How to Customize Widgets on iPadOS

For Android users, widgets have been a common place on the Home screen for several years. However, the situation is not the same for iPhone and iPad users. Apple recently introduced widgets for iPadOS and they bring a distinctive look to your iPad home screen. Most importantly, they let you see the information at a glance. All you have to do is place them strategically so that a simple swipe shows you the information you’re looking for.

However, when it comes to customizing widgets, Apple has imposed several limitations. For example, you cannot play with the size of the widget, nor place it anywhere on the home screen. That being said, you can choose from several sizes and styles available.

At the same time, you can fill the home screen of your Apple iPad with widgets displaying the information you think is important. All you need to do is unlock the screen.

Now that we’ve got that sorted out, let’s take a look at how to add and customize widgets on iPadOS.

How to add widgets on iPad

Before you can customize a widget, you need to add it to your iPad screen. Like any process on your iPad, it’s straightforward and takes barely a minute.

Step 1: To do this, tap an empty area on the Home screen until the apps jiggle. Next, tap the little plus sign in the top left corner.

2nd step: On the Widget page, choose from a popular widget on the right. Or, you can select one of the categories and choose a widget from the status bar.

Step 3: Now long press on the one you like and drag it to where you want it displayed.

Alternatively, you can press the Add Widget button.

How to customize widgets on iPadOS

Compared to Android smartphones, there aren’t a lot of customization options for widgets on iPadOS. For now, you can select the size or change the source of the widget to some extent.

Now that that’s settled, let’s see how to achieve it.

Step 1: Once you’ve placed the widget on the home screen, long press it and select Edit.

If it’s a widget for an app like Gmail, the Edit option lets you edit the account. Or, if it’s a battery widget, you won’t see any editing options. In short, it all depends on the application.

Second, some widgets like Drums, Music, and Photos have different styles. For example, you can choose between a large rectangular widget or a small square widget for photos.

Unfortunately, you cannot change the size or style directly from the home screen and you will have to add the widget again.

2nd step: To change the size, follow the steps to add a widget again. Only this time, swipe the widget styles as shown below. Usually widgets that have styes available will have a row of dots.

All you have to do is swipe left and choose a style from the list. And that’s all.

Step 3: To change the location of widgets, long press and drag them.

Unlike Android smartphones and tablets, you cannot move to any position you want on your iPad. And that greatly limits the personalization process.

For now, if the first row has widgets, you can swap their positions only on the first row. The system will not allow you to place the widget on the last row. Pity.

On the other hand, if the screen is filled with apps to the last row, you can place the widget pretty much anywhere.

Customize smart batteries

Ultimately, if you don’t want to waste precious screen space on multiple widgets, it’s time to add a Smart Stack. These stacks are collections of widgets that (you guessed it) are stacked on top of each other.

Step 1: Once you’ve added the Smart Stack, long press it and select Edit Stack. Now swipe down on the stack to land on the widget you want to remove. Now just hit the minus button.

At the same time, you can press the buttons as shown above to turn on / off widget rotation and widget suggestions.

2nd step: Then swipe to find the widget you want to customize and long press on it. Tap the Edit Widget option and then edit the information as per your preference.

For example, you can choose which countries you want to display in the Clock or Weather widget (under Batteries).

Step 3: To rearrange the widgets, long press the widget and drag it up / down.

Information in a Gist

The ability to add multiple widgets to the different home screens of your iPad gives you the flexibility to design the screens according to your preferences. If you are easily distracted, you can create a separate screen for work and entertainment and entertainment. This is especially true if you often work from your iPad.