Widgetsmith
Widgetsmith lets users design custom widgets by choosing a type, size, and style, then place them on the home screen, lock screen, or Control Center with full control over fonts, colors, and themes.
The app that turned iPhone home screens into a design canvas, one widget at a time.
Widgetsmith is a widget customization app for iPhone and iPad, built by independent developer David Smith and released alongside iOS 14's introduction of home screen widgets in September 2020. It quickly became one of the most downloaded apps of that year, reaching the #1 spot on the App Store as customized home screens became a viral trend.
The app lets users build widgets from a wide range of types, including photos, clocks, weather, countdowns, activity tracking, and solar or lunar trackers. Each widget can be styled with custom fonts, colors, borders, and themes, and widgets can also be scheduled to change automatically at different times of day.
Widgetsmith works across the home screen, lock screen, and Control Center, and includes a wallpaper library to help match widget themes to a chosen background. With over 65 million downloads, it remains one of the most established tools in the widget customization category.
Apps are frequently updated and may change over time. While we aim to keep our reviews accurate and up to date, some information may become outdated or no longer reflect the current version.
Disclaimer ▽ (click open)
How to Use
Setting up a widget in Widgetsmith starts by choosing a size (small, medium, or large) and a type, such as photo, clock, weather, or countdown. From there, the app opens a customization screen where fonts, colors, borders, and backgrounds can be adjusted until the widget matches the desired look.
Once a widget is built, it needs to be added manually to the home screen or lock screen using Apple's standard widget placement process, then linked back to the specific widget created inside Widgetsmith. This step trips up some new users, since multiple widgets of the same size all pull from the same slot unless configured carefully.
A standout feature is time-based scheduling, which allows a single widget slot to automatically switch between different content throughout the day, for example showing weather in the morning and calendar events in the afternoon. The app also includes a wallpaper library with matching widget themes, so an entire home screen can be coordinated in one style.
Widgets can pull data from Apple Health, Photos, Apple Music, Calendars, and Reminders, with permissions managed through each respective app. Beyond widgets, Widgetsmith includes in-app tools such as a detailed weather view with air quality and pollen data, and a time zone converter.
Strongest Points:
✓ Exceptionally deep customization across fonts, colors, borders, and backgrounds for every widget type
✓ Time-based scheduling lets a single widget slot show different content throughout the day
✓ Core features are usable without paying, unlike many widget apps that paywall basic tools
✓ Wide range of widget types covering photos, weather, activity, clocks, and astronomy data
✓ Built by an established independent developer with a long history of consistent updates
Weaker Points:
✕ Tapping a widget opens Widgetsmith itself rather than a linked app, unless set up separately with Shortcuts
✕ Some users report widgets occasionally freezing or failing to update without deleting and rebuilding them
✕ The builder-first setup process can feel confusing to first-time users compared to simpler, preset-based widget apps
✕ Deeper theming and advanced widget types require a paid subscription
✕ Widgets are tied to the wallpaper theme in some setups, making it harder to run separate looks for different screens
How to Use
Setting up a widget in Widgetsmith starts by choosing a size (small, medium, or large) and a type, such as photo, clock, weather, or countdown. From there, the app opens a customization screen where fonts, colors, borders, and backgrounds can be adjusted until the widget matches the desired look.
Once a widget is built, it needs to be added manually to the home screen or lock screen using Apple's standard widget placement process, then linked back to the specific widget created inside Widgetsmith. This step trips up some new users, since multiple widgets of the same size all pull from the same slot unless configured carefully.
A standout feature is time-based scheduling, which allows a single widget slot to automatically switch between different content throughout the day, for example showing weather in the morning and calendar events in the afternoon. The app also includes a wallpaper library with matching widget themes, so an entire home screen can be coordinated in one style.
Widgets can pull data from Apple Health, Photos, Apple Music, Calendars, and Reminders, with permissions managed through each respective app. Beyond widgets, Widgetsmith includes in-app tools such as a detailed weather view with air quality and pollen data, and a time zone converter.
Strongest Points:
✓ Exceptionally deep customization across fonts, colors, borders, and backgrounds for every widget type
✓ Time-based scheduling lets a single widget slot show different content throughout the day
✓ Core features are usable without paying, unlike many widget apps that paywall basic tools
✓ Wide range of widget types covering photos, weather, activity, clocks, and astronomy data
✓ Built by an established independent developer with a long history of consistent updates
Weaker Points:
✕ Tapping a widget opens Widgetsmith itself rather than a linked app, unless set up separately with Shortcuts
✕ Some users report widgets occasionally freezing or failing to update without deleting and rebuilding them
✕ The builder-first setup process can feel confusing to first-time users compared to simpler, preset-based widget apps
✕ Deeper theming and advanced widget types require a paid subscription
✕ Widgets are tied to the wallpaper theme in some setups, making it harder to run separate looks for different screens
Use it For:
🎨 People who want deep, granular control over how their home screen and lock screen look
📸 Anyone who wants to display personal photos in a styled widget rather than a plain photo app
⏰ Users who want widgets that automatically change content depending on the time of day
🌤️ Anyone wanting quick access to detailed weather, air quality, or astronomy data at a glance
📱 iPhone and iPad users comfortable spending a little time setting things up in exchange for a fully personalized result
App Usable on:
Phone
Tablet
PC
TV
Applications and Features
Widgetsmith supports a wide catalog of widget types, including photos and photo galleries, date and time clocks, activity and step tracking, countdown timers, solar and lunar trackers, weather conditions, and a time zone tracker. Each can be resized and restyled independently.
The app extends beyond the home screen to the lock screen and Control Center, allowing users to view information like weather, photos, or inspirational text without unlocking the device. Action widgets can be built to launch apps, run Shortcuts, or send a text directly from a tap.
A built-in wallpaper library from various artists can be paired with matching widget themes for a cohesive look. The theming tool can also generate a coordinated palette from any wallpaper, including personal photos, and apply it across multiple widgets at once.
In-app tools include a detailed weather view with air quality, pollen, and tide data, a time zone converter, and charts for reviewing activity and workout history pulled from Apple Health.
▽ Gadgets Related to this App ▽
App Summary
Widgetsmith remains one of the most established apps in the widget customization space, having launched alongside iOS 14's widget support and gone on to shape how millions of people think about their home screen. Its strength is depth: nearly every visual element of a widget can be adjusted, and the time-based scheduling feature lets a single slot serve different purposes throughout the day.
That same depth is also its main friction point. New users sometimes find the process of creating and correctly placing a widget less intuitive than simpler, preset-driven alternatives, and the fact that tapping a widget opens Widgetsmith rather than a linked app catches some people off guard.
For anyone who wants a genuinely personalized, detailed home screen and is willing to spend a little time setting it up, Widgetsmith remains a strong and reliable choice.
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Widgetsmith is free to download and use, with the core widget types and customization tools available at no cost. A paid subscription unlocks additional widget styles, wallpapers, and theming options for users who want the full library.
Learning Difficulty:
The wide range of widget types and settings takes some initial exploration to understand fully, particularly linking a created widget to the correct placement on the home screen.
Required Skill Sets:
Educational Content:
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1/4
Questions & Answers: ⮛ (click to open)
Is Widgetsmith free to use?
Yes, the core widget types and customization tools are free. A paid subscription unlocks extra widget styles, wallpapers, and additional theming options for users who want more variety.
Why does tapping my widget open Widgetsmith instead of another app?
By default, all Widgetsmith widgets link back to the app itself rather than a specific destination app. To open a different app directly from a widget, users need to build a separate Action widget using Apple's Shortcuts app.
Can widgets change automatically throughout the day?
Yes, Widgetsmith supports time-based scheduling, letting a single widget slot display different content at set times, such as weather in the morning and a calendar view later in the day.
Does Widgetsmith work on the lock screen too?
Yes, widgets can be added to both the home screen and lock screen, along with Control Center, allowing information like weather or a photo to be visible without unlocking the device.
Good to Knows: ⮛ (click to open)
• Tapping a Widgetsmith widget opens the Widgetsmith app itself rather than a linked destination, unless a Shortcut is set up separately.
• Widget data such as steps or activity relies on permissions granted through the Apple Health app, not Widgetsmith directly.
• If a widget stops updating or displays incorrect data, deleting and recreating it usually resolves the issue faster than waiting for it to self-correct.
Takeaways: ⮛ (click to open)
• Widgetsmith remains one of the deepest widget customization tools available on iOS, with genuine control over nearly every visual detail.
• The free tier is generous enough for most users, with paid options reserved for extra styles rather than core functionality.
• Users who want a quick, preset-based aesthetic upgrade may find simpler alternatives faster to set up.
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