Where are widgets on Android Samsung: all methods of access and configuration

Widgets on Samsung Galaxy are mini-apps that display useful information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, notes, smart home control or quick settings. However, many users encounter a problem: after updating One UI or purchasing a new smartphone, widgets suddenly “disappear” or cannot be found. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to access widgets on Android Samsung, including hidden menus and features of different firmware versions.

It is important to understand that the location of widgets depends on the version One UI (Samsung shell) and device model. For example, on Galaxy S24 Ultra s One UI 6.1 the algorithm for adding widgets differs from Galaxy A52 s One UI 5.0s. We will look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific lines - from flagships to budget models.

1. Standard method: how to open the widget panel on Samsung

The most obvious way is through widget menu, which is available on any home screen. To open it:

1. Touch and hold empty space on the home screen (not on the application icon!).
2. A panel with three tabs: Widgets, Wallpapers and Styles.
3. Select a tab Widgets —all available ones will be displayed here mini-apps.

If the panel does not appear, check: Is it working correctly? On some models (for example

• 🔄 Long press does it work correctly? On some models (for example, Galaxy Z Foldyou need to press with a slight delay.
• 📱 Version One UI: in One UI 6.0+ the menu animation has become smoother, and you can skip it if you quickly remove your finger.
• 🔒 Easy mode (Easy Mode) disabled? Widgets are not available in it.

If widgets are not displayed even after these steps, the problem may be related to launcher (the app responsible for the home screen). Samsung uses its own launcher Samsung Experience Home, but some users install third-party ones (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher). In this case, the algorithm for adding widgets changes.

2. Where to find widgets in different versions One UI

Interface One UI is regularly updated, and the location of widgets may vary. Below is a comparison table for popular versions:

One UI version	How to open widgets	Features
One UI 6.1 (2026)	Long press → tab Widgets bottom of the screen	Support dynamic widgets (resize automatically). Widgets Samsung Health and SmartThings are placed in separate categories.
One UI 5.0–6.0 (2022–2023)	Long press → icon ⚙️ Widgets in the lower right corner	Widgets Bixby and Samsung Pay can be hidden by default.
One UI 4.0 and older (2021)	Long press → swipe left to the tab Widgets	Limit on the number of widgets on one screen (maximum 8).

On Galaxy S23/S24 With One UI 6.1, widgets can be added directly from the application menu: swipe up → tap on the application icon → select “Add widget.” This function is not available in older versions.

3. Why widgets disappeared and how to get them back

A common problem is widgets suddenly disappear from the home screen. Reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Resetting launcher settings: go to Settings → Applications → Samsung Experience Home → Storage → Reset. This will return standard widgets, but will remove custom screen settings.
• 📱 One UI update: after major updates (for example, from 5.0 to 6.0) widgets can be reset. Check them again in the widgets menu.
• 🚫 Administrator restrictions: if the smartphone is controlled through Knox (corporate devices), widgets may be blocked by security policy.
• 🗑️ Deleting an application: the widget disappears if you delete the main application (for example, the widget Spotify will disappear after uninstalling the app).

How to restore widgets after a reset?

If widgets disappeared after a reset settings, try:

1. Reboot the device.

2. Update all system applications via Galaxy Store.

3. Manually add widgets again from the menu (see section 1).

If the problem persists, check if the mode is disabled For developers → Disable widgets (rare, but occurs after manual intervention in the settings).

On Galaxy Z Flip/Fold widgets can “hide” due to the features of the flexible screen. For example, on Z Fold 5 widgets on the external display are configured separately from the internal one. To see them:

1. Expand the device.
2. Press and hold an empty space on external screen.
3. Select Widgets and add the ones you need.

4. Hidden widgets: how to find system and service widgets

Not all widgets are visible in the main menu. Some are hidden and require additional steps to activate. For example:

• 🔋 Battery widget: shows detailed consumption statistics. To add it, you must first enable Settings → Device care → Battery → Usage details.
• 📡 Mobile network widget: displays signal strength and connection type (4G/5G). Available only if the Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Additional settings option is enabled Show network type.
• 🔒 Knox Widget: appears only on devices with activated protection Samsung Knox (usually on corporate smartphones).

Another way to find hidden widgets is to use search:

1. Open the widget menu (see section 1).
2. At the top of the screen, click on the magnifying glass icon (🔍).
3. Enter the name of the desired widget (for example, "Bixby" or "SmartThings»).

On Galaxy S22/S23 s One UI 5.1+ there is an experimental function Laboratorywhere you can enable additional widgets. To do this:

Settings → Additional functions → Laboratory → Widgets

⚠️ Attention: Functions in Laboratory may work unstable or disappear after updates. It is not recommended to enable them on working devices.

5. screen: step-by-step guide

When you have found the widget you need, all that remains is to add it to the home screen:

Some widgets (for example, Samsung Free or Bixby Routines) are required additional settings after adding. For example, for a widget Weather you need:

1. Add a widget to the screen.
2. Click on it and select Settings.
3. Specify the city, units of measurement (Celsius/Fahrenheit) and display style.

On Galaxy Tab (tablets) widgets can be placed not only on the home screen, but also on lock screen. To do this:

Settings → Lock screen → Widgets → Select the ones you want

⚠️ Attention: Widgets on the lock screen can display sensitive information (for example, messages or calendar). Turn them off if you use your smartphone in public places.

6. Removing and managing widgets

To remove a widget from the home screen:

1. Tap and hold the widget.
2. Drag it to the top of the screen to the caption Delete (or Remove to English firmware).
3. Release your finger.

On One UI 6.0+ a function has appeared grouping widgets. For example, you can combine widgets Weather, Clock and Calendar into one folder. To do this:

• Press and hold one widget.
• Drag it to another widget.
• Release - a folder will appear that can be renamed.

If the widget is not deleted in the standard way, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the device.
• 📱 Update the application to which the widget belongs.
• 🚫 Delete and reinstall the application (the widget will disappear along with it).

7. Problems with widgets and their solutions

Common errors and ways to fix them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Widget is not updated	Synchronization error or cache	Go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Storage → Clear cache.
Widget appears empty	No data or crash	Restart your device or reinstall the application.
You cannot change the size of the widget	The widget does not support scaling	Check the widget description in the add menu (if there is icon ↔️).
The widget disappears after reboot	Launcher failure or application conflict	Reset the launcher settings (see section 3) or disable battery optimization for the application.

If the widget Samsung Health does not work, check:

• 🔄 Synchronization settings: Samsung Health → Settings → Data synchronization.
• 📱 Permissions: Settings → Applications → Samsung Health → Permissions (must be enabled Storage, Phone, Body sensors).
• 🔋 Battery optimization: add Samsung Health to the list Do not optimize.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about widgets on Samsung

Can I move widgets to another screen?

Yes, press and hold the widget, then drag it. it to the edge of the screen. When the next screen appears, release your finger. One UI 6.0+ supports moving between screens by swiping left/right while dragging.

Why are some widgets not displayed in the list?

This may be due to:

• An outdated version of the application (update it).
• Regional restrictions (some widgets, for example Samsung Payare not available in some countries).
• Lack of support on your model (for example, widgets DeX are only available on flagships).

How to return standard widgets after a reset?

If widgets disappeared after a reset Weather, Clock or Samsung Daily, do:

1. Update all system applications via Galaxy Store.
2. Restart the device.
3. Add widgets again from the menu (they should appear).

If the widget Samsung Daily is missing, check if it is disabled in Settings → Home screen → Samsung Daily.

Is it possible to create your own widget on Samsung?

No using standard means. However, you can:

• Use apps like KWGT or UCCW to create custom widgets.
• Use Tasker to automate and display data as a widget.
• On One UI 6.1 there is now support for widgets Good Lockwhere you can customize some system elements.

Why do widgets slow down or freeze?

Most often this is due to:

• 🔋 Battery optimization: disable it for the application to which the widget belongs.
• 📱 RAM overload: close background applications or restart the device.
• 🔄 Launcher failure: clear cache Samsung Experience Home.

On Galaxy A-series with 4 GB of RAM, widgets may slow down due to lack of resources. Try reducing the number of simultaneously active widgets.