Where to look for widgets on Android: 7 places you didn't know about

Widgets on Android are mini-apps that display information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, notes or quick settings. But many users face a problem: where to look for widgetsif they are not displayed in the standard menu? This is especially true after updating the system or when using custom launchers.

In this article we will look at all the possible ways to access widgets - from obvious to hidden. You'll learn how to find them in different versions of Android (from Android 10 to Android 14), what to do if widgets disappear, and how to add third-party solutions. And also why some applications do not show their widgets in the list and how to fix it.

If you have never used widgets, then you are missing one of the key features of Android. Unlike iOS, where widgets only appeared in iOS 14 and are still limited, on Android they were there from the very beginning. But with each update the interface changes, and it becomes more difficult to find them. Let's figure it out in order.

1. Standard method: widget menu on the main screen

The most obvious way is through a long press on an empty space on the main screen. But even here there are nuances depending on the version of Android and the smartphone manufacturer.

On pure Android (for example, Pixel or Nexus) the algorithm is as follows:

1. Touch and hold your finger on an empty area of the main screen.
2. A panel with options will appear at the bottom of the screen: Wallpaper, Widgets, Screen settings.
3. Tap Widgets —a list of all available mini-apps will open.

On smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands, the interface may differ. For example, on One UI (Samsung) you need to:

1. Long press on the main screen → Widgets.
2. Scroll down to see all the options (they are divided into categories: Weather, Media, Utilities).

If you have custom launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher), then the path may be different. Usually widgets are accessible through the icon + or ⚙️ in the bottom panel.

2 Search through system settings (if. widgets are not displayed)

Sometimes widgets disappear from the menu after an update or reset. In this case, you can “wake them up” through the system settings.

Instructions for Android 12+:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system ones.
3. Find in the list Android System Intelligence or System interface (the name depends on the firmware).
4. Open Storage → Clear cache.
5. Restart the device.

After this, widgets should appear again in the add menu. If not, check if they are disabled in the settings. launcher.

Clear the cache of system applications|Reboot your smartphone|Update the launcher to the latest version|Check the display settings in the launcher-->

3. Hidden widgets: how to find what is not visible in the menu

Some widgets are not displayed in the standard list, but they can be added through ADB commands or third-party applications. For example, widgets Google Assistant or Google Discover are often hidden.

Method 1: through Activity Launcher

1. Install the application Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and find it in the list Settings or Lawnchair (if you use this launcher).
3. Scroll down to the section Widgets —there may be hidden options here.
4. Click on the desired widget and it will open in a separate window. Now you can add it to the main one. screen.

Method 2: via ADB (for advanced users)

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep widget
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.widget.WidgetPicker

These commands will show all installed widget packages and open a hidden selection menu.

Why are some widgets hidden?

Manufacturers or Google may hide widgets if they are not optimized for the current version of Android, conflict with other functions, or are intended only for certain regions. For example, the widget Google At a Glance was previously available to everyone, but now it is shown only on smartphones with pure Android.

4. Widgets in custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

If you use unofficial firmware, then standard widgets may not work correctly or be missing. In this case:

Solutions:

• 🔄 Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), which supports widgets better than the standard one.
• 📥 Add widgets through the app KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) - it allows you to create your own or download ready-made templates.
• 🔧 Check firmware compatibility with widgets. Some custom builds (for example, Havoc-OS) disable them to save resources.

On firmwares like LineageOS widgets usually work fine, but may be missing proprietary solutions from the manufacturer (for example, widgets) data Samsung Health or Xiaomi Tools).

5. Widgets from third-party applications: where to look for them?

Many applications (for example, Spotify, Twitter, Notion) offer their own widgets, but they are not always visible in the main menu. Here's how to find them:

Where to look:

• 🎵 Music widgets: in Spotify, YouTube Music or Poweramp they are usually hidden in the application settings under the section Widget or Lock screen settings.
• 📅 Calendars and notes: in Google Calendar or Microsoft To Do widgets are activated via Settings → Widgets inside the application itself.
• 📊 Fitness trackers: Google Fit, Samsung Health or Mi Fit require synchronization with your account before the widgets are shown.

If the application widget is not displayed, check:

1. Is the application updated to the latest version.
2. Is access to Storage and Notifications allowed (for some widgets this is critical).
3. Are widgets disabled in the battery settings (for example, Battery optimization may block their operation).

6. Problems with widgets and their solutions

Widgets may disappear, not update or show errors. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Widgets are not displayed in the menu	Failure launcher or system	Clear the launcher cache, reboot the device
The widget is not updated (for example, weather)	Background limitation or lack of Internet	Check Settings → Applications → [Application] → Battery → Unlimited
The widget disappears after reboot	Conflict with the memory optimizer	Disable optimization for the launcher in the battery settings
The widget shows the error "No data"	No rights for access to storage/Internet	Check permissions in Settings → Applications

If the widget stopped working after updating Android, try roll back to the previous version of the launcher or wait for a patch from the developer.

7. Alternative methods: KWGT, UCCW and other designers

If there are few standard widgets or they are not suitable for design, you can create your own using specialized applications:

Popular tools:

• 🎨 KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) — allows you to create widgets from scratch or download ready-made themes from Play Market.
• ⚙️ UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget) — for creating custom clocks and indicators.
• 📱 Zoom Widget — widgets with animation and interactive elements.

How to use KWGT:

1. Install KWGT i KLWP (for animated wallpaper).
2. Download your favorite template from Play Market (search by request KWGT [theme]).
3. Add a widget KWGT to the main screen (select size depending on the template).
4. Click on the widget → Import → select the downloaded file.

Important: widgets from KWGT consume more battery than standard ones, as they constantly update data in the background. If you notice high consumption, limit the refresh frequency in the widget settings.

8. Widgets on the lock screen: how to add and configure

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) widgets can be placed not only on the main screen, but also on lock screen. This is convenient for quick access to the weather, music or notes.

How to add a widget to the screen locks:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Find the section Widgets or Shortcuts (the name depends on the firmware).
3. Select a widget from the list (usually available Weather, Music, Calendar).
4. Adjust its position and size.

Limitations:

• 🔒 On Android 10+ widgets on the lock screen may require unlocking to interact (due to security policies).
• 📵 Some widgets (for example Gmail or Messages) do not support display on the lock screen.

⚠️ Attention: Widgets on the lock screen can display personal information (messages, calendar events). If you use your smartphone in public places, disable the display of sensitive data in the widget settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about widgets on Android

Why widgets are not updated automatically?

This may be due to:

• Limitation of background activity in the battery settings.
• Lack of Internet (for weather widgets, exchange rates, etc.).
• Crash in the application (try reinstalling it).

Solution: check the battery optimization settings and resolution for the application.

Is it possible to transfer widgets to another smartphone?

Standard widgets cannot be transferred, since they are tied to the launcher and firmware. However, if you use KWGT or Nova Launcher, you can:

1. Make a backup of the launcher settings (in Nova this Settings → Backup).
2. Copy files widgets (for example, .kwgt) to a new smartphone.
3. Restore settings through the same launcher.

How to delete a widget if it is not deleted in the standard way?

If the widget is frozen and cannot be deleted for a long time by pressing:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the application to which the widget belongs and clear its cache.
3. Restart your smartphone - the widget should disappear.
4. If that doesn't help, reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → [Launcher] → Storage → Clear data).

Why are some widgets only available on certain firmware?

Smartphone manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) often create exclusive widgets for their shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS). These widgets depend on system libraries and will not work on pure Android or custom firmware.

Solution: look for analogues in Google Play or use universal constructors. like KWGT.

Is it possible to change the size of the widget?

Yes, but not for all types:

• Standard widgets (weather, clock) usually have a fixed size or several predefined options.
• Widgets from KWGT or UCCW can be stretched manually when added to the screen.
• On some launchers (for example, Nova Launcheryou can change the grid size so that the widget takes up more or less space.

⚠️ Attention: The interface for adding widgets may vary depending on from the Android version and the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the required section in the settings, check the documentation for your smartphone model or update the firmware to the latest version.