One of the biggest new features of iOS 14 is Home Screen widgets, which provide information from apps at a glance. The widgets can be pinned to the Home Screen in various spots and sizes, allowing for many different layouts.
When the iOS 14 beta was first released in June, widgets were limited to Apple's own apps like Calendar and Weather, but several third-party developers have begun to test the feature for their own apps. As shown in our screenshots below, this includes:
TestFlight slots are limited, so some apps may be full.
Keep in mind that Home Screen widgets are fairly limited in scope. This is because Apple only allows the widgets to present read-only information, with interactive elements such as scrolling elements or switches not allowed, presumably due to battery life considerations. Tapping on a widget opens the corresponding app.
Also be aware that, as of the fourth developer beta of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple says that all widgets must be rebuilt using the latest SDK and will not run on previous beta versions. This has temporarily broken some widgets, such as the Aviary widget, which is currently displaying new tweets on a very delayed basis.
Users interested in trying out these widgets can download Apple's free TestFlight app, tap on the TestFlight links above using an iPhone or iPad, and download a beta version of each app. Not all of the widgets are fully polished yet, so expect some glitches.
Monday September 15, 2025 12:00 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Update 10:06 a.m.: iOS 26 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking!
Today's the day! Apple is about to release iOS 26, which will deliver the biggest redesign since iOS 7 and bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at last week's iPhone event that...
Monday September 15, 2025 10:56 am PDT by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal.
A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.
Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources,...
Sunday September 14, 2025 8:45 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple's annual September event is now in the rearview mirror, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 set to launch this Friday, September 19.
As always, there is more to come. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release many products in the...
Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.
The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware.
With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
Monday September 15, 2025 5:45 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Following three months of beta testing, iOS 26 was released today, September 15. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, and it is available to install via the Settings app, under General → Software Update.
Below, we have highlighted eight new features included in iOS 26. Even more new features and changes are outlined in Apple's release notes for the update.
Some of ...
Friday September 12, 2025 7:58 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 lineup and ultra-thin iPhone Air in stores on Friday, September 19, and the company has already shown off the new devices at its fall event, which ran with the the tagline "Awe dropping."
The iPhone 17 series brings a host of new features and enhancements. Here's a rundown of the biggest upgrades and changes:
iPhone 17
Display Changes
The iPhone...
I use widgets for Streaks and Things, both of which are essentially useless under the new format. Checking off a quick To Do in a widget or marking a streak as completed, were the entire purpose of these widgets. If I want to open the app, I'll just hit the app icon.
Some widgets still make sense based on the real time information they provide but I can see the usefulness of a large segment of widgets being deprecated.
I've got the Parcel one (fantastic app), although the Widget isn't showing up for me. I assume it's meant to be listed in with the other Apple widgets?
Let’s just say that I am whelmed by these widgets. The only one I remotely find useful is the batteries widget, which sits on my secondary Home Screen all by itself.
Let’s just say that I am whelmed by these widgets. The only one I remotely find useful is the batteries widget, which sits on my secondary Home Screen all by itself.
I felt the same, although as I adjust how I use apps and as apps add these, I can see the users now. With my new job I'm using my calendar a lot more, and that widget is good. The activity one isn't bad for my fitness too. I can envision good ones for news apps, Slack, MyFitnessPal, Pintrest.
I think this will be like original apps. When the AppStore came along we were arsing about with silly drinking beer apps. It took a wee while for app makers to fully get to grips with what was possible. I think they'll eventually become useful with the third party developers.
Android still has Apple beat by a light year when it comes to widgets. I’m glad Apple is dipping their toe in the water here but lets be real, interactive widgets are fun and actually useful, especially ones with switches/toggles.
I still remember when I first powered on my EVO 4G and the HTC weather/clock widget activated. It had beautiful animations depending the conditions outside.
I know some toggles can be included in the Control Center now but if we’re going to have widgets it’d be nice to include the ability to have them on the home screen too. There are also some widgets that could act like mini versions of the app itself which is also neat...or would be if/when Apple allows it.
