Not sure how to add widgets to Android smartphones? We've got you covered with this guide.
Widgets are one of Android's signature features that you really don't get on iOS or other mobile operating systems. They allow you to quickly check information, like the time or weather, right from your home screen without opening an app. They can also simulate an app, too, like a music widget that will start your music or a playlist with a single tap. They're incredibly useful, but it's not always obvious how to get them set up on a phone.
Join us after the break to learn how to use widgets.
Add widgets to Android smartphones
Step 1: Long-press on any empty space on your home screen. You may have to find some unused space on one of your screens, or press on an empty area like between your dock and your app shortcuts.
Step 2: This menu will give you a couple of options, but you'll want to choose Widgets. The other options open up some other customization tweaks, but we're just trying to get something else on your home screen for right now.
Step 3: This will open up a full list of every available widget installed on your phone. Keep in mind not every app will have a widget, so don't panic if you don't see your favorite app here; the developer just hasn't added widget support, or the app might not really need it.
Scroll around and find the widget you want to place on your home screen. We're going to use the clock widget for this example.
Step 4: Press and hold the widget you want on your home screen. Tapping it won't do anything, so you want to treat this almost like your app drawer. Pressing and holding will allow you to drag the widget around to try and find a spot for it on your home screen.
Keep in mind that widgets have different sizes listed, and you'll need enough space on your screen for it to fit. Don't try and put a massive 4 x 3 widget on a screen that's full of app shortcuts.
Step 5: Once you drop your widget, you might get some customization options. Things like clocks might allow you to change what other info or time zone displays, and some apps have color and theme options to better match the rest of your home screen. Otherwise, once you release your finger the widget is set up and ready to go. It's that simple to add widgets to Android phones.
Getting more widgets
Finding more widgets is also quite easy. It just takes a quick trip to the Play Store on your phone. Open the Play Store app, and you can simply search for “widgets.” You should find individual widgets available and even packs of widgets. Also, when you download certain apps, usually they'll come with their own widget as well. With either option, these are automatically added to the widgets menu and can be added by following the steps above.
There's a ton of available widgets on the Play Store, too, and they're pretty varied. You can pick a new weather widget if you're not happy with the one that's preloaded on your phone, or go for something that quickly shows you social media updates or your email inbox. You can get really crafty with them and add shortcut widgets that perform actions immediately, too. Those are a little more complex to set up, but that's what makes Android fun, right?
Drop a comment and let us know what widgets you're rocking on your homescreen right now.
I deleted the view panes on which we add widgets on one plus 2
Now i am not able to add view panes
LG Stylus 2 Plus widget button :
The “Long-press on any available space on home screen” will not show the widget button. You may have different “Home” settings. Please go to Tools -> Settings -> Display -> Home Screen -> General -> Select Home
from there you choose “Home”. After that, go back to home screen and long-press on any available space, then you can see the widget button.
I have lost at the very bottom my widget for my phone Samsung-SGH-1747. It was green square with a white frame and a phone receiver in the middle. I have looked everywhere for it. I can’t make call without it…I looked in apps, play store and it’s not there? HELP?
Hi I lost my play store widget on home screen of a samsung galaxy s6 anybody how do I get it back.
For some Reason the contacts on my home screen, no longer show first names. Instead they only show the initial in a circle. Very annoyed. Can’t seem to edit. I deleted and readded one and still only a big initial in a circle. It is an Android phone. Any suggestions?
Can you please stop these stupid articles? They are nothing but padding to get the writers post count up. This seems to be a theme. There is/will also be one about taking screenshots, how to change ringtones etc. Pure nonsense. Just create a beginners guide, with all these in one place, and link/repost it when appropriate, not every time a new phone gets released.
I have an android phone made by lg and I can’t find the widgets on my phone to add to my home screen?
Trying to load an opened calendar on my home screen, all my widgits are hidden? How can I unhide my widgits and/ or place an opened calendar on my home screen? I’ve tried the drag and drop thing, got a closed calendar nothing else.
Thanks
I have tablet HP slate 7 and I paid but I still can’t make it load. I have code
Thanks
i installed widgets from android market on my phone, but in the menu of widgets appear only the first widgets, those that come with the phone… i have a vodafone phone.please help
thanks
Hoka
When I press on an empty space the menu is for changing the backround settings.. I posess an android tablet by onda.. soo I’m kinda confused here!
thanks
Ok
davutdanis@mail.com
Mersi
It is not working properly on Galaxy s2. It is working when playing some video, but not working for audio player.
Galaxy tab 7 plus
ممتاز جدا جدا في تشغيل الصوتيات و الفيديو مع سماعات المونو
وتمت تجربته مع اليوتيوب و البالتوك …. بنجاح
– Very good to hear the audio and video if Mono headsets. And has been tested successfully.
Thnks
I need help. Is it possible to restore a phone to the previous status before receiving the upgrade. I just recently upgraded with new widgets, but these people failed to warn us that certain standard apps like adobe flash player would not upgrade for android phones past 4.0 and higher. My phone fits that category. I no longer have adobe, can’t watch NFL highights anymore, can’t watch news clips anymore, also physical mailing address info was removed from my phone contact and i can download files for pdf storage but my phone will not open the file. Please, can anybody help? I feel that there were certain things on our phones that were changed and “fixed” that were fine and never broken in the first place.
Its not working on droid 2.3
Can I have my refund plz it is not working on my droide razor
Why not work whit android 4.0
Paid for it, but not working at all and can not do what’s sugested. Not happy at all.
Dakujem
Thx
Suddenly all my widgets disappeared from my home screen and I can’t add them back again either by tapping or by using a menu I musta changed a setting but I don’t know how or how to fix it.
Thanks
Thanks
thank you
ممتأذ حدا جدا مع سمعات البلوتوث طبعا
Thanks
thanks
Hi everyone, we just posted a somewhat similar guide on our website which includes screenshots if any of you are wondering what it may look like when adding the widget.
https://apps.akosta.dk/how-to-add-an-android-widget-to-your-homescreen/
Kind Regards Akosta Apps
thank u.
HEy! its not woking for me !my Phone is ZEN M45 ! plzz say me how to do i can’t able to do it! plzz any one help me!
Thank you
Hhgg
thank you for this tip…… BUT….i have a little problem i wish some of you guys gets the solution…..i have galaxy s2 with tw launcher i love that launcher but i can’t change the widgets on the lower line (it’s icons still the same contacts and msgs and call with home screen)and i want to change it.
can u please help me for doing that
Obrigado
Tanks
Kkkkkkkkk
I can’t to add widgets in micromax a35 bolt !!! plz any one help to add the widgets..!!
Thanks for the tips. been looking for a while for it.