Android widgets are mini, interactive app views that display real-time information on your home screen without opening the full app. Adding them is the standard method to get quick access to information, like weather or calendar events, at a glance.
What are Android widgets?
Widgets are small, interactive app views that display real-time information directly on your home screen, based on RemoteViews technology. They fall into three categories: Information widgets display data like the weather, Collection widgets show multiple items such as emails or photos, and Control widgets offer quick functions like music playback controls. Because they use RemoteViews, widgets have limitations on complexity and cannot support all layouts or custom views, but they are designed to be flexible and resize to fit various screen sizes.
How to add a widget to your home screen
Adding a widget to your home screen is a universal process on Android phones and tablets. You want this because it lets you see key information without opening an app, saving you time and effort.
- Touch and hold an empty space on your Home screen.
- From the menu that appears, tap "Widgets".
- Browse or search for the app that contains the widget you want.
- Touch and hold the desired widget, then drag it to your preferred location on the Home screen.
- Lift your finger to place the widget.
Some widgets may automatically open a settings page for initial configuration immediately after being placed on the Home screen.
How to resize and customize a widget
You can make widgets fit your home screen layout perfectly. To resize a widget, touch and hold it, then lift your finger; if resizable, an outline with dots or a blue box will appear, which you can drag to adjust its size. You want this because it lets you prioritize the information that matters most by giving it more space. Many widgets offer customization options, such as background color, transparency, or specific shortcuts, which can often be accessed by touching and holding the widget, then tapping "Settings" or "Widget settings".
How to add widgets to your lock screen
Lock screen widgets were reintroduced to Android, initially on Pixel Tablets in 2024, and later on Pixel phones with the Android 16 QPR2 update in December 2025. You want this because it gives you instant access to information without even unlocking your device. To enable lock screen widgets on Pixel phones, navigate to Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen, then toggle on "Widgets on lock screen". On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can add widgets to the Lock screen by touching and holding the Lock screen, then tapping "+ Widgets". All widgets are compatible with the lock screen widget experience, but for the best display, they should support dynamic color and dynamic resizing.
How to stack widgets on Samsung phones
On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can stack multiple widgets on the Home screen. You want this because it saves space while keeping multiple tools accessible with a simple swipe. To create a stack, touch and hold a widget, tap "Create stack," and then add other widgets. You can then swipe left or right on the stack to switch between them.
Do widgets drain your battery?
While some older or poorly optimized widgets could historically contribute to battery drain due to constant updates, modern Android and widget design guidelines aim to minimize this impact. You want this because it means you can confidently use well-reviewed widgets without worrying about your battery life. As long as you choose widgets from reputable developers, the impact on battery is negligible in modern Android versions.
