8 Third-Party Home Screen Widgets That You Can Try Out Now on iOS 14

[MacRumors]

One of the biggest new features of iOS 14 is Home Screen widgets, which provide information from apps at a glance. The widgets can be pinned to the Home Screen in various spots and sizes, allowing for many different layouts.

When the iOS 14 beta was first released in June, widgets were limited to Apple's own apps like Calendar and Weather, but several third-party developers have begun to test the feature for their own apps. As shown in our screenshots below, this includes:

• Parcel - Delivery tracking
• Debit & Credit - Track your expenses
• Aviary - Recent tweets
• Schooly - Class schedule
• Spendy - Daily spending
• Streaks - Track habits
• Dark Noise - White noise
• Unwind - Relaxation app

TestFlight slots are limited, so some apps may be full.

Keep in mind that Home Screen widgets are fairly limited in scope. This is because Apple only allows the widgets to present read-only information, with interactive elements such as scrolling elements or switches not allowed, presumably due to battery life considerations. Tapping on a widget opens the corresponding app.

Also be aware that, as of the fourth developer beta of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple says that all widgets must be rebuilt using the latest SDK and will not run on previous beta versions. This has temporarily broken some widgets, such as the Aviary widget, which is currently displaying new tweets on a very delayed basis.

Users interested in trying out these widgets can download Apple's free TestFlight app, tap on the TestFlight links above using an iPhone or iPad, and download a beta version of each app. Not all of the widgets are fully polished yet, so expect some glitches.

For more, read our guide on how to use Home Screen widgets in iOS 14. Also watch our hands-on video of the widgets in action.

Home Screen widgets will be available to all users when iOS 14 is released in the fall.

Article Link: 8 Third-Party Home Screen Widgets That You Can Try Out Now on iOS 14

 

[ipedro]

I use widgets for Streaks and Things, both of which are essentially useless under the new format. Checking off a quick To Do in a widget or marking a streak as completed, were the entire purpose of these widgets. If I want to open the app, I'll just hit the app icon.

Some widgets still make sense based on the real time information they provide but I can see the usefulness of a large segment of widgets being deprecated.

 

[synergize]

After reading this news, I need the Unwind App ASAP, or will that be a Widget too?

 

[tgwaste]

I need a small widget that shows next event, stock price and weather in one widget because apple LOVES wasting vast amounts of screen space.

 

[Apple_Robert]

We need a MacRumors widget. @arn

I appreciate the article, even if I may not use any of the apps mentioned. It is good to see third party making it happen early.

 

[jicon]

Hour long class on Canadian History immediately has me thinking of things muttered to me by my family. My British father always told me growing up 'Canadian History? You can write Canadian history on a postage stamp!' Anyway, I digress...

I suppose these widgets spruce up a home screen a bit, but really, they come at a real estate cost. I feel best served for now by the dedicated widget screen until more thorough and engaging widgets exist.

 

[Akrapovic]

I've got the Parcel one (fantastic app), although the Widget isn't showing up for me. I assume it's meant to be listed in with the other Apple widgets?

 

[sfwalter]

I've got the Parcel one (fantastic app), although the Widget isn't showing up for me. I assume it's meant to be listed in with the other Apple widgets?

I installed a few of the apps listed and none of them show up in the list when I attempt to add one. I am on beta 4 on an iPad Pro.

 

[Caliber26]

Let’s just say that I am whelmed by these widgets. The only one I remotely find useful is the batteries widget, which sits on my secondary Home Screen all by itself.

 

[Akrapovic]

Let’s just say that I am whelmed by these widgets. The only one I remotely find useful is the batteries widget, which sits on my secondary Home Screen all by itself.

I felt the same, although as I adjust how I use apps and as apps add these, I can see the users now. With my new job I'm using my calendar a lot more, and that widget is good. The activity one isn't bad for my fitness too. I can envision good ones for news apps, Slack, MyFitnessPal, Pintrest.

I think this will be like original apps. When the AppStore came along we were arsing about with silly drinking beer apps. It took a wee while for app makers to fully get to grips with what was possible. I think they'll eventually become useful with the third party developers.

 

[BlueCreek]

I use widgets for Streaks and Things, both of which are essentially useless under the new format. Checking off a quick To Do in a widget or marking a streak as completed, were the entire purpose of these widgets. If I want to open the app, I'll just hit the app icon.

Some widgets still make sense based on the real time information they provide but I can see the usefulness of a large segment of widgets being deprecated.

I think that may be Apple’s fault, they’ve stated that widgets are not meant to be interactive and are only to offer information at a glance.

 

[now i see it]

Always-On home screen widgets are going to chomp down RAM. I bet the iPhones w 2GB of ram are going to feel the pain if the home screen gets populated with these. But then again... If you can see the home screen, you're not doing anything, so maybe not an issue

 

[Matsku]

After I downloaded and setupped the apps, the widgets wont even show up, I use ios 14 beta 3 on a xr, is this like a beta 4 thing or?

 

[Matsku]

Found the reason!

 

[TruBleu]

Checkout widget wizard. I really like the medium calendar widget that shows more text. And the step counter is nice too.

TestFlight - Apple

Using TestFlight is a great way to help developers test beta versions of their apps.

testflight.apple.com

 

[jarman92]

Any word on whether Apple will continue to allow “legacy” widgets? They’re all still working in the betas so I’m hoping the continue after the public release. And hopefully we’ll be able to put them above the new ones 🤞🏻

 

[tshane]

I've got the Parcel one (fantastic app), although the Widget isn't showing up for me. I assume it's meant to be listed in with the other Apple widgets?

Yes, it's with all of the Apple Widgets. Same process. I've tried the small and medium sizes. Works just fine.

 

[cwwilson]

Android still has Apple beat by a light year when it comes to widgets. I’m glad Apple is dipping their toe in the water here but lets be real, interactive widgets are fun and actually useful, especially ones with switches/toggles.

I still remember when I first powered on my EVO 4G and the HTC weather/clock widget activated. It had beautiful animations depending the conditions outside.

I know some toggles can be included in the Control Center now but if we’re going to have widgets it’d be nice to include the ability to have them on the home screen too. There are also some widgets that could act like mini versions of the app itself which is also neat...or would be if/when Apple allows it.

 

[M115CLE]

I've got the Parcel one (fantastic app), although the Widget isn't showing up for me. I assume it's meant to be listed in with the other Apple widgets?

Can you link the parcel app to your delivery accounts like DPD, UPS, Royal Mail etc so it auto populates the Parcel App or do you have to manually input the tracking number every time?

 

[Akrapovic]

Can you link the parcel app to your delivery accounts like DPD, UPS, Royal Mail etc so it auto populates the Parcel App or do you have to manually input the tracking number every time?

I think you do it half manually. If you have the tracking number on your clipboard it'll do it (a legit use for the clipboard reading lol)
[automerge]1596665304[/automerge]

Yes, it's with all of the Apple Widgets. Same process. I've tried the small and medium sizes. Works just fine.

Cheers my man. Not working for me, but then again this is all beta so I'm sure it'll get fixed soon enough

 

[macduke]

I wish that when you tapped the dots at the bottom while editing a home screen, you could drag and drop the order of the home screens around. It would be nice to be able to prioritize things different, such as for the weekend I could bring out a certain set of normally hidden widgets. Will the smart stack work with third parties? Like if I have a delivery active, it will show that in the rotation? It would be great if the home screen presented was based on time of day. Like during the day I have a lot of Email, DropBox, Slack, etc going on, but in the evening it would be nice if it showed me Photos, YouTube, Activity, etc. I've wanted that functionality for a while on my Apple Watch so it would automatically change my watch face. Hopefully they add that next year. Would keep things more focused on the tasks at hand.

We need a MacRumors widget. @arn

I appreciate the article, even if I may not use any of the apps mentioned. It is good to see third party making it happen early.

I imagine there will be an RSS feed app that adds support for widgets. Then you could have MacRumors pull in that way with the latest headlines.

In the News app you can follow a MacRumors channel, but as of yet there is no way to add a channel to a widget, just "today" or "topic." Hopefully they add that in the future.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wish that when you tapped the dots at the bottom while editing a home screen, you could drag and drop the order of the home screens around. It would be nice to be able to prioritize things different, such as for the weekend I could bring out a certain set of normally hidden widgets. Will the smart stack work with third parties? Like if I have a delivery active, it will show that in the rotation? It would be great if the home screen presented was based on time of day. Like during the day I have a lot of Email, DropBox, Slack, etc going on, but in the evening it would be nice if it showed me Photos, YouTube, Activity, etc. I've wanted that functionality for a while on my Apple Watch so it would automatically change my watch face. Hopefully they add that next year. Would keep things more focused on the tasks at hand.


I imagine there will be an RSS feed app that adds support for widgets. Then you could have MacRumors pull in that way with the latest headlines.

In the News app you can follow a MacRumors channel, but as of yet there is no way to add a channel to a widget, just "today" or "topic." Hopefully they add that in the future.

I appreciate the reply. I have MR on my watch RSS feed which works very well. Nice not having to pull my phone out of my pocket to check MR for updates. I didn’t think to try and add MR to the News+ app. I will give it a shot.

 

[pookynubber]

Ugh, I must be old because I'm annoyed with companies and products that just add a "Y" or "LY" to their name. I know, I'm curmudgeonly - I don't want to be but jeez, why so lazy.

"Hey I got a app"
"What's it about"
"Food"
"Foodly"!!!!!

 

[ipedro]

I think that may be Apple’s fault, they’ve stated that widgets are not meant to be interactive and are only to offer information at a glance.

It is Apple’s fault. These new widgets are display only. You can’t interact with them. Tapping a widget sends you to the app.

 

[ipedro]

Any word on whether Apple will continue to allow “legacy” widgets? They’re all still working in the betas so I’m hoping the continue after the public release. And hopefully we’ll be able to put them above the new ones 🤞🏻

Yes, they’re allowing them but app developers have to pick either one. Apple built a special area for these widgets that are grouped together below the new widgets.