How to Use Widgets on iPhone & iPad

                                          

Having to tap on your iPhone’s screen several times just to get to the application that you want to access can take time. Although some don’t mind having to swipe, scroll, and tap on their device, there are those who prefer to use widgets because they make their user experience friendlier and more convenient too. 

Widgets on iPhone and iPad give these devices added functionality. They are basically these small programs that work as shortcuts for applications found in your device, whether new or refurbished phone, and can be accessed through your phone’s main screen.

Additional info about refurbished iPhones to know it better.

Understanding Widgets

Installing any application on your Apple products may come with a widget which you can include in the existing widget area on your iPhone or iPad. This program works as a tiny version of the main application which provides you with instant access to the main app that you have downloaded. 

Where to Find These Widgets

If you are wondering where these widgets are stored in your device, Apple puts them in a single display which is easily accessible. All that you have to do is to swipe to the right while you are in the main screen to access the page for the widgets. This can be done even when you are in your phone’s locked screen. 

Where else can you find these widgets? Try the notifications area which you can access by swiping the main screen downwards. Once you are in the notifications area, simply swipe towards the right to open the page for all the widgets available. 

Installing Widgets and How to Activate Them 

Apple has made sure that the widgets will be easy to install in their devices. One thing you need to know about these programs is that they are not different from the applications you have downloaded, but rather they are simply extensions of them. 

If the application you have downloaded from Apple’s Store or iTunes comes with a widget, you’ll get both in one download. However, you will need to activate the widget itself for it to appear in the Today View or the display where all the widgets are placed. Here’s how to do it.

• If you are wondering how to use iPhone widgets, especially the ones you have downloaded, you will need to access Today View. From the main screen of your device, swipe to the right to open the widget window. This viewing page will have a field for searching located on the top of the screen, with the current date as well as time positioned under it. 
• Default widgets will appear on this tray. Look for the Edit button then press on it. 
• A list of widgets will come up on your screen where all available mini programs on your device will appear. There will be two areas that will appear. The first one is the active widgets then the next is more widgets. Widgets that fall under the “More Widgets” category will appear with a green button that has a plus sign beside it. Active widgets, on the other hand, will only have a red button. 
• If you want to add any widgets to the widget window, just press the green button. This will push the widget to the top. 
• You can rearrange all available widgets on the screen by simply dragging them up or down. 
• If you want to remove a particular widget, press on the red button. This will cause the name of the widget to go to the right side where a remove sign will appear. Tap on it and you will remove that widget from the screen. 
• Once you are done, just select the button that says DONE.

How to Use iPad Widgets

Widgets are not limited to iPhone devices only because iPads have them too. As a matter of fact, widgets have been around since the version 8 of iOS was released. Today, with iPads equipped with version 13, widgets became more in demand. What you’ll notice with the iPad’s Home Screen, the widgets are located on the left portion of the display. Aside from all the information displayed on it, you can even add your preferred widgets here as well. If you are using the latest iPad, here’s how you can use the widgets to your advantage.

Adding Preferred Widgets

Like in iPhone, the Today View is where you will find all active widgets displayed. These tiny programs make it easier for you to access the main applications directly from the main screen. If you want to add more, here’s what you should do. 

• From the Home Screen, you should swipe towards the right to bring out Today View. Another way to access the widget display is by pulling down the top of your display to reveal the Notifications display. Once done, swipe again to the right to reveal the widgets. 
• Press the edit button below the display.
• You can add all your preferred widgets on the display tray by pressing on the green button with a plus sign beside the widget. 
• If you want to remove any widgets, press the red button instead. 
• One you are satisfied with the list of widgets available on the Today View, simply select DONE. 

Pin Your Favorites

It is also possible for you to keep the widgets of your favorite applications pinned to the display screen using the following steps. 

• Go to the first page of your iPad’s main screen. 
• Enable the widgets window by swiping the screen to the right. 
• Go down the window until you see the button for editing. Press it. 
• You can now touch then drag the widget that you like and put in the Pinned Favorites area. Press done afterwards. 

These are just a few things that you should keep in mind when playing with the widgets section on either your iPhone or iPad device. Widgets certainly come in handy when you want to have easy access on specific applications. By swiping to the right of the main screen, you can easily activate the application that you want to use and that’s it.