The Android operating system provides users with a unique opportunity to personalize their smartphone to suit their own needs. One of the most effective tools for this are widgets - small interactive elements that are located directly on the desktop.
They allow you to instantly access important information, such as the weather, calendar or exchange rates, without going inside the corresponding applications. Many users often wonder how to properly manipulate these elements in order to create the perfect interface.
In this article we will look in detail at all aspects of working with widgets. You will learn about ways to install, resize and delete them, and also get acquainted with the features specific to different versions of Android and shells from manufacturers.
What are widgets and why you need them?
A widget is more than just an application icon. This is a dynamic element interfacethat can display current data in real time. For example, the weather widget shows temperature and precipitation, updating automatically while you look at the lock screen or desktop.
Using widgets saves a lot of time. Instead of unlocking your phone, looking for an icon Weather, clicking on it and waiting for it to load, you immediately see the information you need. This is especially useful for frequently used functions, such as controlling music or viewing your appointment schedule.
Modern versions of Android, from 12 to the latest 14, offer advanced customization options. You can change not only the position, but also the visual style of the elements, matching them to your wallpaper and design theme.
⚠️ Attention: An excessive number of active widgets, especially those that constantly update data (news, weather), can significantly increase battery consumption and RAM consumption.
Use widgets are only for information that you check several times a day. It is better to keep other applications in the menu so as not to clutter up the space.
How to add a new widget to the home screen
The process of adding an element to the desktop is intuitive, but may vary slightly depending on the model of your device. In most cases, you need to long press on a free area of the screen.
After this action, a context menu will appear. You need to select item Widgets or Widgets. A list of all available items installed on the system will open. Here you can find both standard Android tools and widgets from third-party applications that you downloaded from Google Play.
Find the desired item in the list. Often widgets from the same application are grouped together. Click on the app name to reveal a full list of available sizes and styles. Then hold the selected widget with your finger and drag it to an empty space on the desktop.
☑️ Algorithm for adding a widget
Some shells, for example One UI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi, allow you to add widgets through a separate button at the bottom of the screen or through the home page editing menu. The principle remains the same: selecting an element and placing it in a convenient area.
Changing the size and position of elements
Once the widget is on the screen, its parameters can be flexibly configured. The standard size may not suit your icon layout. To change the dimensions of an element, long press on it.
A frame with resizing markers will appear around the widget. They are usually located in the corners or sides. By pulling these handles, you can stretch the element vertically or horizontally. The system will automatically display a grid, helping you align the widget relative to other objects.
It is important to understand that not all widgets support resizing. Some have fixed proportions set by the application developer. If there are no resizing markers, then this element cannot be scaled.
| Widget type | Support for resizing | Minimum size (cells) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock and Weather | Full | 2x1 or 4x2 | Often change content when stretched |
| Calendar | Partial | 4x2 | Usually only by vertical |
| Application shortcuts | No | 1x1 | Fixed icon size |
| Google Search | Full | 4x1 | Can stretch to full width screen |
To move the widget, simply hold it and drag it to the desired location. If there are other icons along the way, they will automatically move to free up space. If there is not enough space, the widget will not move to the new location.
The desktop grid determines the accuracy of positioning. On some smartphones, in the screen settings, you can disable snapping to the grid for freer placement.
How to remove or replace a widget
If an element is no longer useful or you want to free up space for other applications, it is easy to delete it. The deletion mechanics are the same for most versions of Android. Press and hold the widget with your finger until vibration or a menu appears.
A delete zone will appear at the top of the screen, often indicated by a trash can icon or a cross with the text Delete. Drag the widget into this area. After the element disappears, space on the desktop will become free.
An alternative way is to use the edit menu. When you press it for a long time, a pop-up window with a trash can icon may appear. Click on it to confirm the deletion. This method is safer because it prevents you from accidentally moving the element instead of deleting it.
⚠️ Attention: Removing a widget from the desktop does not delete the application itself from the phone's memory. The app will remain installed and accessible through the menu of all applications.
Replacing a widget occurs in two stages: first you delete the old element, and then add a new one according to the algorithm described in the section above. Some launchers allow you to change the widget type without completely deleting it by selecting a new option from the context menu, but this is a rare feature.
What to do if the widget is not deleted?
If the widget does not respond to a long press or the trash bin does not appear, the desktop lock mode may be enabled. Go to Settings → Home screen and disable the “Lock Layout” option.
Features of widgets in different versions of Android
The evolution of the operating system has brought significant changes to working with widgets. In older versions, such as Android 9 or 10, widgets were added through a separate menu, called up by swiping to the right or a button in the Dock bar. Starting with Android 12, Google introduced a new design. Widgets have become more rounded, adaptive to the color scheme of the wallpaper. It has become possible to stack widgets - placing several elements on top of each other in one grid cell.
Starting with Android 12, Google has introduced a new design Material You. Widgets have become more rounded, adaptive to the color scheme of the wallpaper. It is now possible to stack widgets - placing several elements on top of each other in one grid cell.
In Android 13 and 14, the functionality has expanded even more. Interactive widgets have appeared that allow you to perform actions (for example, mark tasks or like) directly from your desktop without opening the application. The system for recommending widgets when installing new apps has also been improved.
Smartphone manufacturers often modify these functions. For example, the shell HyperOS or One UI 6 has its own widget stores with a unique design that are not found in “pure” Android. This allows for more creative freedom, but can be confusing for users switching brands.
If you update your system to a new version of Android, old widgets may be reset or resized. Be prepared to reconfigure your desktop after a major software update.
Solution: Widgets do not work or disappear
Sometimes users encounter a situation where widgets stop updating, display black squares, or spontaneously disappear from the screen. This is most often due to aggressive power saving built into the system.
The operating system can “freeze” background application processes to save battery. If the application that creates the widget is limited in background activity, the widget will stop receiving up-to-date data. You need to go to Settings → Applications, find the desired app and allow it to run in the background.
Another reason is the lack of RAM. If the phone is overloaded with tasks, the system can unload widgets from memory. In this case, restarting the device or closing unnecessary applications helps.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair) may have their own restrictions on the number and type of widgets. If you are using a non-standard desktop, check its permission settings.
It is also worth checking if the power saving mode is enabled. This mode often disables automatic updating of weather and news widgets. Disable the "Battery Saver" mode to restore normal operation of the elements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to place a widget on the lock screen?
In the standard version of Android, placing arbitrary widgets on the lock screen is not possible for security reasons and saving battery power. However, some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) add such a function to their shells. There are also special lock screen launcher applications that emulate this feature.
Why does the weather widget show incorrect data?
This can happen for several reasons: geolocation for the weather application is disabled, there is no Internet access, or the time zone settings are lost. Check whether the application is allowed to detect your location (“Only while in use” or “Always”), and make sure that the correct city is selected in the widget settings.
How to move widgets to another desktop?
To do this, you need to hold the widget and drag it to the edge of the screen (left or right). The system will automatically switch to the adjacent desktop page. There you can release your finger to lock the element in a new location. If there are no pages, the system will create a new one automatically.
Do widgets affect the speed of a smartphone?
Yes, they do, but only slightly when used correctly. One or two widgets are practically invisible to the system. However, a large number of actively updated widgets (especially with animation) creates a load on the processor and RAM, which can lead to micro-slowdowns of the interface and rapid battery drain.
Is it possible to change the color of a widget manually?
In Android 12 and later, the colors of many system widgets are automatically adjusted to the wallpaper (function Material You). Manual color changes are not available for all widgets. Some applications (for example, Google Calendar or Widgets from KWGT) have their own theme settings inside the application, where you can choose a light, dark or transparent theme.