The best widget app for iPhone depends on what you want on your screens: photos of people you love, shortcuts that save taps, or a matching aesthetic. Check which widget sizes it offers, whether it works on the Lock Screen and what's locked behind an upgrade. Nine apps follow in no particular order, plus setup tips.
Widgets turned the iPhone Home Screen from a grid of icons into something you can design. Apple's own widgets cover the basics, such as weather, calendar and photos, while third-party apps add custom styles, social widgets you share with friends and launchers that open apps straight from the Lock Screen.
The nine apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from widget makers to photo-sharing and launcher apps. Each description comes from the app's App Store listing or own website, re-checked today. If you want a widget for your Pinterest boards too, my guide to adding a Pinterest widget walks through it.
iPhone widget apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or App Store listing describes a free app, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Most widget apps are free to download, with extra themes or sizes in a subscription.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launcher with Multiple Widgets | Launcher widgets | Shortcuts to contacts and links | Yes |
| Lock Launcher | Lock Screen launcher | Opening apps from the Lock Screen | Yes |
| Locket Widget | Photo sharing widget | Friends' photos on your Home Screen | Yes |
| LockFlow | Lock Screen widgets | Custom Lock Screen shortcuts | Yes |
| MoYo | Widgets and wallpapers | Matching widgets and wallpapers | Yes |
| Photo Widget Simple | Photo widget | A rotating photo on your screen | Yes |
| Top Widgets | Themes and widgets | Full aesthetic Home Screen themes | Yes |
| Widgetable | Social widgets | Couples and friends widgets | Yes |
| Widgetsmith | Widget maker | Designing your own widgets | Yes |
Nine widget apps for iPhone
Launcher with Multiple Widgets
Best for: Power users who want one widget full of shortcuts to people, apps and websites they open daily.
Lock Launcher
Best for: Anyone who wants to open the camera, a note or a shortcut straight from the Lock Screen.
Locket Widget
Best for: Close friends and couples who want each other's live photos to pop up on their Home Screens.
LockFlow
Best for: Tinkerers who want to build their own shortcuts and widgets for the Lock Screen.
MoYo
Best for: Style fans who want widgets and wallpapers designed to match each other in one go.
Photo Widget Simple
Best for: Parents and pet owners who want a best-loved photo or a rotating album on the Home Screen.
Top Widgets
Best for: Teens and creators chasing an aesthetic Home Screen with themes, icons and widgets in one set.
Widgetable
Best for: Long-distance couples who want shared pets, notes and countdowns on each other's Home Screens.
Widgetsmith
Best for: Organised users who want calendar, weather and photo widgets styled exactly how they like.
Try Apple's own widgets first
You may not need an app at all. Apple's support article explains that you add a widget by touching and holding the Home Screen until the apps jiggle, tapping Edit, then Add Widget, and that with iOS 16 or later you can add widgets to your Lock Screen too.
What that means for you: start with the built-in widgets and Smart Stacks, then add a third-party app only when you want a style, photo layout or shortcut that Apple's widgets don't offer.
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Widget makers, social widgets or launchers?
Widget makers let you design calendar, weather, clock and photo widgets with your own fonts and colours, which suits anyone building an aesthetic Home Screen. Social widgets show live photos, notes or shared pets from friends and partners. Launcher widgets put shortcuts to apps, contacts and websites on the Home Screen or Lock Screen, saving taps every day.
Many people combine a widget maker for looks with a launcher for speed.
Setting up a tidy Home Screen
- Decide on two or three colours for your theme.
- Move apps you rarely use into the App Library.
- Add one large widget for what you check most, such as your calendar.
- Stack similar widgets in a Smart Stack to save space.
- Add a launcher widget for apps and contacts you open daily.
- Live with the layout for a week before tweaking it.
Widget ideas worth trying
- A rotating photo album. Family, pets or holiday snaps.
- A countdown. To a trip, birthday or launch day.
- Tomorrow's calendar. See what's coming before you plan the evening.
- Quick contacts. One tap to call or message the people you speak to most.
When a widget won't update
If a widget looks stuck, open its app once, check Background App Refresh is on for it and remove and re-add the widget. Low Power Mode can also slow updates. My guide to Spotify not showing on the Lock Screen covers similar widget fixes. If nothing works, restart the phone; it's the dull fix, but it clears most stuck widgets, and it's worth checking for an iOS update while you're there.
Do you make an iPhone widget app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an iPhone widget app
Pick the app for the one thing you want your screen to do better. If it's looks, a widget maker is the place to start. If you want to feel closer to friends or a partner, a social widget app is lovely. If you want speed, a launcher widget saves more time than any theme.
Keep an eye on battery and privacy too. Widgets that refresh constantly or ask for wide access to photos and contacts deserve a second look, so grant only what each one needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best widget app for iPhone?
It depends on your goal: widget makers for custom looks, social widgets for friends and couples, launchers for shortcuts.
Are iPhone widget apps free?
Most are free to download, with extra themes, sizes or features in a subscription.
How do I add a widget to my iPhone?
Touch and hold the Home Screen until the apps jiggle, tap Edit, then Add Widget, choose a size and tap Add Widget.
Can I add widgets to the Lock Screen?
Yes. Apple says you can add widgets to your Lock Screen with iOS 16 or later.
Do widgets drain the battery?
Most use little power, but widgets that refresh often can use more. Remove any you don't need.
Can I share a widget with a friend?
Yes. Social widget apps show friends' photos or notes on each other's Home Screens.
