How to Use Widgetsmith on iOS to Create a Custom Home Screen Widget

Widgetsmith lets you create a custom widget in its app, then add a Widgetsmith widget to your iPhone Home Screen and connect it to that saved design. There are two parts: save the design in Widgetsmith, then add the app’s widget in iOS and select the saved version. Labels can vary slightly by app and iOS release.

Before you start

Download Widgetsmith from the App Store. Most core tools are free; some themes and features are optional in-app purchases. On iPhone, common widget sizes are small, medium, and large, but the available sizes depend on the widget type. Widgetsmith may request Photos, Calendar, or location access for specific content; allow only what your chosen widget needs.

Create and save a Widgetsmith design

1. Install and open Widgetsmith

Search the App Store for Widgetsmith, confirm the app name and icon, install it, and open it. If you already have it, update the app to see its latest widget gallery.

2. Start a new widget

Open the Widgets screen and tap the plus or add control. Browse or search the gallery, then select a content type such as Calendar, Clock, Photo, Text, Weather, or Reminders. Current versions can filter widgets by type, size, and theme.

3. Choose the content

Open the widget settings and choose what it displays. A photo widget can use one picture or an album if that option appears; calendars and other types have their own settings. For a photo, choose the image and adjust its crop in the preview. Grant the permission the app needs to show the selected content.

4. Customize its appearance

Use the preview to adjust the controls available for that type, such as font, accent color, background, or artwork. Some styles are premium. Widgetsmith 8 refreshed its browsing and theme workflow; see the official Widgetsmith 8 overview.

5. Name and save the design

Give the widget a name you can recognize later, such as “Work Calendar.” Tap the name or Tap to Rename, enter the label, and save. Names help distinguish multiple Widgetsmith designs that use the same size.

Add the widget to your iPhone Home Screen

6. Open the iOS widget gallery

Go to the Home Screen page you want. Touch and hold an empty area until the icons jiggle. Tap Edit, then Add Widget, or use the + button if that is what your iOS version shows. Search for Widgetsmith and tap its result.

7. Pick a size and place the widget

Swipe through Widgetsmith’s size previews and choose the size used for your saved design. Tap Add Widget, drag it into position while the icons jiggle, and tap Done. Apple’s iPhone widget guide explains the standard add and move controls.

8. Select your saved design

Tap the new Widgetsmith widget. If it shows the wrong item, touch and hold it, choose Edit Widget, and select the name you saved. The preview should switch to that design. Finish by tapping outside the menu or tapping Done. Repeat for each additional Widgetsmith widget.

Fix common problems

• Wrong design: Open Edit Widget and pick the correct saved name. If it is missing, reopen Widgetsmith and make sure the design still exists.
• Gray or empty widget: Widgetsmith says this can happen when the configured content is inaccessible. Check that the design was not deleted and its required permission is allowed. For a photo, select the image again.
• Widgetsmith is missing from the gallery: Confirm the app is installed, open it once, then search again from Home Screen edit mode. If content still does not refresh, reopen the app or restart the iPhone.

For details on adding widgets, choosing a saved design, themes, and photo access, see the official Widgetsmith FAQ. iOS controls widget placement and size; Widgetsmith controls the content and appearance of its designs.