Updating the operating system often makes adjustments to the usual user experience, and the transition to Android 10 was no exception. Many smartphone owners are faced with confusion when a familiar menu item disappears or moves deeper into the settings. This issue is especially acute when trying to personalize the desktop, since widgets are a key element of usability of a mobile OS. In this version, Google has made a significant reorganization of the interface, combining some functions and changing the logic for accessing them.
Understanding where are the widgets on Android 10is critical for effective device management. This allows you to quickly access the weather, calendar, news, or smart home controls without having to launch full apps. In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the ways to call the widget menu, the features of working with them on different manufacturers' shells, and methods for solving common problems with their display.
The main method of access is through the desktop
The fastest and most intuitive method of calling the menu widgets on a clean Android 10 - this is a long press on a free area of the screen. You don't need to look for hidden buttons or go into deep system settings. It is enough to lock the phone, unlock it and simply hold your finger anywhere on the desktop where there are no application icons.
After a second, the screen will change, the icon display scale will decrease, and a horizontal menu with additional options will appear at the bottom. This is where the section we need is hidden. By clicking on the item Widgets, you will open a complete list of all available elements installed on the system. This mechanism is standard for most devices running on stock firmware from Google.
However, it is worth considering that some smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, may slightly modify this process. In their proprietary shells, for example One UI or MIUI, the algorithm of actions remains similar, but the visual design of the menu may differ. Sometimes the item for calling widgets is placed in a separate category or requires a swipe in a certain direction after a long press.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with highly customized skins, a long press on an empty space may immediately open the wallpaper settings, and not the widget menu. In this case, try doing the same by holding your finger directly on the icon of any application, and not on a blank background.
If the long press does not work, check whether the "Simple Mode" or "For Seniors" mode is turned on in the screen settings. In this mode, the ability to edit the desktop is often blocked.
Alternative method through the app menu
If for some reason interaction with the desktop is difficult or the interface does not respond correctly, there is a backup access option. The Android 10 menu of all installed applications also contains a hidden tab with widgets. This method is especially useful if your desktop is crowded and there is no free space for a long press.
To do this, you need to open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or press a special button) and find a list of all apps there. At the top of this list or in the sidebar (depending on the launcher) there is often a switch or tab with the name Widgets. By switching to it, you will see the same set of elements as in the main menu.
This method allows you not only to add, but also to remove widgets if they take up too much space. You can drag an unwanted item from the list of widgets to the top of the screen, where a deletion area with a caption Delete or a trash can icon will usually appear. This is convenient for quickly clearing the interface of outdated information.
- 📱 Open the all applications menu by swiping up.
- 🔍 Find the tab or mode switching button at the top of the screen.
- 🖱️ Select an item "Widgets" to view the full list of available modules.
- 🗑️ To delete, drag the element to the deletion zone that appears at the top.
Interface features in different shells
Smartphone developers often try to improve the standard experience Android, adding your own functions. This means that the layout of the controls may vary significantly depending on the brand of your device. Understanding these differences will save you time when setting up a new gadget.
On devices Samsung with a shell One UI After a long press on the screen, three large buttons appear at the bottom. Widgets are located in the center or left button, depending on the update version. The interface here is larger and adapted for one-handed operation. At the same time, on smartphones Xiaomi s MIUI widgets can be integrated directly into the feed of the left screen (Google Discover or Mi Home), and to access them you need to swipe to the right from the main screen.
Below is a table showing the differences in access to widgets on popular models of Android devices 10:
| Brand / Shell | Call action | Button location | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel (Stock) | Long press | Bottom menu | Minimalistic design |
| Samsung (One UI) | Long press | Bottom panel (3 buttons) | Large controls |
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | Long press / Swipe | Bottom of screen / Left screen | Integration with news feed |
| OnePlus (OxygenOS) | Long press | Bottom menu | Close to stock Android |
So, if The actions described above do not lead to results, it is worth checking for system updates or looking at the official help from the manufacturer.
Hidden system settings widgets
In Android 10, there are system widgets that are not displayed in the general list by default. These include Do Not Disturb controls, Bluetooth and flashlight quick settings. They are often accessible only through the quick settings panel (curtain), but some launchers allow you to bring them to the desktop through special intermediary applications.
The process of adding and placing widgets
After you have found the desired item in the list, it must be correctly placed on the desktop. The drag-and-drop process has become smoother and more responsive. Tap on the selected widget and, without releasing your finger, move it to the desired area of the screen. Android 10 became smoother and more responsive. Tap on the selected widget and, without releasing your finger, move it to the desired area of the screen.
The system will automatically highlight the area where you can place the object. If the space is occupied by other icons, they will move to free up space. However, if the widget requires more area than is available in the current configuration, it may not fit into place or may automatically resize. Some widgets support resizing after installation.
To resize an already installed widget, long press on it. A frame will appear around the element with markers at the corners or sides. By dragging these handles, you can stretch or shrink the widget so it displays more or less information. Not all modules support this function - the ability to resize depends on the developer of the specific application.
☑️ Checklist for successful widget installation
Fixing problems with display and operation
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where widgets disappear from the screen and are not updated or are displayed incorrectly. This may be due to a launcher bug, low RAM, or aggressive power saving settings. In Android 10 the memory management system has become stricter, which sometimes leads to widget background processes being unloaded.
The first step in diagnosing the problem is to clear the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Applications → Find your launcher (for example, Pixel Launcher or One UI Home) → Storage → Clear cache. This action will not delete your desktop settings, but may eliminate temporary glitches in the display of graphic elements.
If the widget stops updating data (for example, shows yesterday's weather), check the application permissions. Go to the settings of the app that owns the widget and make sure it has access to location (for weather) or calendar (for scheduler). Without the appropriate permissions, the widget will not be able to receive up-to-date information.
⚠️ Warning: Aggressive power saving modes may completely disable widget updates to save battery power. If the widget is frozen, add the application to which it belongs to the list of exceptions or allowed background processes in the battery settings.
Third-party launchers and customization
For those for whom standard capabilities Android 10 are not enough, the market offers many third-party launchers. apps like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher provide advanced widget management capabilities. In them, you can overlay widgets on top of each other, create complex grids and customize appearance animations.
Installing a third-party launcher usually does not require complex manipulations. Just download the application from the store Google Play, launch it and select it as the default application for the home screen. After this, the widget menu may look different, offering a more convenient search or categorization of elements.
Using custom launchers gives access to widgets that are technically impossible on the stock system. For example, creating transparent widgets or widgets with a non-standard aspect ratio. However, it is worth considering that third-party shells may consume more device resources, which will affect autonomy.
Third-party launchers give maximum freedom in placing widgets, but may require additional permission settings to work correctly in the background on Android 10.
Why do widgets disappear after rebooting the phone?
This is a common problem associated with the fact that the system does not have time to fully load all services before the desktop is rendered. Try waiting 2-3 minutes after turning it on. If the problem persists, check whether the widget application is installed on the SD card - transfer widgets only to the internal memory.
Is it possible to resize any widget?
No, the ability to resize depends on the application developer. Google system widgets usually support this feature, but third-party widgets may have a fixed size that cannot be changed using standard tools.
Why is the weather widget showing the wrong location?
Most likely, the weather app's permission to access geolocation has been revoked. Go to Settings → Applications → Weather → Permissions and enable location access by selecting the “Only when in use” or “Allow always” mode.
How to remove a widget if it cannot be removed by a long press?
In some launchers, deletion works differently. Try dragging the widget to the very top of the screen, where a trash can icon or cross may appear. If this does not help, go to the settings of a specific application and disable the widget there, or reset the launcher settings.