Interactive Widgets on iPhone: How to Use Them

Interactive widgets let you get things done right from your Home Screen or Lock Screen without opening the app. You can check off a reminder, play or pause music, control smart home devices, and more. This guide shows you how to add, use, and customize interactive widgets on your iPhone.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 17 or later (interactive widgets were introduced in iOS 17).
Apps that support interactive widgets – most Apple apps (Reminders, Music, Home, Podcasts, Shortcuts) and many third-party apps have them.
Your iPhone unlocked to interact with widgets on the Home Screen (Lock Screen widgets become interactive only after you unlock with Face ID or Touch ID).

Step-by-Step

Add a widget to your Home Screen: Touch and hold an empty area on your Home Screen until the apps jiggle, then tap the + button in the top-left corner. Alternatively, touch and hold any app icon and choose Edit Home Screen.
Find an interactive widget: In the widget gallery, scroll through the list or search for an app like Reminders, Music, or Home. Tap an app to see its available widget sizes.
Choose a size and add it: Swipe through the size options (small, medium, large). Some widgets have multiple styles – pick one that shows interactive elements like checkboxes, buttons, or sliders. Tap Add Widget, then tap Done.
Place the widget: Drag the widget to your preferred spot on the Home Screen, then tap Done in the top-right corner.
Interact with the widget: Tap directly on the interactive element. For example, in the Reminders widget, tap the circle next to a task to mark it complete. In the Music widget, tap the play/pause button. In the Home widget, tap a light or switch to toggle it.
Add a widget to the Lock Screen: Press and hold the Lock Screen, tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen. Tap the + Add Widgets area (usually below the clock). Search for an app, choose a widget, and tap it to add. Note: Lock Screen widgets are not interactive until you unlock your iPhone – after unlocking, they become tappable.
Edit widget settings: Touch and hold the widget on your Home Screen, then choose Edit Widget (if available). You can change the widget’s focus, the list it shows, or other parameters depending on the app.
Stack widgets for more options: Drag one widget on top of another to create a Smart Stack. Swipe through the stack to find the interactive widget you need. You can also let your iPhone rotate the stack based on your usage.

Common Mistakes

Tapping the widget instead of the button: On a small widget, it’s easy to tap the background and open the app instead of hitting the small interactive control. Tap precisely on the checkbox, button, or slider.
Expecting all widgets to be interactive: Many widgets are still display-only – they open the app when tapped. Only widgets from apps that have adopted the interactive API will respond to taps on their controls.
Lock Screen widgets not responding: You must unlock your iPhone before tapping a Lock Screen widget’s control. If you tap while locked, it may just open the app or do nothing.
Forgetting to update iOS: If you don’t see any interactive elements, your iPhone may be running iOS 16 or earlier. Check Settings > General > Software Update.
Using a widget that requires a specific app state: Some widgets, like Music, only show controls when audio is playing. If nothing is playing, the controls may be grayed out or hidden.

Tips

Use the Reminders widget for quick task management: Place a medium or large Reminders widget on your Home Screen to see your today list and check off tasks without opening the app.
Create a Home widget for smart devices: If you have HomeKit accessories, add a Home widget to control lights, thermostats, and locks with a single tap.
Combine with Shortcuts: The Shortcuts app lets you create custom actions that appear as interactive buttons in a widget. For example, a “Start Work” button that plays a playlist and turns on your desk light.
Use Smart Stacks to save space: Stack multiple interactive widgets in the same spot and swipe to the one you need. Your iPhone can also suggest the right widget based on time and location.
Edit the widget after adding: Many widgets let you choose which list, album, or scene they control. Long-press the widget, tap Edit Widget, and select the desired option.

Troubleshooting

Widget isn’t interactive: First, make sure your iPhone is on iOS 17 or later. Then check if the app itself supports interactive widgets – not all do. Try removing the widget and adding it again, or restart your iPhone.
Tap does nothing: If you’re on the Lock Screen, unlock your iPhone first. On the Home Screen, make sure you’re tapping the actual control, not the widget background. Also, some widgets require the app to be installed and logged in.
Widget shows “Cannot Connect” or “No Data”: This usually means the app needs to be opened once to refresh its data. Open the app, wait a few seconds, then return to the Home Screen.
Widget is stuck on old information: Interactive widgets update in real time, but if they don’t, try toggling Airplane Mode on and off, or restart your iPhone. If the issue persists, delete the widget and add it again.
Lock Screen widget not showing controls: Some Lock Screen widgets are not interactive by design – they only show information. Check the app’s widget options to see if there’s an interactive variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which iPhone models support interactive widgets?

All iPhones that support iOS 17 or later, which includes iPhone XS and newer models. Interactive widgets work on both the Home Screen and Lock Screen (after unlock).

Can I make my own interactive widget?

Yes, using the Shortcuts app. You can create a shortcut that performs an action, then add it as a widget. The widget will show a button that runs the shortcut when tapped.

Why do some widgets only open the app when I tap them?

Those widgets are not interactive – they are display-only. The app developer chose not to implement interactive elements, or the widget is showing information that doesn’t require action.

Do interactive widgets work on the Lock Screen?

Yes, but only after you unlock your iPhone. While locked, tapping a widget control will either do nothing or prompt you to unlock. After unlocking, the controls become tappable.

Can I add a widget to my Home Screen from the App Library?

No, the App Library only shows app icons. To add a widget, you need to go to the Home Screen and use the + button in edit mode.

How do I remove an interactive widget?

Touch and hold the widget, tap Remove Widget, then confirm. You can also enter jiggle mode by holding an empty area, then tap the minus sign on the widget.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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