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How to Add Widgets to Android Phones

Customize your phone with shortcuts to your favorite apps

By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 22, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS

What to Know

On the home screen, hold your finger to the phone screen, then, once it appears, tap Widgets to add a widget.Resize it by holding your finger to the widget and dragging the dots around.Move the widget by holding your finger to it and dragging it around the screen. This article teaches you how to add widgets to your Android phone's home screen and how to move and resize them. It also explains how to download new widgets to your phone.

What Is a Widget

A widget is a neat way to customize your Android phone's display. You can add items such as a search bar, clock, countdown calendar, or weather details, all onto your home screen, so there's no need to open a specific app to see such information.

How Do I Add Custom Widgets to My Phone

Here's how to add a widget to your phone and tweak its size and placement, so it offers the best experience for you. On your phone's home screen, touch and hold an empty space. Tap Widgets. Pick the widget you wish to add then tap it. Tap outside the widget to finish. You can also tap your phone's home button to finish.

How to Resize a Widget on Your Home Screen

Once you've added a widget to your home screen, you may realize it if you'd prefer it in a different location or for it to be a different size. Here's how to resize and relocate a widget on your home screen. Hold your finger down on the widget until two dots appear around it. Drag the dots up or down to resize the widget. Not all widgets can be resized. Release the dot to confirm the size then tap outside the widget to save it. To move the widget, hold your finger down on the widget then drag it around the screen to relocate it.

How to Remove a Widget From Your Home Screen

Changed your mind and no longer want the widget on your screen? Here's how to remove it. On your home screen, hold your finger against the widget you wish to remove. Tap Remove. The widget is now removed from your home screen.

How Do I Download New Widgets for Android

Your smartphone comes with several pre-installed widgets, but it's possible to add more. To do so, you need to download apps from the Google Play Store. It's also worth checking out the best free Android widgets if you prefer not to spend any money on new apps.

How Do I Download Widgets on My Samsung

Because Samsung Android-based phones use a customized Android version, they have a slightly different method of adding widgets. So, if you have a Samsung phone, check out how to install a widget on a Samsung phone. FAQ How do I create shortcuts on Android? To add a shortcut for an Android app, long-press the apps icon and select Add to home. To make a website shortcut, open the site in Chrome, tap the ellipsis, and select Add to Home screen. To create a shortcut for a contact, go to the Widget menu and select Contacts. What widgets are available for Android? Popular Android widgets include 1Weather, Event Flow Calendar, My Data Manager, and SoundHound. There are also widgets for monitoring your phone's battery, managing your appointments, checking multiple email accounts, and more.
How do I create a Twitter widget? To create a Twitter widget for a website, go to Twitter Publish and enter a URL or Twitter handle. Next, choose a layout, select Copy Code, and paste it into your website or blog. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Google Adds iOS 16 Lock Screen Widgets to YouTube, Drive, Maps, and More How to Install a Widget on Samsung Phones How to Use Widgets in Windows 11 How to Make a Spotify Widget How to Reset the Android Home Screen to Default Settings How to Add Widgets on iPhone How to Show Battery Percentage on the iPhone 12 How to Add Widgets on iPad How to Customize an iPhone Lockscreen in iOS 16 How to Customize an iPhone's Home Screen How to Show Battery Percentage on an iPhone XR How to Use Lockdown Mode on Any Android Phone How to Delete Apps on an Android Phone How to Use Apple Stage Manager How to Add a Photo Widget on iPhone How to Change the Color of Text Bubbles on Android Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies