There is no question that the Notification Center widgets in iOS have evolved over time to become an essential feature of mobile devices. These widgets offer users a quick and convenient way to access app-specific information right from the lock screen, without needing to unlock the device and launch the app. They provide quick updates, help organize your daily schedule, and offer shortcuts to various services.
Notification Center widgets have been around for quite some time, but how do we use them and unlock their full potential? In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into Notification Center widgets in iOS and explore their usability, customization, and flexibility.
What Are Notification Center Widgets?
Notification Center Widgets are small app components that allow you to see different types of information and access app-specific features right from the Today View screen in the Notification Center. With the release of iOS 10, Apple introduced a new widget system known as “Today View.”
To access the Notification Center, swipe down from the top of the screen. Here, you can see various pieces of information that are available for display on the Today View screen. Users can also customize the widgets that are available on the Today View screen.
Adding Widgets to Notification Center
To add a widget to the Notification Center, swipe down to reveal the Today View screen, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Edit” button. You will then see a list of all the apps installed on your device that have widgets ready to add.
Once you have selected the app you want to add, press on the “+ button” next to it. This adds the widget to the bottom of the list. To rearrange the order of your widgets, you can drag them up or down. You can also remove any widgets that you no longer use.
Customizing Widgets
Customization is the real power of Notification Center widgets. Every app’s widget will offer different options and different types of information. For Instance, the Calendar app’s widget can be used to show you your schedule or upcoming events.
If you want to customize a widget, you can swipe left on the app’s widget from the Notification Center and tap “Edit.” This will open the widget’s settings card, allowing you to make any changes to its display settings. Not all widgets have customization options, but most allow you to select from a variety of different sizes that fit with the size of the widget, choose what information it should display, its background color and more.
Types of Widgets in iOS
There are various types of widgets you can add to the Notification Center depending on the apps installed on your iOS device. In general, there are three types of widgets:
- Informational Widgets: These widgets display information, such as headlines from news apps or the current weather.
- Utility Widgets: These widgets allow you to perform app-specific functions right from the Notification Center screen.
- Interactive Widgets: These widgets offer two-way communication between the app and Notification Center. For instance, Siri App Suggestions will display a list of apps prediction for you to launch.
Improving Productivity with Notification Center Widgets
The real value of Notification Center Widgets comes in handy in daily organization and productivity. Consider adding the following apps with their respective widgets to your Notification Center:
- Calendar
- Reminders
- File Management Apps
- Third-party apps like Google Keep, Trello, Evernote, and Focus@Will
- Weather
- Maps
- News
- Music player apps
- Rideshares like Uber and Lyft
With these widgets in use, you can easily glance your schedule for the day, remember to-dos, listen to music, or catch up on the weather before heading out, among other things.
Conclusion
Notification Center Widgets add a valuable layer to iOS devices to help users improve productivity and personalization. With the ability to customize and rearrange widgets to suit individual needs, and access them without entering passcode, users can more skillfully use their mobile devices on the go. Whether checking weather, managing schedules, and tracking rideshares, widgets offer a simpler way to stay organized.
Frequently Asked Questions about Notification Center Widgets in iOS
Can I remove widgets from Notification Center?
Yes, you can remove widgets from Notification Center by swiping left on the widget, and then selecting “Remove”. You can also disable widgets altogether by going to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and turning off “Today View.”
How can I rearrange widgets in Notification Center?
You can rearrange widgets in Notification Center by scrolling to the bottom of your Today View page and pressing the “Edit” button. You can then drag and drop the widgets in any order you like.
Can I only add Apple apps to Notification Center?
No, you can add both Apple and third-party apps to Notification Center as long as these apps support widgets. To check whether an app has a widget or not, go to the app’s description on the App Store and look for the Today View widget feature.
Are widgets secure?
Yes, widgets are safe and secure. They don’t require login credentials and only display specific information related to their respective apps. Additionally, widgets are disabled by default when your device is locked to protect your data.
