How to Turn Widgets Off on iPhone

Widgets on the iPhone provide quick access to app information and functions, but sometimes they can clutter your home screen or slow down your device. If you want a cleaner interface or need to improve performance, turning off widgets can help.

This guide explains how to turn widgets off on your iPhone, covering different iOS versions and methods. You will learn practical steps to remove or disable widgets, troubleshoot common issues, and follow best practices to keep your iPhone organized and efficient.

What are widgets on iPhone and why would you turn them off?

Widgets are small app extensions that display information or provide quick actions directly on your iPhone’s Home Screen or Today View. They can show weather updates, calendar events, news headlines, or battery status without opening the app. While useful, widgets consume system resources and screen space.

Turning widgets off means removing them from your Home Screen or Today View, which can help reduce distractions, improve device performance, and save battery life. Developers and users may want to disable widgets temporarily or permanently to customize their iPhone experience.

How do you turn off widgets on iPhone Home Screen?

To turn off widgets on the iPhone Home Screen, you need to remove them manually since iOS does not provide a global toggle to disable all widgets at once. Widgets are displayed in a separate widget area or embedded among app icons depending on your iOS version.

Here is how to remove widgets from your Home Screen:

Touch and hold any widget or empty space on the Home Screen until the icons start to jiggle.
Tap the minus (-) icon on the widget you want to remove.
Confirm by tapping "Remove" to delete the widget from the Home Screen.
Press the Home button or tap "Done" at the top right to exit editing mode.

This process removes the widget from your Home Screen but does not uninstall the app. You can add widgets back anytime by entering jiggle mode and tapping the plus (+) icon.

How do you disable widgets in Today View on iPhone?

The Today View is the leftmost screen on your iPhone where widgets are grouped for quick access. To turn off widgets here, you must remove them individually or disable Today View access.

To remove widgets from Today View:

Swipe right from the Home Screen or Lock Screen to open Today View.
Scroll to the bottom and tap "Edit."
Tap the red minus (-) icon next to the widget you want to remove.
Tap "Remove" to confirm.
Tap "Done" to save changes.

If you want to disable Today View entirely on the Lock Screen or Home Screen:

Open the Settings app.
Go to "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode."
Enter your passcode.
Scroll down to "Allow Access When Locked."
Toggle off "Today View and Search."

This disables Today View access from the Lock Screen but does not remove widgets from the Home Screen.

What prerequisites are required for turning off widgets on iPhone?

Compatible iPhone model: Ensure your iPhone runs iOS 14 or later, as widgets on the Home Screen were introduced in iOS 14.
Basic familiarity with iOS interface: Knowing how to navigate the Home Screen, Today View, and Settings app is essential for managing widgets.
Unlocked device or passcode: You need access to your iPhone to make changes to widgets and settings.
Updated iOS version: Keeping your iPhone updated ensures widget management options are available and stable.

Step-by-step guide to turn widgets off on iPhone

Step 1: Enter Home Screen editing mode

Touch and hold any empty space or widget on your Home Screen until the icons start to jiggle. This mode allows you to rearrange or remove widgets and apps.

Touch and hold widget or empty space on Home Screen

This command initiates the editing mode, indicated by jiggling icons and a minus icon on widgets.

Step 2: Remove widgets from Home Screen

Tap the minus (-) icon on the widget you want to remove. A confirmation dialog appears to ensure you want to delete the widget.

Tap '-' icon on widget, then tap 'Remove'

This removes the widget from your Home Screen without deleting the app itself.

Step 3: Exit editing mode

Press the Home button or tap "Done" in the top right corner to exit the jiggle mode and save your changes.

Tap 'Done' or press Home button

Exiting editing mode locks your layout and hides the editing controls.

Step 4: Open Today View

Swipe right from the Home Screen or Lock Screen to access Today View, where additional widgets are displayed.

Swipe right on Home Screen or Lock Screen

This action reveals the Today View panel containing widgets from various apps.

Step 5: Edit widgets in Today View

Scroll to the bottom of Today View and tap "Edit" to manage widgets. Tap the red minus (-) icon next to any widget you want to remove, then confirm by tapping "Remove."

Tap 'Edit' at bottom, then '-' on widget, then 'Remove'

This removes the selected widgets from Today View, cleaning up your quick access panel.

Step 6: Disable Today View on Lock Screen (optional)

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, and toggle off "Today View and Search" under "Allow Access When Locked." This disables Today View access from the Lock Screen.

Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Toggle off 'Today View and Search'

This step improves security by preventing widget access without unlocking your iPhone.

What are common errors when turning off widgets on iPhone and how do you fix them?

Widgets not removable: Some system widgets cannot be removed from Today View. Accept that these are fixed or disable Today View access on Lock Screen if privacy is a concern.
Widgets reappear after reboot: Widgets may reappear if apps reinstall or iOS resets your layout. Remove widgets again or update iOS to fix bugs.
Unable to enter jiggle mode: If touch and hold does not activate editing, restart your iPhone or update iOS to resolve potential glitches.
Today View still accessible on Lock Screen: Ensure you toggled off "Today View and Search" under the correct passcode settings and that the device is locked when testing.

What are best practices when using widgets on iPhone?

Limit widgets to essentials: Use only widgets that provide real-time value to avoid clutter and save battery life.
Regularly update iOS and apps: Updates often improve widget performance and fix bugs affecting widget behavior.
Organize widgets logically: Group related widgets together for faster access and better screen organization.
Disable widgets on Lock Screen for privacy: Prevent sensitive information from showing by disabling Today View access when locked.
Remove unused widgets: Periodically review and remove widgets you no longer use to maintain a clean interface.

What are alternatives to turning off widgets on iPhone?

If you want to reduce widget distractions without fully turning them off, consider these alternatives:

Minimize widget sizes: Use smaller widget sizes to save space while keeping information visible.
Rearrange widgets: Place less important widgets on secondary Home Screen pages.
Use Focus mode: Customize Focus settings to hide widgets during work or personal time.
Disable background app refresh: Limit apps from updating widget data in the background to save battery.

These options allow you to keep widgets but reduce their impact on your iPhone experience.

Conclusion

Turning widgets off on iPhone helps you declutter your Home Screen and Today View, improving focus and potentially saving battery life. Since iOS does not offer a global widget toggle, you remove widgets individually from the Home Screen and Today View or disable access to Today View on the Lock Screen.

Developers and users should manage widgets carefully to balance convenience and performance. Following the step-by-step guide and best practices in this article ensures you control your iPhone’s widget experience effectively and troubleshoot common issues with ease.

FAQ

Can I permanently disable all widgets on my iPhone?

iOS does not provide a global switch to disable all widgets. You must remove widgets individually or disable Today View access on the Lock Screen for partial control.

Will removing widgets delete the associated apps?

No, removing widgets only deletes the widget from the Home Screen or Today View. The app remains installed and accessible.

Do widgets affect iPhone battery life?

Yes, widgets that update frequently can consume battery. Removing or limiting widgets can help extend battery life.

Can I add widgets back after removing them?

Yes, you can add widgets back anytime by entering Home Screen editing mode and selecting widgets from the widget gallery.

Why can't I remove some widgets from Today View?

Some system widgets are fixed and cannot be removed. You can disable Today View access on the Lock Screen to prevent unwanted access.