The operating system Android 9 Pie has brought many changes to the user interface, focusing on adaptability and intelligent functions. For many users, the transition to this version was a reason to re-explore the possibilities of desktop personalization. One of the most popular features remains widgets - small applications that display important information directly on the home screen without the need to launch a full-fledged app.
However, the layout of controls in this version of the OS may be confusing for those who are used to older builds or a clean one. Android. Depending on the manufacturer of your smartphone (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei), the path to managing widgets may differ slightly. In this material, we will look in detail at how to find, add and configure these useful interface elements to make using your smartphone as convenient as possible.
Accessing the widget menu through the home screen
The most common way to find widgets in Android 9 is to use a long press on the free space of the desktop. This method works on most devices with stock firmware and custom skins. You don't need to go into deep system settings, just interact with an empty area of the screen.
Press your finger on any part of the main screen where there are no application or folder icons, and hold it for 1-2 seconds. A bottom toolbar or pop-up menu will appear on the screen. Among the available options you will definitely find the item "Widgets". Clicking on it will open a complete list of all available elements installed in the system.
In some cases, especially on devices with heavy shells like MIUI or EMUI, the interface may prompt you to go straight to selecting the size or type of widget. If you don’t see the desired item right away, try swiping to the right on the desktop - often there is a separate “Google Now” or “Feed” page where you can also add specific cards.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models, a long press may bring up a menu for changing wallpaper. If this happens, just release your finger and try pressing a little to the left or right of the application icons.
Alternative path through the app menu
If the long press method for some reason did not work or seems inconvenient, there is a second universal access method. It is especially relevant for users who prefer navigation through a list of all installed apps. This approach ensures that widgets are found even if the launcher malfunctions.
Open the all applications menu by clicking on the appropriate icon (usually a circle or square with dots in the center of the bottom navigation bar). There is often a "Widgets"tab at the top of the list or in the sidebar. In the stock launcher Pixel this tab is located horizontally at the very top of the list of applications.
Scrolling through this list, you will see not only app icons, but also their extended versions. For example, next to the “Clock” icon there may be a widget with world time, and next to “Weather” there may be a large block with a forecast. This allows you to quickly evaluate the visual style of an element before installing it.
If you cannot find a specific application widget in the general list, try holding the icon of this application in the menu and dragging it to the settings menu that appears, if the system supports it.
Installation process and placement on the desktop
After you have found the desired element in list, the next step is to install it correctly. Just finding a widget is not enough - it needs to be placed correctly so that it does not overlap important icons and functions correctly. The system Android 9 uses a grid to align objects.
Find the desired object in the list and click on it while holding your finger. While still holding down, drag the item to any free area of the home screen. You will see how application icons begin to move, making room for the new block. Release your finger when the widget frame is in the desired place.
Many modern widgets support resizing. Once installed, click on the added block and hold it until a frame with markers around the edges appears. By pulling these markers, you can stretch or shrink the widget vertically or horizontally, adjusting it to your design.
☑️ Correct installation of the widget
It is worth considering that some large widgets require several grid cells to work. If the system does not allow you to place an element, try removing unnecessary icons nearby or moving them to another screen. Free space is a critical factor for installing widescreen panels.
⚠️ Attention: Smartphone manufacturer interfaces may change with security updates. If the described paths do not match your screen, check the latest information in the official help of your device.
Setting parameters and personalization
Installing the widget is only half the battle. For it to bring real benefits, it must be customized to suit your needs. Most elements in Android 9 have their own configuration menus, which open when first added or after a long press.
When dragging some widgets (for example, a calendar or notes), the system may immediately prompt you to select an account or data category. If you skipped this step, long-press on the installed widget, then select the gear icon or item "Customize". Here you can change the color, transparency of the background or the information displayed.
For weather widgets, setting the city and units of measurement (Celsius or Fahrenheit) is often available. In music players, you can choose whether to display album art or just the control buttons. Flexibility of settings allows you to make your desktop unique.
| Widget type | Basic settings | Resource requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Clock | Style, time zone, color | Low |
| Weather | City, units of measurement, detail | Medium (Internet) |
| Calendar | Account selection, display period | Low |
| Music | Playback source, cover | Medium |
Why may the widget not update?
If the widget shows outdated data, check the settings energy saving. In Android 9, aggressive battery optimizations may prevent apps that update widgets from running in the background. Add the application to exceptions.
Removing and managing installed elements
Sooner or later, the need for a specific widget may no longer be necessary, or you will want to free up space on the screen for new icons. Removing a widget is intuitive, but requires care so as not to delete the application itself. To remove a widget from the desktop, find it, press and hold your finger on it. A trash icon or message Android 9 This is done intuitively, but requires care so as not to delete the application itself.
To remove a widget from your desktop, find it, tap and hold your finger on it. A trash can icon or message will usually appear at the top of the screen “Delete”usually appears at the top of the screen. Drag the widget to this area and release your finger. In this case, the application itself will remain installed on the system.
It is important to distinguish between deleting a widget and deleting an application. If you drag the application icon to the trash, the app will be uninstalled. The widget is only a “window” into the app, and its removal does not in any way affect the performance of the main software.
For deeper control, you can use the launcher settings. In some skins, it is possible to hide certain types of widgets from the general list if you never use them. This helps reduce visual noise when searching for the desired element.
Removing a widget from the desktop does not delete the application itself from the smartphone's memory, it only removes the shortcut for quick access to information.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite stability Android 9 Pie, users sometimes experience widgets not being displayed, not updating, or disappearing after a reboot. This is most often related to power saving settings or permissions.
If the widget shows an error or old data, check whether the application has permission to run in the background. Go to Settings → Applications, find the desired app and make sure that the background activity restriction is removed. Also check if you have access to geolocation for weather widgets.
In rare cases, clearing the launcher cache helps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Launcher (or Desktop) → Storage and click "Clear cache". This action is safe and will not delete your settings, but it may fix interface display errors.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher settings to factory settings may return the arrangement of icons to their original state. Use this measure only as a last resort if other methods have not helped.
Frequently asked questions
Why did all widgets disappear after updating to Android 9?
During a major system update, the launcher settings may be reset. Check the widget menu by long pressing on the screen - most likely, they simply have not been added to the desktop again. Also make sure that the applications that create widgets were not deleted during the update process.
Is it possible to change the transparency of a widget in Android 9?
It is not always possible to change transparency using standard system tools. This depends on the specific widget and the manufacturer's skin. Often this option is available in the settings menu of the widget itself (long press → Configure), or installation of a third-party launcher is required.
Why doesn’t the weather widget show my data?
Make sure that the Weather application or the corresponding widget is allowed access to geolocation. Without this right, it will not be able to determine your location and show the current forecast. Check the settings in the section Applications → Permissions.
How to add a widget to the lock screen in Android 9?
In Android 9, the ability to add custom widgets to the lock screen has been significantly limited for security reasons and to save battery. Typically, only the standard clock and notifications are displayed there. It is almost impossible to install third-party widgets on the lock screen without root access.
Do widgets affect the speed of battery drain?
Yes, active widgets that constantly update data (weather, news, mail) consume battery power and use Internet traffic. The more widgets on the screen and the more often they are updated, the higher the energy consumption. Disable unnecessary elements to save money.