A modern smartphone is not just a means of communication, but the main source of information that should be available at first glance. One of the most requested features is the ability to see the weather forecast without having to open a browser or launch third-party applications. A correctly configured widget on the desktop allows you to save time and immediately assess the conditions outside the window.
However, users often encounter a situation where, after resetting the settings or purchasing a new device, the familiar temperature icon disappears. You can customize the display of weather information in the system in several ways, each of which has its own advantages depending on the firmware version and the manufacturer's shell. Android can be done in several ways, each of which has its own advantages depending on the firmware version and the manufacturer’s shell.
In this article we will look in detail at how to return the weather to the screen using the built-in system tools and popular third-party apps. You will learn how to place informative blocks on the main screen and lock screen, and also solve possible problems with updating data.
Using built-in Android system tools
Most modern smartphones based on Android already have pre-installed tools for displaying the weather. In pure versions of the system, such as on phones Pixel or Moto, this function is integrated into the panel Google Discover or standard launcher. To activate the widget, just long press on an empty space on the desktop.
In the menu that opens, select the “Widgets” item. Here you will find a list of all available tools, grouped by application. Find the Weather or Google section and drag the item you want onto the screen. The standard module from Google usually provides accurate data and a minimalistic design.
If you have a smartphone from Chinese manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Samsung or Huawei, the interface may differ. In shells MIUI or One UI weather widgets are often more detailed and can display humidity, wind speed and ultraviolet index immediately on the main screen.
It is important to consider that for the built-in modules to work correctly, an active Internet connection and geolocation are required. The system uses GPS module to determine your location and load the current forecast for a specific area.
⚠️ Attention: If the widget shows the wrong city, check your geolocation settings. Make sure your Weather or Google app permissions are set to Allow Always or Only When Used.
Some users prefer to hide unnecessary information. If you want to remove the weather, simply click on the widget and select Remove. This action will not delete the application itself, but will only hide its visual part from the desktop.
Customizing widgets from third-party applications
When standard functions are not enough, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. Third-party solutions often offer more flexible customization of design, animation, and data sources. Popular options are AccuWeather, Weather & Radar and YoWindow.
After installing the selected application, the process of adding a widget is almost identical to the system one. You need to hold your finger on an empty area of the screen, go to the widgets menu and find the name of the installed application. Dragging an element onto the desktop will activate it.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is the possibility of customization. You can change the block size, color scheme, font, and number of options displayed. Some applications allow you to display animated scenes corresponding to the current weather, which makes the interface more lively.
- 🌡️ AccuWeather —known for high accuracy of forecasts and the MinuteCast function, which shows precipitation minute by minute.
- 🌧️ Weather & Radar —provides detailed precipitation maps and radar images directly in the widget.
- 🏡 YoWindow —a unique application that visualizes the landscape of your settlement in real time.
When using third-party software, you should pay attention to the energy saving settings. Aggressive battery optimization algorithms may prevent the widget from updating data in a timely manner. You need to add the application to the exceptions list or remove background activity restrictions.
To save battery power, select a static widget without animation. Dynamic wallpapers and live scenes consume more processor and screen resources.
Displaying information on the lock screen
For many users, it is critical to see the weather without even unlocking the phone. The lock screen (Lock Screen) is the perfect place to post a quick summary. Setting this parameter depends on the device model and operating system version.
In smartphones Samsung with shell One UI weather information is often built into the clock on the lock screen by default. To change the display style, go to Settings → Lock screen → Clock. Here you can select a style that includes the temperature and weather conditions icon.
On devices Xiaomi and Poco with shell MIUI or HyperOS functionality is even wider. You can add a separate weather widget to your lock screen through the lock screen edit menu. To do this, swipe left on the lock screen or go to the theme settings.
If standard tools do not allow you to display the necessary information, you can use applications to customize the lock screen, such as KLCK. This is a powerful tool that allows you to create your design from scratch, but it requires a deeper dive into the settings.
| Smartphone brand | Path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → Lock screen → Clock | Integration with the clock, cannot be moved separately |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → Always on screen and lock screen | Ability to add individual widgets |
| Google Pixel | Settings → Lock screen | Minimalistic appearance, depends on the version Android |
| Honor / Huawei | Settings → Home screen and lock screen | Support for lock logs with weather |
It is worth remembering that displaying information on the locked screen may slightly increase energy consumption, especially if technology is used Always On Display. However, modern AMOLED screens are optimized to work in this mode without significant damage to autonomy.
☑️ Checking the lock screen settings
Always On Display and weather
Technology Always On Display (AOD) allows you to display key information, including time, date and weather on the turned off smartphone screen. This feature is available mainly on devices with AMOLED matriceswhere individual pixels can light up independently without consuming much power.
To enable weather display in AOD mode, go to display settings. Usually the path looks like Settings → Display → Always-on screen. In the AOD style menu, select the option that contains a weather icon next to the clock.
Some manufacturers allow you to customize the schedule for this feature. You can set it to turn on automatically only for a certain time or when you receive notifications. This helps balance ease of use and battery life.
⚠️ Please note: Manufacturer interfaces change frequently. If you do not find the AOD item in the indicated places, use the search in the settings by entering the query “Always On” or “Permanent screen”.
It is important to note that on some budget models with IPS screens, the full AOD function may be absent or replaced by the “Raise to turn on” mode. In this case, the weather will be displayed only after raising the smartphone or receiving a notification.
Why does the weather disappear on AOD?
Sometimes the weather widget disappears from the AOD screen due to limitations of the power saving system. Try disabling battery optimization for the Weather app or restarting your device. Also make sure that the application has access to geolocation in the background.
Diagnostics of problems with data updating
The situation when the weather widget is frozen at one value or shows dashes occurs quite often. Most often, the problem lies not in a phone breakdown, but in the network access settings or application rights. First of all, check that you have a stable Internet connection.
If the Internet is working properly, you need to check the application permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Weather → Permissions. Make sure location access is allowed. Without coordinates, the application will not be able to download the forecast for your area.
Another common reason is a full cache. Clearing temporary files can restore the functionality of the widget. To do this, select “Storage” in the application menu and click the “Clear cache” button. Do not confuse this with clearing data, which will reset all widget settings.
- 🔄 Check to see if Data Saver mode is enabled, which may block background updating.
- 🔋 Disable Power Saver mode, as it often freezes background processes.
- 📍 Make sure that location services (GPS) are turned on in the notification shade.
In rare cases, the problem may be on the server side of the weather data provider. If none of the methods help, try deleting the widget, restarting your phone and adding it again. This action restarts the interface update service.
90% of problems with incorrect weather display are solved by checking permission to access geolocation and disabling hard energy saving.
Optimizing and personalizing the interface
After the weather has successfully appeared on the screen, you can fine-tune the maximum convenience. Proper organization of the workspace allows you to receive all the necessary information instantly, without performing unnecessary actions.
Try changing the size of the widget. Most modern launchers allow you to stretch blocks across the screen grid. A larger widget can display an hourly forecast several days in advance, while a compact one will only show the current temperature.
Use a combination of widgets to create a dashboard. Place weather, exchange rate and calendar modules nearby. This approach turns the home screen into an effective dashboard that increases the productivity of using your smartphone.
Don't forget to regularly update your weather apps. Developers are constantly improving forecasting algorithms and correcting bugs in widgets. The current version of the software guarantees stable operation and compatibility with the new version Android.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the weather widget show the temperature in Fahrenheit and not in Celsius?
Most likely, the wrong region or units of measurement are selected in the settings of the application or widget itself. Go to the settings of the “Weather” application, find the “Units of Measurement” section and switch the value from °F to °C. Also check the region in the general phone settings.
Is it possible to display the weather on a second desktop?
Yes, you can add weather widgets to any available desktop. To do this, simply scroll through the screens and repeat the procedure for adding a widget via a long press. The number of widgets is unlimited if space on the screen allows.
Why does the widget become white or blank after rebooting the phone?
This happens if the weather application was closed by the system in order to save memory and did not have time to update before loading the interface. Add the application to the list of protected or exceptions in the battery settings so that the system does not terminate its process.
Does frequent updating of the weather widget affect the speed of battery drain?
Modern widgets are optimized and updated once every 15-30 minutes, which has virtually no effect on the charge. Significant expenditure is possible only when using “live” widgets with constant animation or when the application malfunctions when it tries to update itself endlessly.