Owning a modern smartphone means instant access to important information, and weather conditions are the data we check most often. For device owners Samsung Galaxy the process of displaying this information on the desktop is as simplified as possible thanks to the shell One UI. You don’t need to unlock your phone and open the browser every time to find out whether to take an umbrella or sunglasses.
However, beginners often encounter difficulties when initially setting up widgets or activating geolocation. Location accuracy directly affects the reliability of the forecast, so it is important to correctly configure application access to the GPS module. In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to add weather widgets, from standard solutions to third-party applications.
The methods discussed below are relevant for most models of the line Samsung Galaxy, starting with the A, M series and ending with the flagships S and Z. The interface may vary slightly depending on the operating version system Android and shell One UI.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may differ on different firmware versions. If you do not find an exact match, look for similar options in the settings.
Basic requirements for widgets to work
Before you start installing a widget on the home screen, you need to make sure that your device is ready to receive current data. Geolocation services must be active, since they are the ones that transmit coordinates to your device to calculate the forecast. Without GPS enabled, the widget will show data either by default (often a capital or large city) or require manual input.
It is also worth checking that you have an active Internet connection. Weather widgets do not store data in the phone's memory, but load it in real time. This can be either mobile data or connection Wi-Fi. If the network is unstable, the widget may display old data or an update error icon.
Another important aspect is permission to work in the background. The system Android has strict power saving mechanisms that can limit background application activity. In order for the widget to update on time, the system must allow the corresponding service to operate.
To save battery power, set the widget update interval to 30 or 60 minutes if you do not need minute-by-minute temperature changes.
Installing the standard Samsung Weather widget
In each smartphone Samsung a proprietary application Weather (Weather) is installed out of the box, which is integrated with services AccuWeather or The Weather Channel. This is the most optimized option, as it consumes a minimum of resources and fits perfectly into the design One UI. To install it on your desktop, follow these steps:
Press and hold your finger on an empty area of the home screen until the edit menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, select Widgets. In the list that opens, find the section Weather or Weather. Click on it to expand the available design options.
- 🌤️ Select a classic widget with a large temperature and a forecast for several days.
- 🌡️ Select a minimalistic widget that displays only the current temperature.
- 📅 Select a widget with a detailed hourly forecast and precipitation graph.
After choosing a design, drag the widget to an empty space on the screen. When you first start, the system will ask for permission to access the location. Select the option Allow only when in use or Allow always to automatically update data when moving between cities.
☑️ Setting up the Samsung widget
If the widget displays the wrong city, tap it or swipe down to update. In the settings of the widget itself (via a long press and the settings button), you can add additional cities or change the temperature units from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Using Google Weather widgets
Many users prefer the ecosystem Google due to its accuracy and integration with the search engine. Widgets Google often provide more detailed information about air quality and humidity. To install such a widget on Samsung you do not need to download separate applications, since the service is built into the system.
The installation process is similar to working with standard widgets. Go to the widgets menu via a long press on the desktop. Find the section Google or Google Weather. Here you will see several design options, including the famous widget with cards Google Discover.
One of the key features of widgets Google is the ability to quickly configure without entering the application. When you drag a widget onto the screen, a preset menu may appear where you can immediately select a display style (dark, light or transparent background).
⚠️ Warning: Google widgets may consume a little more traffic since they often update the news feed with weather data. Monitor your traffic consumption if you have a limited tariff.
For the widgets to work correctly Google make sure that location history is enabled in your account settings Google . This allows the system to remember frequently visited places (home, work) and automatically switch forecasts without your participation.
What to do if the Google widget is not updated?
If the widget shows old data, try clearing the Google application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Google → Storage → Clear cache. This will not delete your personal data, but will update the widget's service files.
Setting up precise location and GPS
The most common problem is that the widget shows the weather of a neighboring city or airport, and not your street. This occurs due to inaccurate coordinates or using a network location instead of a satellite location. To solve this problem, you need to go to the geolocation settings.
Open Settings your Samsung Galaxy and find the item Location. Make sure the switch is activated. Next, click on Improve accuracy (or Mode). Here you need to select an option High accuracythat uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
| Operating mode | Accuracy | Battery consumption | Determination speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| High accuracy | Maximum (up to several meters) | High | Fast |
| Battery saving | Average (for towers and Wi-Fi) | Low | Medium |
| GPS only | High (satellites only) | Medium | Slow (may not work indoors) |
After switching mode, recommended Reload the weather widget by pulling it down with your finger. If accuracy does not improve, check to see if manual city selection is enabled in the weather app itself. In the widget settings there should be a checkmark Use current location.
You should also pay attention to application permissions. Go to Settings → Applications, find your weather application (Samsung Weather or Google) and select Permissions. Make sure that Location is selected for Allow always or Allow only when used, but not Ask every time.
The "High accuracy" mode is required to automatically switch the widget when traveling to other cities.
Third-party applications and custom widgets
If standard solutions seem boring or insufficiently informative to you, the store Google Play offers thousands of alternatives. Popular services, such as Yandex.Weather, Gismeteo or Weather Underground, often have their own unique widgets with animation and additional data.
Installing a third-party widget follows the same scheme: through the desktop widget menu. However, after installing such a widget, you must open the application itself, enter your address and set up synchronization. Without initial settings in the application, the widget on the screen may remain blank.
- 🌪️ Yandex.Weather: famous for the accuracy of the minute-by-minute precipitation forecast (Meteoum).
- 🌧️ Gismeteo: provides detailed maps and data on magnetic storms.
- 🎨 Overcast: offers beautiful minimalistic widgets for design lovers.
The use of third-party widgets may affect the battery life of the device, especially if they use live wallpapers or complex animation. Optimization batteries in this case, it may be necessary to add the application to exceptions so that the system does not “kill” the widget update process.
When choosing a third-party application, pay attention to the requested permissions. If a simple weather widget requires access to your contacts or microphone, this is a reason to think about security. Trust only trusted developers with a high rating.
Solution and troubleshooting
Even with proper configuration, failures may occur. The widget may disappear, stop updating, or show a network error. Most often, the problem lies in the power saving settings Samsung, which aggressively limit background processes.
To fix this, go to Settings → Device care → Battery → Background restrictions. Find your weather app in the list and make sure it's not in the Sleeping or Deep Sleep list. It is better to add it to the section Never sleep.
⚠️ Attention: Adding an application to the "Never Sleep" list will increase battery consumption, but ensures that the widget is updated in a timely manner.
Another reason for failures may be a full system cache. If the widget is not displayed correctly (black square, distorted graphics), try changing the screen scale or theme. Some themes Galaxy Store may not have drawn elements for standard widgets.
In extreme cases, resetting the widget settings helps. Remove the widget from the screen, restart your phone and add it again. This will force the initialization process and request new permissions.
Why did the widget disappear after a system update?
After major Android or One UI updates, the system may reset the widget layout. This is normal behavior. Just re-add the widget through the desktop editing menu.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the weather widget show the wrong city?
Most likely, automatic geolocation is not enabled in the weather application settings, or you manually set the city. Open the widget settings (long press) and select the option to update by current location. Also check if GPS is enabled in the notification shade.
How to make the widget background transparent?
Transparency depends on the theme and version of One UI. Try long pressing on the widget and selecting "Change Style" or "Transparency". If there is no such option, the transparency may depend on the selected desktop wallpaper.
Is it possible to display the weather on the locked screen?
Yes, to do this you need to go to Settings → Lock screen → Widgets (or "Clock Style"). There you can add a weather widget, which will be visible immediately when you turn on the screen, without requiring unlocking.
Why does the widget not update without Wi-Fi?
Check your mobile traffic settings. The weather app may have limited background data transfer. Go to Settings → Applications → Weather → Mobile data and enable background transfer.