubleshooting Common Widget Issues
If you are unable to find widgets on iPhone for a specific app, there are a few common culprits. First, ensure that the app is updated to its latest version, as widget support is sometimes added in updates. You should also check that the app has permission to run background refresh, which is necessary for updating information. To verify this, navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle the app to "Refresh." Finally, restart your device if the widget still does not appear, as this can reset the indexing service that iOS uses to catalog available widgets.
