Skip to content

How Manage Today Screen Widgets on the Apple iPhone 13

    This guide will show you how to mange the apps or widgets that appear in the left-most screen – called the Today screen – on the Apple iPhone 12. We’ll show you how to access the Today screen, and how to add or remove widgets, and how to remove the Today screen from appearing on the Lock Screen.

    The Today screen is a useful function of the Apple iPhone that lets you quickly view information through a variety of widgets, such as weather, news, and more. The best part is, you can edit any of the items that appear on the Today screen, including the order in which they appear.

    We’ve got a complete guide of all the actions that you can do to manage, add, remove, and view the Today screen on an Apple iPhone – check it out below.

    Today Screen
    Screenshot of the Today Screen

    How to Access the Today Screen

    If you’re on this page, you’re probably already familiar. However, we wanted to make sure you’re in the right place. Here’s how you get to the Today screen from the lock screen and home screen.

    • From the Lock Screen: Swipe Right. The screen appears but you will NOT be able to click anything unless you’ve unlocked the device with face ID first.
    • From the Home Screen: Swipe Right. All actions are available because you’ve already unlocked the phone.
    Home screen swipe right
    Swipe Right

    How to Access Edit Mode on the Today Screen

    1. Swipe right to open the Today screen.
    2. Perform one of the following:
      • Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Edit button. All the widgets will start shaking.
      • Press and hold down an empty space (not a widget) on the Today screen.
    3. All the widgets will start shaking and you’re in Edit mode. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to leave Edit mode.

    How to Add Widgets or Apps to the Today Screen

    There are two options to add additional widgets and apps to the Today Screen.

    Add using the Widget tool (easy method)

    1. Swipe right to open the Today screen.
    2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Edit button. All the widgets will start shaking.
    3. Tap the Plus Sign at the top of the screen. A list of available widgets and a search bar appears.
    4. Scroll through the list of Widgets or scroll down to the available apps list.
    5. Tap a widget or app to select. Some widgets have multiple views/options available.
    6. Swipe left or right to scroll through the widgets and pick the size that works for you.  
    7. Tap Add Widget.

    Add using the menu option

    1. Swipe right to open the Today screen.
    2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Edit button. All the widgets will start shaking.
    3. Tap the Customize button at the bottom of the screen (this is where the Edit button way previously).
    4. Scroll down and tap the Plus Sign to add a widget. Tap the Minus Sign to remove any.
    5. Tap Done when finished (you can also organize from this screen).

    How to Remove Widgets or Apps from the Today screen

    1. Swipe right to open the Today screen.
    2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Edit button. All the widgets will start shaking.
    3. Tap the Minus sign.
    4. Tap Remove to confirm removal or Cancel if you want to keep it.

    How to Organize or Arrange Widgets or Apps on the Today screen

    1. Swipe right to open the Today screen.
    2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Edit button. All the widgets will start shaking.
    3. Press and hold down the widget you want to move (similar to moving apps on the home screen).
    4. Drag the app to the desired place.
    5. Release the app.
    6. Swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone to get out of Edit mode.

    How to Remove the Today Screen from the Lock Screen

    1. From the device, open the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.
    3. Enter your device passcode.
    4. Scroll down to the Allow Access When Locked section.
    5. Toggle off the Today View and Search setting.

    How to Add the Today Screen to the Lock Screen

    1. From the device, open the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.
    3. Enter your device passcode.
    4. Scroll down to the Allow Access When Locked section.
    5. Toggle on the Today View and Search setting.

    Related Lock Screen Support

    If you like customizing the Today Screen or Lock Screen, check out our guide on managing Spotlight Search which appears in both places: How to Use Spotlight Search from the Lock Screen on the Apple iPhone

    Additional iPhone Support