15 Useful Android Widgets You Should Try
Apr. 11, 2019Widgets not only add an aesthetic appeal to yourAndroid smartphone’s home screen, they also make your device more functional by letting you view information at a glance without even opening the app itself. These widgets cover various use cases, meaning there’s one (if not many) for everyone. So, if you’ve been looking for some decent Android widgets to spruce up your device’s home screen, check out this list of 15 useful Android widgets that you should try.
If you have never used widgets on Android before, check outhow to add widgets on Androidhome screen. It will help you get started with widgets.
1. KWGT Kustom Widget Maker
Starting this list with KWGT, a custom widget maker that allows you to let your creativity wild and make your own Android widget. You can find a bunch of preset options within the app itself, or you can head to the Play Store to findmore presets made by developersthat you can install and use with this app. Itlets you play around with the widgetsto make it your own.
It has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get a hang of it you can make a widget that blends well with the aesthetics of your home screen. However, you will need to buy thePro version to unlock the complete capabilityof this app. I’ve been using the KWGT custom widget maker for a while now and I can tell you with complete confidence that once you start using it, you’ll feel the need to install it on every Android device that you use.ProsConsCreate your own custom Android widgetMost of the features require the Pro versionWidgets can be of different types and functionalityCan be a bit confusing for beginnersBunch of presets already available in the appHas a large community of third-party presets
Next up is the Google Calendar widget, another useful widget perfect for those who need to keep up with their schedule. Having this widget on your home screen is a lifesaver as it helps you stay up to date on all the important dates, meetings, events, and special days of your loved ones.
The Google Calendar app offers two widgets, both can be quite handy but I feel theCalendar scheduleone is the way to go. The most handy part about using these widgets is thatyou can easily add to your schedule by just tapping on the datewithin the widget, eliminating the need to first open up the app and then scroll to the specific date. This is one widget that has to be a must on everyone’s device.ProsConsLets you view important events at a glanceNo customization optionsCan choose between schedule and month-view stylesAdd a new schedule by tapping on the widget
TickTick is what you call a jack of all trades. The app itself lets you do all sorts of things like add events to your calendar, create a list of tasks, help youdevelop habits, and calculate your focus. And you bet ithas a widget for every occasion coming at around 23 widgets in total. It’s not just about the number either, all of these widgets look clean and provide helpful information while keeping track of your goals and schedule.
If there is one widget that I am happy Android took from iOS then it will be the battery widget. It shows the currentbattery status of all your connected devicesright from your home screen. Given how TWS and smart wearables have become so common, this widget has become a must. I can check the battery level for my smartwatch or earbuds without even opening the app.
Thanks to it, you’ll know when one of your connected accessories is about to run out of juice so you can give it a charge before heading out. The best part is that you do not need a separate app for this widget, as it comespre-installed with Android phones. This is one widget that I make sure to add to my home screen on every single one of the smartphones that I use.
Google’s popularnote-taking app– Keep – also has a few really useful widgets that you should use on your Android device. The first widgetdisplays five shortcutsthat will allow you to add a new note, a new list, a new voice note, a new handwritten note, and a picture. The second widget, apart from featuring the aforementioned shortcut, also displays some of your recent notes. The third one lets you pin individual notes.
As you can see from the image above, the widget displays two of my most recent notes. This helps me keep track of the important things I have to do by taking a look at my home screen. However, it does not let you add oredit the list right from the widgetitself which is a bit annoying.ProsConsFeatures three useful widgetsCannot edit the note directly from the widgetFirst one offers five accessible shortcutsSecond one lets you view your recent notesThird one lets you attach individual notes
The ‘At a Glance’ widget was introduced with Pixel Launcher but is now baked into the Google app. As a result, now you can use this minimal weather and calendar widget on any Android device. As the name suggests, it shows you relevant information at a glance. With this widget, you can readily access theCalendar and real-time weatherinformation on your home screen.
It can also show you your upcomingreminders, tasks, schedules, or travel detailsfetching them from your emails. You can tap on the widget to get more details about those things. This widget is available under the Google app option in the widget selection menu. Besides this, there areother Pixel-exclusive features you can geton your Android device.ProsConsShows calendar and weather informationThe widget is not resizeableCan be customized for dark and light themesLooks clean and matches with wallpaper theme
Smartphone addiction is a serious concern among many as most of us spend our entire days glued to our screens. Google’s Digital Being widget helps you stay aware of your smartphone consumption as itshows you your top threemost used appsand how long have you used them in the form of bubbles. The larger the bubble, the more you are consuming the said app.
This not onlyhelps youlearn about your smartphone habitsbut also alerts you which app you should stop consuming just by a glance. I have seen this widget on the home screens of several of my coworkers and they say that it helps them to be vigilant about how they spend their time as well. So you should give this widget a try if you think you have been using your phone a lot lately.ProsConsShows most used apps and time used in for of bubblesHelps too improve your smartphone use habitsHelps to improve your smartphone use habitsComes built into Android
Next up, we have another popular task management app called Todoist. Chances are many of you are already using this app. It includes a few handy widgets that will allow you tokeep track of your to-do list itemsright from your home screen. There are a total of three widgets. The first one shows a progress bar to track your productivity, and the second one includes a to-do list.
Remember sticky notes from earlier Windows days? Well, you can get a similar feature on your Android device too with ColorNote. It allows you to create notes and you can set them on your Android screen using colorful widgets. It works exactly like the Windows Sticky Notes and I am happy that you can organize andedit notes on the fly.
The best part about ColorNote is itsresizable widgetwhich is completely free, unlike other apps. Apart from that, you can also sync your notes online and the notes are encrypted before uploading to the server. All in all, you can think of ColorNote as a watered-down version of Google Keep widgets that are great if you don’t want large widgets taking up your entire home screen.
IFTTT is a great automation app that lets youcreate appletsthat can do a predefined action with a single tap or when a defined parameter is true. The app, in itself, is quite handy as it lets you automate several mundane tasks like switching on the WiFi when you get to work. It also features three different widgets where you canassign an applet to quickly launchit from the home screen.
The IFTTT widget applets are some of the most handy widgets that I’ve used so far and I will recommend you to check out the app if you wish tostreamline some repetitive taskson your smartphone.ProsConsAssign custom applets to widgetsLimited functionality in widgetsWidgets available in varying sizesCan be used to trigger applets from home screen
Breezy Weather is an open-source weather app that is free of ads and heavy in widgets. This app is clean and shows you all the essential data you would need about the weather in your area. Not only is it a good weather app that you might not want to switch from ever again but alsofeatures 13 different widgets.
These widgets come in all shapes and sizes that you can add to your home screen based on your preference. They allsupport Material You theming, select items that you want to see, and change position from left to right. If you are in search of a competent weather app then surely try out Breezy Weather.ProsConsClean and elegant weather app with detailed infoNot available on the Google Play StoreFeatures 13 different widget stylesOpen-source and ad-freeCustomize widget size and items that appear
If you need to keep track of the days till a special event like your anniversary, someone’s birthday, or an important meeting then this widget is a must-have. Countdown widget is a simple app that does one job, lets you add a countdown widget to your Android phone’s home page. You canchoose between four different sizesbut they all do the same thing – add a countdown timer.
You can change the colors and different aspects of the widget but its functionality remains the same. Some theming options likefont styles, drop shadowsand theoption to remove ads are locked behind the Pro version. Still, if you want a countdown timer widget, then do check it out.ProsConsChoose between four different widget sizesSome customization options are available in Pro versionCan change color and other aspects of the widgetAdds an easily glanceable countdown timer to your homescreen
Data does not come cheap and if you are on a plan with limited mobile data threshold then you might want to use GlassWire. This applets you see how muchdata you have used, and how much you have got left from your current plan. It also includes three widgets that can bring these details to your home screen.
This helps you stay vigilant about your data consumption. You can even use it to track how much data you consume over WiFi on your device. Another one of the widgets has aGlassWire Firewalltoggle that you can turn on if you are nearing your monthly data cap. However, the widgets cannot be stretched out vertically taking only a single row. This is great for space but makes it harder to see the actual data. This is surely a handy app that even I have started to use now.ProsConsShows consumed and leftover data in mobile planCannot stretch out widgets verticallyWidget to toggle on GlassWire Firewall to save dataLets you monitor mobile and WiFi data consumptionResizeable minimal widgets
With so many streaming platforms out there nowadays, it can be a chore to find what to watch and which platform is it available on. The Google TV app lets you browse andfind movies and TV shows from different genres, shows theirRotten Tomato ratings, and which platform they are streaming on. Its widget also does the same, allowing you to check the latest movies and shows you can on your homescreen.
The widget itself is 3×4 in size taking up a lot of space but in turn. There is also a shortcut in the widget toquickly access Google TV remotethat you can use to control your paired Google or Android TV device. I only wish that I could continuously scroll on the widget to see more suggestions.
Yes, I know it is odd to mention Apple Music in a list of widgets for Android smartphones but hear me out. Apple Music is a pretty good option when it comes to music streaming services and I enjoy its selection of widgets. I use it for myself regularly and compared to Spotify, I like how they designed their widget to be more functional and informative.
There arefour widgets in total,one shows you currently playing track, the other one is for recently played, the third one is the recommendations and the fourth is the Top charts that I use. Apart from the first one, all the other are 3×2 in size. I think if you use Apple Music as a service then you’re missing out if you are not using its widgets.ProsConsSupports Material You wallpaper themingRecommendable for Apple Music subscribers onlyFour different widget options to choose fromMost widgets take up a lot of space on home screenSkip tracks or browse new songs from the widget
That rounds up our list of the 15 most useful widgets for Android. I recommend you to try the widgets for yourself and I’m pretty sure you’ll be amazed by all that you can achieve right from your smartphone’s home screen. KWGT and Google Keep are my favorite out of the lot as they allow me to completely customize the look of my smartphone’s home screen.
Which one of these Android widgets have you tried already? Do you have any favorites? Let us know in the comments section below.
As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.
