How to add a widget to the Samsung Android screen: all methods for different versions of One UI

Adding widgets to the home screen Samsung Galaxy is one of the easiest ways to personalize your device and get quick access to the information you need. Widgets can show weather, calendar, notes, smart home controls, or even miniature versions of apps. However, the interface One UI from Samsung is regularly updated, and the location of options may differ depending on the firmware version and smartphone model.

In this article we will look at all the current ways to add widgets - from the standard method through the menu to hidden functions for advanced users. You will learn how to work with widgets on Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy A54 and other models, as well as what to do if the desired widget does not appear in the list. We will pay special attention to typical errors that interfere with installation and ways to eliminate them.

Preparation: which widgets are supported by your Samsung

Before adding a widget, it is important to understand which ones are available on your device. Samsung divides widgets into three categories:

• 📱 Standard One UI widgets — weather, clock, calendar, music player, notes. They are preinstalled in the system and are updated along with the firmware.
• 🎯 Third-party application widgets —for example, from Google Keep, Spotify or Yandex.Weather. Their availability depends on the installed apps.
• 🔧 Hidden system widgets —for example, CPU activity or Memory usage. They must be activated manually through the developer settings.

To check the full list of available widgets:

1. Touch and hold an empty space on the main screen.
2. A panel with options will appear at the bottom of the screen - select "Widgets" (icon with squares).
3. Scroll down the list: all supported elements are displayed here.

If the widget you need is not in the list, this may mean:

• ❌ The application to which it refers is not installed or disabled.
• ❌ The widget is hidden by the manufacturer (for example, on budget models Galaxy M some functions are disabled).
• ❌ Outdated version One UI - update the firmware via Settings → Software update.

Method 1: Standard adding via widget menu

This is the most universal method that works on all smartphones Samsung s One UI 2.0 and later (including Galaxy S23, A73, Z Flip5 etc.). Follow the instructions:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the desktop where you want to add the widget.
2. Touch and hold empty space on the screen (not on the application icon!). After 1-2 seconds, the context menu will appear.
3. In the bottom panel, select "Widgets"** (four square icon).
4. Scroll the list up or down to find the desired widget. For example, for weather, select "Weather" (from Samsung) or "Google Weather".
5. Touch and hold widget, then drag it to an empty space on the screen.
6. Release your finger - the widget will be added. If necessary, configure its settings (for example, select a city for the weather).

If the widget does not fit on the screen, the system will offer to move it to another desktop or resize it. On Galaxy S22 and newer you can use zoom gesture: after adding, pull the white dots on the corners of the widget to stretch it.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example Galaxy XCover) standard widgets may be disabled due to corporate policies. In this case, check the settings Lock screen and home screen → Additional settings.

Method 2: Adding through the quick settings panel (for One UI 5.0+)

In firmware One UI 5.0 and newer (relevant for Galaxy S23, Z Fold4, A54 and other devices from 2022–2026), an alternative way to add widgets via Notification panelhas appeared. This method is convenient if you frequently switch between desktops.

Instructions:

1. Swipe down from the top edge screento open the notification panel.
2. Swipe down again to open the full panel.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the icon "⚙️ Settings"** (gear).
4. Select "Edit Quick Access Toolbar"**.
5. Find the option in the list "Widgets" (may be called "Add widget") and drag it to the active area.
6. Save the changes and return to the main screen.
7. Now when you swipe down on the notification panel there will be a button "Widgets"** - click on it to quickly add any element.

This method is especially useful for widgets that you use temporarily (for example, a timer or voice recording). After use, you can just as quickly delete them without going to the screen editing menu.

Samsung model	Supported version One. UI	Is the method available through the notification panel?
Galaxy S24 Ultra	6.1	Yes
Galaxy Z Flip5	5.1.1	Yes
Galaxy A54	5.0	Yes
Galaxy S20 FE	3.1	No
Galaxy Note 10	2.5	No

Method 3: Using the “Okay” application (Samsung Free)

Smartphones Samsung have a pre-installed application "Good"** (previously Samsung Free), which offers not only news and games, but also unique dynamic widgets. They are updated in real time and can display sports results, exchange rates or content recommendations.

How to add a widget from "Good":

1. Swipe to the left of the main screen to open the panel. data-i="154">Select a category (for example, "Fine" (or «Samsung Free» on older models).
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap «➕»** (add widget).
3. Select a category (eg "Sports" or "Finance").
4. Touch and hold the desired widget, then drag it to the home screen.

The advantage of this method is that widgets are automatically updated without additional settings. For example, the widget "Currency rates"** will show current data from Yahoo Finance or Investing.com.

⚠️ Attention: Widgets from “Good” can consume more data in the background. If you have limited traffic, disable auto-update in the application settings.

Method 4: Widgets for the lock screen (only for One UI 4.0+)

Starting with One UI 4.0, Samsung allowed to add widgets to lock screen. This is convenient for quick access to information without unlocking the phone. For example, you can display the weather, calendar or player.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select "Widgets"**.
3. Activate the slider "Show information widgets"**.
4. Click "Add widget"** and select the one you want from the list (only system ones are available: weather, calendar, music).
5. Customize the display: you can choose transparency, size and location.

Limitations:

• ❌ Supported only system widgets (no third-party).
• ❌ On some models (for example, Galaxy M13) the function is disabled.
• ❌ Widgets on the lock screen consume additional energy (up to 5–7% charge per day).

How to remove widgets from the lock screen?

Go to Settings → Lock screen → Widgets and disable the slider or remove unnecessary elements manually.

Troubleshooting: the widget is not added or disappears

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the widget is not displayed in the list, is not saved after adding, or disappears after a reboot. Let's look at typical causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: The widget does not appear in the menu

Possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 The application is not updated —check the version in Google Play (for example, for Spotify or Google Podcasts).
• 🚫 The widget is disabled in settings - go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Widgets and enable it.
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions —on some models (for example, Galaxy J or Galaxy A03) some widgets are disabled to save resources.

Problem 2: The widget disappears after reboot

This is a common error on devices with One UI 3.1–4.0Solutions:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Home screen → Storage → Clear cache.
2. Disable battery optimization for the launcher: Settings → Device care → Battery → Battery optimization → Select “Home screen” → Disable.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version.

Problem 3: The widget does not update the data

If, for example, the weather widget shows outdated information:

• 🔄 Reboot device.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (widgets require background network access).
• ⚙️ Go to the widget settings (touch and hold it, then select "Settings") and turn on "Auto-update".

Hidden widgets: how to enable system tools

Samsung hides some widgets that may be useful for advanced users. For example:

• 📊 CPU activity monitor - shows CPU load in real time.
• 🗑️ Memory usage - displays free space on the computer. drive.
• 🔋 Battery status —detailed information about temperature and charge level.

To activate them:

1. Turn on developer mode: Settings → About phone → Software information → Build number (tap 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Developer mode and turn on option "Show debugging widgets"**.
3. Now these widgets will appear in the standard add menu.

⚠️ Attention: System widgets may conflict with some applications (for example, s Greenify or Battery Saver). If after adding them the phone starts to slow down, remove the widget and reboot the device.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about widgets on Samsung

You can Is it possible to add a widget to the Always On Display (AOD) screen?

No, at the moment Samsung does not support widgets on the screen. Always On Displayonly the time, date, notifications and status icons are displayed. However, in Galaxy S24 Ultra in AOD mode you can customize the animation of the clock with the weather. - this is the closest analogue.

Why does the “Weather” widget show the wrong city?

The widget takes location data from the application settings "Weather"** (from Samsung) To fix:

1. Open the application "Weather"**.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Locations"**.
3. Delete the current location and add the correct one manually.
4. Return to the main screen - the widget will update within 1-2 minutes.

If the problem persists, check the permissions for the application: Settings → Applications → Weather → Permissions → Location.

How to change the size widget?

On One UI 5.0+ most widgets support zooming:

1. Touch and hold the widget.
2. Release your finger when a frame with white dots in the corners appears.
3. Drag the dots to increase or decrease the size.
4. Some widgets (for example, "Clock"**) have fixed sizes - they cannot be changed.

On older versions of One UI (up to 4.0) scaling is available only for system widgets.

Is it possible to transfer widgets to another Samsung smartphone?

There is no direct way to transfer widgets, but you can save their settings:

1. Make a backup copy of the main screen via Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch.
2. When you restore widgets to a new device, will not be transferred, but their location will be preserved. You will have to add them again manually.
3. For third-party widgets (for example, Google Calendar) may require re-authorization.

Why do widgets not work in power saving mode?

In mode "Maximum energy saving" (or "Ultra economical") Samsung disables the background activity of widgets to extend the operating time. fix:

1. Disable the energy saving mode in the notification panel.
2. Or add a widget to exceptions: Settings → Device care → Battery → Power saving mode → Configure → Exceptions.

Please note: even in this case, some widgets (for example "CPU activity"**) may not update.