Can Widgets Make Your iPad Easier to Use? Absolutely!

Introduction

Managing widgets on the iPad is an easy way to customize your Home Screen and make important information available at a glance. Widgets allow you to view updates—such as weather, reminders, or calendar events—without opening an app. In this video, I walk through how to install, customize, move, and manage widgets so your iPad works the way you need it to.

Install Widgets From an App Icon

One of the quickest ways to add a widget is directly from an app’s icon. If an app supports widgets, pressing and holding its icon brings up an option to install a widget. You’ll also notice a dotted outline that indicates widget support. Once selected, the widget appears on your Home Screen, ready to be placed wherever you’d like. This method is fast and convenient when you know exactly which app’s widget you want to add.

Resize a Widget

After placing a widget, you may want it to show more—or less—information. Many widgets offer multiple size options. To resize one, you simply long-press the widget and choose the Resize option. Larger widgets help you see more details at a glance, while smaller ones keep your Home Screen clean and compact.

Edit a Widget

Some widgets can be personalized to show different information depending on your needs. By long-pressing a widget and choosing Edit, you may be able to customize what it displays—such as selecting which calendar to show, which notes appear, or what type of data the widget uses. Not all widgets support editing, but when available, it gives you more control over what appears on your Home Screen.

Move a Widget

To move a widget, long-press it until your apps and widgets enter “jiggly mode.” From here, you can drag the widget to another location on the same screen or place it on a different page entirely. This allows you to fine-tune your Home Screen layout as your needs change.

Remove a Widget

Removing widgets works just like removing apps from the Home Screen: long-press to enter jiggly mode, tap the minus button, and confirm. Removing a widget does not remove the app—it simply removes the widget from view.

Not All Apps Support Widgets

If you long-press an app icon and don’t see an option to install a widget, it simply means that app doesn’t offer widget support. This is normal. Developers choose whether to create widgets for their apps, and many still rely solely on traditional app views.

Add Widgets Through Jiggly Mode

Another way to add widgets is through the main widget gallery. Enter jiggly mode by long-pressing an empty area of the Home Screen and tapping the plus button in the top-left. This opens a full library of available widgets, grouped by app and function. You can preview each widget size before adding it, making this the best way to browse all options in one place.

Stack Widgets

Stacking lets you place multiple widgets of the same size in a single space. To create a stack, enter jiggly mode and drag one widget onto another. Then swipe up or down on the stack to cycle between them. This keeps your Home Screen neat while giving you access to several widgets in one location.

Add Multiple Widgets from the Same App

Some apps offer multiple widget types. For example, the Reminders app may offer a list view, a summary, or a specific task list widget. You can add as many versions as you need by selecting them from the widget gallery. This allows you to tailor your Home Screen with exactly the information you want.

Change Stack Order

If you’re using a stack, you can customize the order of widgets within it. Long-press the stack, choose Edit Stack, and drag widgets to rearrange them. The widget at the top appears first, so you can prioritize what you want to see when you swipe through your Home Screen.

Wrap Up

Widgets give you a powerful way to personalize your iPad and stay informed without opening apps. Once you know how to add them, resize them, edit them, stack them, and adjust their order, you can design a layout that fits the way you work every day. They’re quick to manage and simple to update, making them one of the most useful tools for customizing your iPad.