One of the biggest updates to come with iOS 14 is an all-new home screen experience. This marks arguably the biggest UI alter for iOS since information technology was beginning introduced. Follow along for how to utilize iPhone dwelling house screen widgets in iOS fourteen.

Gone are the days of the iPhone abode screen beingness limited to a basic filigree of square apps and app folders. iOS 14 brings a whole new look and feel to the UI with home screen widgets that can be customized in size/shape to offering some great functionality. This idea isn't new, with Microsoft using this customizable filigree-style a decade ago with its Windows Phone and Google with Android as well. Nonetheless, Apple has created a clean and sharp await and feel with dwelling screen widgets that'due south iOS through and through, including a neat "Smart Stack" choice.

iOS fourteen is bachelor now. Head to Settings > Full general > Software Update to see if it'due south ready to install on your device (don't forget to back up your device first).

How to utilise iPhone home screen widgets in iOS xiv

  1. On your iPhone running iOS 14, long-press your domicile screen  in a blank infinite until your apps start wiggling (or long-printing an app > Edit Home Screen)
  2. Tap the + icon in the top left corner
  3. Now yous'll see the available widgets (including 3rd-political party supported ones)
  4. Tap 1, choose a size, tap Add Widget to identify it on your home screen (alternatively long-press ane and drag information technology up slightly to add it)
  5. You can reposition your widget past dragging it around
  6. Tap Done in the elevation correct corner to set up your widget
  7. You can create your ain Smart Stack-style widgets by dragging ones of the same size (up to x) on tiptop of each other (Apple and third-political party alike)

The new widgets are bachelor on iPad with iPadOS 14 also but they're limited to the Today View sidebar, whereas with iPhone you can use them on your home and secondary/tertiary, etc. app screens. Keep in listen Today View widgets and widgets for home screen/app pages are different and require developer support.

Hither's how these steps look:

How to use iPhone home screen widgets iOS 14 walkthrough

Smart Stacks are a groovy widget option that will automatically cycle through dissimilar widgets "to show the near relevant data throughout the 24-hour interval." Yous tin can also manually swipe through the different options in the Smart Stack someday y'all'd like.

How to use iPhone home screen widgets iOS 14 walkthrough 2

For each widget, y'all tin can pick between several unlike sizes (seen higher up and beneath):

How to use iPhone home screen widgets iOS 14 walkthrough 3

Apple tree'southward new Weather app in iOS 14 and also widgets offer real-time precipitation and astringent weather tracking that make for a great experience. And third-party apps like Carrot Weather that to some other level.

Third-party developers releasing widgets will make this large update even more than useful every bit they allow users to fine-melody their iOS screens in all new means. And don't forget you can maximize your widgets past stacking upwards to 10 of the same sized ones on top of each other.

  • These iOS 14 apps offer domicile screen widgets, App Clips, and much more

Carrot Weather iOS 14 update

What do you lot think about home screen widgets on iPhone? Are you excited to apply the big UI update? Allow us know in the comments below!

Read more on iOS 14:

  • iOS xiv is now available; these are the xiv best features
  • Hands-on with 250+ iOS 14 beta features and changes [Video]
  • iOS 14: How to practise Picture in Moving picture video multitasking on iPhone
  • iOS 14: How to utilize iPhone Sound Recognition that listens for doorbells, smoke alarms, more than
  • iOS 14: How to apply the new iPhone App Library

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About the Author

Michael Potuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2022 he has written more than 3,000 manufactures including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.

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