Where to find and add widgets on Samsung devices
Widgets on Samsung phones and tablets live on your home screen or lock screen, and you add them by long-pressing an empty area and selecting from your device's widget library. The exact steps depend on whether you're using a phone or tablet, and which version of Samsung's interface you have, but the basic process is the same across all recent Samsung devices.
Start by finding an empty spot on your home screen—swipe left or right until you see blank space. Press and hold that empty area for about two seconds until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen. You'll see options including "Widgets" (sometimes labeled "Add widget"). Tap that option and you'll see a list of all available widgets organized by app.
On Samsung tablets, the process is identical. On some older Samsung phones running Android 11 or earlier, you may see a "+" icon in the top corner of the home screen instead—tap that to reach the widget menu. Either way, once you're in the widget list, find the one you want, tap and hold it, and drag it to your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press an empty area of your home screen, then tap "Widgets" from the menu that appears.
- Scroll through the widget list, find the one you want, and drag it onto your home screen to place it.
- Most widgets can be resized by long-pressing them and dragging the corners or edges.
- Lock screen widgets are added the same way—long-press your lock screen and tap "Widgets" or "Add widget".
- If a widget isn't showing up, the app it belongs to may need to be installed or updated first.
Understanding what widgets are available on your device
The widgets you see depend on which apps are installed on your phone or tablet. Samsung devices come with built-in widgets for the Clock, Calendar, Weather, and Samsung Notes. Any third-party app you install may also offer widgets—Gmail, Google Maps, Spotify, and most social media apps include them.
To see all available widgets, open the widget menu and scroll through the full list. Each app that offers widgets will have its name listed, and below it you'll see thumbnails of the different widget sizes or styles that app provides. Some apps offer only one widget; others offer several variations.
If you're looking for a specific widget and don't see it in the list, the app may not have a widget version, or the app may not be installed yet. You can install new apps through the Google Play Store, and once installed, their widgets will automatically appear in your widget menu.
Resizing and moving widgets on your home screen
Once a widget is on your home screen, you can make it larger or smaller to suit your needs. Long-press the widget until it's highlighted, then look for small handles or dots around its edges. Drag these handles outward to make the widget bigger or inward to make it smaller. Not all widgets support resizing—some have fixed dimensions—but most do.
To move a widget to a different location on your home screen, long-press it and drag it to where you want it. You can move it left or right across your current screen, or drag it to an adjacent screen. If you want to remove a widget entirely, long-press it and look for a "Remove" option in the menu that appears.
Adding widgets to your lock screen
Samsung devices running Android 12 or newer allow you to add widgets directly to your lock screen. These are smaller, more minimal versions of regular widgets—they show quick information like the time, weather, or upcoming calendar events without unlocking your phone.
To add a lock screen widget, long-press your lock screen (not the home screen) until the customization menu appears. Tap "Widgets" or "Add widget" and you'll see a list of lock screen-compatible widgets. These are usually simpler than their home screen counterparts, but they're useful for glancing at information without unlocking your device.
Lock screen widgets work the same way as home screen widgets—you can move them around and remove them by long-pressing and selecting the remove option. The number of lock screen widgets you can add depends on your device model and available space.
Troubleshooting widgets that won't appear or work
If you're trying to add a widget and it's not showing up in your widget list, the most common reason is that the app isn't installed. Open the Google Play Store, search for the app, and install it. Once installed, close and reopen your widget menu—the new widget should now appear.
If a widget is on your home screen but isn't showing information (like a weather widget showing no temperature, or a calendar widget showing no events), try these steps: long-press the widget and look for a settings or gear icon. Tap it and make sure the widget has permission to access the information it needs. You may also need to go to your phone's Settings, find the app, and grant it permission to access location, calendar, or other data.
If a widget keeps crashing or disappearing, try removing it and reinstalling it. Long-press the widget, select "Remove," then go back to your widget menu and add it again. If the problem continues, the app may need an update—open the Google Play Store, search for the app, and tap "Update" if available.
Organizing multiple widgets and creating widget stacks
If you add many widgets to your home screen, you can organize them into stacks to save space. A widget stack is a folder-like container that holds multiple widgets—you swipe through them to see each one. Not all Samsung devices support widget stacks, but most phones running Android 12 or newer do.
To create a widget stack, add two widgets to the same spot on your home screen. Your device will ask if you want to create a stack. Tap "Yes" and the widgets will be combined into a single stack. You can then swipe left and right on the stack to cycle through the widgets inside it. Long-press the stack to add more widgets to it or remove ones you don't want.
Widget stacks are useful if you want quick access to several pieces of information without filling your entire home screen. For example, you might stack a weather widget, a calendar widget, and a news widget in one location, then swipe between them as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add widgets to multiple home screens?
Yes. Swipe left or right to move between your home screens, then long-press an empty area on any screen and add widgets the same way. You can have different widgets on each screen, or duplicate the same widget across multiple screens if you want.
Why is a widget I want not showing up in my widget list?
The app that provides the widget may not be installed on your device. Open the Google Play Store, search for the app by name, and install it. Once installed, the widget will appear in your widget menu. Some older apps may not have widget versions at all.
Can I customize what information a widget shows?
Many widgets have settings you can adjust. Long-press the widget on your home screen and look for a settings icon (usually a gear symbol). Tap it to change things like location for weather widgets, which calendar to display, or which email account to show. Not all widgets offer customization options.
Do widgets use a lot of battery?
Widgets use minimal battery on their own, but some—like weather or news widgets that refresh frequently—may use slightly more power than others. If you notice battery drain, try removing widgets that update often, or adjust their refresh settings if the widget offers that option.
What's the difference between a home screen widget and a lock screen widget?
Lock screen widgets are smaller and simpler, designed to show quick information without unlocking your phone. Home screen widgets are larger and more detailed. Lock screen widgets are only available on newer Samsung devices (Android 12 and up), while home screen widgets work on all Samsung phones and tablets.