iOS 8 Widgets: How to Use Them on iPhone & iPad

Accessing and Utilizing Widgets on iOS Devices

With the release of iOS 8, users of iPhones and iPads gained the capability to utilize widgets. Many widgets are pre-installed on your device, though they are initially deactivated.

The process of enabling and using these existing widgets is straightforward and enhances device functionality.

Widget Placement and Access

The implementation of widgets on iOS differs from that of Android. On iOS, widgets are not displayed directly on the home screen.

Instead, they are integrated within the notification center, providing convenient access from any application with a simple swipe gesture.

This centralized location allows for quick information glances and interactions without navigating to specific apps.

Widgets are accessed through the notification center.
A swipe gesture from any app reveals the notification center and widgets.
This differs from Android’s home screen widget placement.

Widgets offer a streamlined way to view information and perform actions, enhancing the user experience on iOS devices.

Understanding iOS Widgets

On iOS, widgets are always integrated within the application they correspond to. An example of this is the Evernote application, which provides access to an Evernote widget.

Separate installation of widgets isn't necessary; they are automatically available when you install the parent app. Installing an app that supports widgets is all that's required to gain access to them.

Widget Functionality Examples

Consider Evernote, which offers a widget for rapid note creation. Alternatively, the Yahoo! Weather app provides a weather widget featuring photographic backgrounds.

News applications frequently include widgets displaying the latest headlines. Productivity tools may offer widgets for streamlined task management.

Practical Applications of Widgets

Airline applications can leverage widgets to showcase upcoming flight details, and even boarding passes, directly on your screen.

The range of widget capabilities is expected to expand as developers integrate new and innovative widget types into their applications in the future.

Activating Widgets on iOS Devices

For related information, consider exploring 8 essential navigation techniques for iPad users. To begin utilizing widgets, access the Notification Center by swiping down from the top edge of your device’s screen.

Within the Today view, locate and tap the Edit button situated at the bottom. This will allow you to customize your widget arrangement.

Users familiar with iOS 7 will observe the elimination of the previously perplexing "Missed" tab. The interface is now streamlined with only two distinct tabs: the Today view and a Notifications view displaying recent alerts.

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A comprehensive list of your installed widgets will be presented. Pre-installed widgets include standard Today view elements such as Today Summary, Traffic Conditions, Calendar, Reminders, and Tomorrow Summary.

Below these, you’ll find widgets originating from applications currently installed on your device.

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To activate a widget, tap the "+" button positioned next to its name. Subsequently, you can rearrange the order of your widgets by touching and dragging the handles located on the right side of the screen.

To remove a widget from the list, simply tap the "-" button. This will de-activate the widget from the Today view.

Certain widgets provided by Apple cannot be re-ordered. However, they can be removed entirely if they are not desired. For instance, the Today Summary widget consistently appears at the top of the Today view unless it is removed.

It is important to note that once removed, the Today Summary widget will not be visible, and cannot be repositioned lower in the list.

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Utilizing iPhone and iPad Widgets

Widgets are readily available across your iOS device, including the home screen, within applications, and even on the lock screen. Access is achieved by swiping downwards from the screen’s upper edge, which reveals the notification center.

All widgets are displayed within the Today view, maintaining the customized order you’ve previously established.

It’s important to note that these widgets differ from those found on Android. Unlike Android, widgets cannot be directly positioned on the iPhone home screen.

Furthermore, the iOS system does not support multiple, swipeable widget screens.

Interaction with widgets varies depending on their design. Some widgets feature buttons for rapid access to specific app functions, such as Evernote’s note creation tools.

Alternatively, tapping a widget will directly launch the corresponding application.

Do Widgets Impact Battery Life?

Widgets are often questioned regarding their power consumption. Specifically, users want to know if they contribute to significant battery drain on their devices.

It's important to understand that widgets operate and update information only when the notification center is accessed. They are not designed to utilize "background refresh" capabilities.

For instance, a weather widget, such as the Yahoo! Weather application, does not continuously check for updates throughout the day. This design choice inherently makes them more efficient in terms of battery usage.

Consequently, when widgets are not actively being viewed, they do not consume battery power. This contrasts with applications that constantly run processes in the background.

A substantial decrease in battery life solely due to widgets is unlikely. However, excessive use could potentially have an effect.

Adding a large number of widgets – perhaps twenty – that require frequent data updates and constant access to the notification center might lead to increased battery drain.

Widget Limitations

Currently, widgets are restricted to the Today View within the notification center. Unlike some other mobile platforms, there are no widgets available for the home screen or lock screen.

Furthermore, widgets cannot be resized or repositioned horizontally. This limitation appears somewhat impractical, especially when considering the larger display area of an iPad.

These constraints define the current functionality and scope of widgets on the platform, differentiating them from widget implementations found on Android devices.