Meta Description: Master your iPhone’s Today View. This definitive guide covers everything from adding and arranging widgets to advanced customisation and automation tips to create your perfect home screen companion.
The iPhone’s Today View – that information-rich panel you access by swiping right from your Home Screen or Lock Screen – is arguably one of the most underutilised productivity powerhouses on your device. When customised effectively, it transforms from a simple list of notifications into a personalised command centre, giving you glanceable access to the data you care about most, without ever needing to open an app.
Whether you want to track your fitness rings, see your next calendar appointment, monitor stock prices, or control your smart home lights, the Today View is your gateway. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of customising these widgets, from the absolute basics to advanced, pro-level personalisation that will make your iPhone work smarter for you.
Understanding the Today View Ecosystem
Before we dive into customisation, it’s crucial to understand the landscape. The Today View isn’t a single, static page.
- Primary Access: Swipe right from any Home Screen page or the Lock Screen.
- Widgets vs. App Icons: Widgets provide live, at-a-glance information and can perform quick actions. They come in small, medium, and large sizes, offering different levels of detail.
- Multiple Pages: You can have more than one page of widgets in your Today View. Simply scroll down to add a new page.
The goal is to curate this space to serve your daily flow of information.
Step-by-Step: How to Add, Remove, and Rearrange Today View Widgets
1. Entering Edit Mode
To start customising, swipe right to open the Today View. Scroll to the very bottom and tap “Edit.” You’ll now see your current widgets in a list with a red minus (-) icon and a hamburger (≡) icon on the left of each.
2. Adding a New Widget
While in Edit mode, look for the green “+” icon in the top-left corner. Tapping this opens the Widget Gallery. This is your library of all available widgets, categorised by app and by Apple-curated “Smart Stacks.”
- Browse: Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top.
- Preview: Tap any widget to see its available sizes (Small, Medium, Large). Different sizes show different information.
- Add: Select your desired size and tap “Add Widget.” It will appear at the bottom of your Today View list.
3. Removing a Widget
In the Edit menu, tap the red minus (-) icon next to the widget you want to remove. Then tap “Remove” to confirm. The widget will vanish instantly.
4. Rearranging the Order
This is key to a functional Today View. In the Edit menu, press and hold the hamburger icon (≡) next to a widget, then drag it up or down to its new position. Place your most frequently viewed or time-sensitive widgets (like Calendar, Weather) at the top.
5. Creating Multiple Pages
If you have many widgets, organising them into thematic pages keeps things tidy. After adding your first set of widgets, simply scroll down in the Today View. You’ll see a set of dots (like on the Home Screen) indicating pages. Swipe left on the empty space, and a new blank page will appear. You can now add widgets to this page.
Pro Tip: Dedicate pages to specific contexts. For example:
- Page 1: Daily Essentials (Weather, Calendar, Batteries, Reminders).
- Page 2: Fitness & Health (Activity Rings, Heart Rate, Sleep).
- Page 3: Smart Home (Home controls for lights, thermostat).
- Page 4: Entertainment (Now Playing, App Store).
Going Beyond Basics: Advanced Customisation Techniques
Personalising Individual Widgets
Many widgets are not just static displays; they can be customised. After adding a widget, long-press on it in the Today View. A context menu will appear. If the widget supports it, you’ll see an option like “Edit Widget” or “Edit [App Name]”.
- Weather Widget: Choose a specific city.
- Calendar Widget: Toggle between showing your next event or your full day.
- Notes Widget: Select a specific note or folder to display.
- Shortcuts Widget: Configure which specific shortcut is shown.
Mastering Smart Stacks
A Smart Stack is a group of widgets that Apple’s intelligence rotates throughout the day based on your usage patterns. It saves space and surfaces relevant information.
- Creating a Smart Stack: In the Widget Gallery, scroll to the “Smart Stacks” section and add one. You can also create one manually by dragging one widget on top of another in the Today View Edit mode.
- Editing a Smart Stack: Long-press the stack and choose “Edit Stack.” Here, you can:
- Toggle “Smart Rotate” on or off.
- Manually add or remove widgets from the stack.
- Drag to reorder the widgets within the stack.
Leveraging Third-Party App Widgets
The real power of the Today View comes from third-party apps. From Fantastical (superior calendar) and Carrot Weather (quirky forecasts) to Todoist (task management) and YNAB (budgeting), explore your favourite apps’ widget options.
My Personal Experience: I use the “Due” app widget for time-sensitive reminders. Its persistent, nagging notification in widget form is incredibly effective for tasks I can’t afford to forget, proving that widget choice is deeply personal to your workflow.
Optimising for Readability and Usability: Pro Tips
- Prioritise by Frequency: Your top 3-4 widgets should be things you check dozens of times a day. For most, this is Calendar and Weather.
- Size Matters: Use Large widgets for complex information (like a detailed day view in Fantastical) and Small widgets for single-data-points (like current stock price or world clock).
- Colour and Cohesion: While you can’t change a widget’s theme, be aware that some apps offer light/dark mode widgets. A well-chosen set will feel cohesive.
- Use it on the Lock Screen: Don’t forget you can also add widgets to your Lock Screen (long-press Lock Screen > Customise > Lock Screen > Add Widgets). This is perfect for truly at-a-glance info.
Troubleshooting Common Widget Issues
- Widget Not Updating: Ensure Background App Refresh is on (Settings > General > Background App Refresh). Restart the app and your iPhone.
- “Widget Unavailable”: This usually means the parent app needs an update or has been removed. Try reinstalling the app.
- Can’t Add Widget: Ensure the app supports widgets. Check the App Store description. Also, some widgets require certain app permissions (like Location for Weather).
The Future of Widgets: Interactivity and Integration
With recent iOS updates, widgets have become more interactive. You can now complete a Todoist task, play/pause music, or run a Shortcut directly from some widgets without opening the app. This trend is set to continue, blurring the lines between widgets and full apps.
Authoritative Insight: According to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, widgets are designed to offer “glanceable, relevant, and personal” content. Their evolution from simple information displays in iOS 14 to more interactive elements shows a clear direction towards making the Home Screen and Today View a more actionable surface.
Conclusion: Your Today View, Your Rules
Customising your Today View isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process of refinement as your needs change. Start with the basics, experiment with different apps and layouts, and don’t be afraid to overhaul it every few months. The perfect Today View is one that feels invisible – it simply delivers the right information at the right time, making you more efficient and informed with every swipe.
Take Action Today: Open your Today View, tap Edit, and add one new widget that could solve a daily pain point. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
External Resources for Further Learning:
- Apple’s Official iOS User Guide on Widgets: Apple Support
- An In-Depth Analysis of Widget Design Principles: Nielsen Norman Group
- A Curated List of Best iOS Widgets: Product Hunt Collections
