How to add widgets to your home screen [Android 101]

Widgets are what make Android stand out from the rest. They are “at a glance” views of applications that sit on your home screen. These are handy for viewing information quickly without the need to open the application. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to add widgets to your home screen.

KEEP IN MIND: Not all Android phones are the same. Some will have more steps required to complete each task, others will have less. At AndroidGuys, we will do our best to walk you through each task as well as we can.

Since Android devices differ in many ways, there are two main methods to add a widget.

Method 1: In the app drawer

First, navigate to your app drawer. You should see two categories: Apps or widgets. Swipe over until you are in the ‘widgets’ category. Once there, find the widget you’d like to add. Press and hold the widget, and you’ll be shown your homescreen. Move the widget wherever you’d like, and let it go. You’ve just created a widget!

Method 2: Long-press

If you enter the app drawer and don’t see a ‘widgets’ category, go back to your home screen. Press and hold on an empty spot on your homes screen, and you should see a button called “widgets”. Click that, and you’ll see a big list of widgets. Find the one you’d like to add, press and hold it, and move it around until you find the spot you’d like to keep it.

Resizing widgets

Press and hold the widget you’d like to resize, then let go. You should see a blue or gray box surround the widget. Move one of the dots up, down, left or right to resize it.

Removing widgets

Press and hold the widget you’d like to remove from your home screen. There should be the word “Remove” on the top of your screen. Move the widget over the “Remove” option until it turns red. Drop the widget, and it has been removed!

Still having trouble? Head to the comments and we will do our best to help you out! If there is anything you would like to suggest to AndroidGuys or to any other readers, feel free to use the comment section below!