How to Add Desktop Widgets to Mac

Desktop widgets on macOS let you see information like weather, calendar events, and battery status at a glance, without opening an app. This guide shows you how to add, customize, and manage widgets on your Mac, whether you’re using macOS Sonoma or later (where widgets live on the desktop) or an earlier version (where they live in Notification Center).

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Sonoma (14.0) or later for desktop widgets. Earlier versions only support widgets in Notification Center.
• An Apple ID signed in to your Mac (required for iPhone widgets on macOS Sonoma).
• Apps that support widgets (most built-in apps like Calendar, Weather, and Clock do).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Widget Gallery: Right-click (or Control-click) on an empty area of your desktop. From the context menu, choose Edit Widgets. Alternatively, click the date/time in the menu bar to open Notification Center, then click the “Edit Widgets” button at the bottom.
2. Browse or Search: The Widget Gallery appears. On the left, you’ll see a list of apps that offer widgets. Click any app to see its available widget sizes and styles. You can also use the search bar at the top to find a specific widget.
3. Add a Widget to the Desktop: Click a widget in the gallery, then drag it to the desired spot on your desktop. Release the mouse button to drop it. The widget will appear on your desktop immediately.
4. Add a Widget to Notification Center (macOS Sonoma and later): If you prefer widgets in Notification Center, drag the widget to the right edge of the screen (or to the Notification Center area) instead of the desktop. On older macOS versions, this is the only place you can add widgets.
5. Position and Resize: After adding a widget, you can move it by clicking and dragging it to a new location. To resize, hover over the widget and look for a small handle in the corner (on macOS Sonoma, right-click the widget and choose a size like Small, Medium, or Large if available). Not all widgets support resizing.
6. Customize Widget Content: Some widgets allow customization. Right-click the widget and select Edit Widget (or look for an “Edit” button that appears when you hover). For example, the Weather widget lets you choose a location, and the Calendar widget lets you select which calendar to display.
7. Add iPhone Widgets (macOS Sonoma only): If you have an iPhone with iOS 17 or later, you can add iPhone widgets to your Mac desktop. In the Widget Gallery, scroll down to the “iPhone” section. Select a widget and drag it to the desktop. You’ll need to have your iPhone nearby and signed in with the same Apple ID.
8. Remove a Widget: To remove a widget, right-click it and select Remove Widget. Or, while in Edit mode (right-click desktop > Edit Widgets), click the minus (-) button that appears on the widget’s corner.

Common Mistakes

• Looking for desktop widgets on older macOS: If you’re on macOS Ventura or earlier, widgets only appear in Notification Center. You cannot place them on the desktop. Check your macOS version (Apple menu > About This Mac) before troubleshooting.
• Dragging instead of clicking: Some users try to click and drag a widget from the gallery but accidentally just close the gallery. Make sure you press and hold the mouse button while dragging.
• Expecting all widgets to be resizable: Many widgets only come in one or two fixed sizes. If you don’t see a resize option, that widget doesn’t support it.
• Widgets not updating: Widgets refresh periodically, but if you expect real-time data (like stock prices), there might be a delay. Check your network connection and ensure the app itself is running.

Tips

• Use Stacks (macOS Sonoma and later): You can create a stack of widgets by dragging one widget on top of another. The stack will cycle through the widgets, and you can swipe through them. This saves desktop space.
• Leverage Smart Stacks: macOS can automatically create a Smart Stack that shows relevant widgets based on time of day or activity (e.g., Calendar in the morning, News in the evening). Look for the “Smart Stack” option in the Widget Gallery.
• Keep widgets organized: Use the desktop’s alignment guides (they appear when dragging) to neatly arrange widgets. You can also create a dedicated corner of your desktop for widgets.
• Use keyboard shortcuts: Press F5 (or Fn+F5 on some keyboards) to quickly open Notification Center, where you can access widgets even if they’re not on the desktop.
• Check app compatibility: Not all apps provide widgets. If you can’t find a widget for an app, check the app’s settings or the App Store for an update.

Troubleshooting

• Widgets won’t appear on desktop: Ensure you’re running macOS Sonoma or later. If you are, try restarting your Mac or logging out and back in. Also, check that “Desktop & Dock” settings in System Settings have “Show widgets on desktop” enabled (it’s on by default).
• Widgets are not updating: Right-click the widget and select “Reload” (if available). If not, force-quit the app that provides the widget (e.g., Weather) and reopen it. Also, check your internet connection.
• iPhone widgets not showing: Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, are signed in to the same Apple ID, and are within range. On your Mac, go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Widgets and ensure “iPhone Widgets” is toggled on.
• Widgets disappear after restart: This can happen if you have “Automatically hide and show the Dock” enabled, but that shouldn’t affect widgets. Try removing and re-adding the widget. If it persists, check for macOS updates.
• Cannot drag widgets from gallery: Make sure you’re not in “Jiggle mode” (if you accidentally entered it). Click anywhere on the desktop to exit. Then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add widgets to the desktop on macOS Monterey or Big Sur?

No. Desktop widgets are only available on macOS Sonoma (14.0) and later. On earlier versions, widgets are limited to Notification Center.

How do I remove a widget from the desktop?

Right-click the widget and select “Remove Widget.” Alternatively, enter edit mode by right-clicking the desktop and choosing “Edit Widgets,” then click the minus sign on the widget.

Can I use widgets from my iPhone on my Mac?

Yes, if you have macOS Sonoma and iOS 17 or later. Your Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID, and both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

Why can’t I resize a widget?

Not all widgets support multiple sizes. If you don’t see a resize option when right-clicking, the widget only has one size.

Do widgets drain battery?

Widgets use minimal resources, but they do refresh periodically. If you’re concerned about battery life, you can remove widgets you don’t use.

Can I add widgets to the desktop on an external monitor?

Yes, widgets can be placed on any display connected to your Mac. The process is the same; just drag the widget to the desired monitor.

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