How to Add Widgets on Mac: The Ultimate Guide (2024)
Introduction:
Want to know how to add widgets on Mac? Widgets are your Mac’s secret weapon for productivity and personalization. These handy tools deliver information at a glance, right on your desktop or in Notification Center. From weather forecasts to calendar events, stock updates, and quick notes, widgets can transform your Mac experience. Let’s dive into how to harness their power, including how to use your favorite iPhone widgets on your Mac!
How to Add Widgets in Your Mac’s Notification Center:
- Open Notification Center: Click the clock in the top-right corner of your screen, or swipe left with two fingers from the right edge of your trackpad.
- Click “Edit Widgets”: Look for the “Edit Widgets” button at the bottom and click it.
- Explore the Widget Gallery: A treasure trove of widgets awaits! Scroll through categories like Weather, Calendar, Stocks, Reminders, and more.
- Add a Widget to Your Mac: Click the “+” button on any widget you fancy. It’ll instantly appear in your Notification Center.
- Rearrange & Customize: Click and drag widgets to change their order. Some widgets (like Weather) offer customization options for location, size, or display details.
- Click “Done”: When you’re happy with your setup, click “Done.”
How to Add Widgets in Your Mac’s Desktop (macOS Big Sur and Later):
Widgets aren’t just for Notification Center! Bring them to your desktop for constant access:
- Right-Click the Desktop: Click and hold on an empty area of your desktop.
- Click “Edit Widgets”: This option will appear in the menu. Click it.
- Follow the Same Steps to Add Widgets to Your Mac: The widget gallery will open, and you can add, rearrange, and customize widgets just like in Notification Center.
Creating Smart Stacks:
Smart Stacks are dynamic widget bundles that automatically rotate throughout the day to show the most relevant information at the right time. To make one:
- Drag and Drop: In the widget gallery or Notification Center, drag one widget on top of another.
- Stack It Up: Keep adding widgets to the stack until you’re satisfied.
- Swipe to Cycle: On your desktop or Notification Center, swipe through the stack to see different widgets.
How to Use iPhone Widgets on Your Mac:
Love your iPhone widgets? You can use them on your Mac too! Here’s how:
- Check Requirements:
- Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 17 or later.
- Both your iPhone and Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID.
- Your iPhone and Mac need to be close to each other or on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Enable iPhone Widgets:
- Go to the Apple menu and select “System Settings.”
- Click on “Desktop & Dock.”
- Scroll down to the “Widgets” section and turn on “Use iPhone Widgets.”
- Find Your iPhone Widgets:
- Open the widget gallery on your Mac (from Notification Center or the desktop).
- You’ll now see your iPhone widgets available to add.
Changing Widget Settings:
You can change the settings for how widgets appear on your Mac:
- Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu and select “System Settings.” [Image: Screenshot of Apple Menu > System Settings]
- Click Desktop & Dock: Find and click on the “Desktop & Dock” option in the sidebar. [Image: Screenshot of Desktop & Dock in System Settings]
- Scroll Down to Widgets: Scroll down in the right pane until you find the “Widgets” section.
- Adjust Settings: Here you can change the following settings:
- Show Widgets: Choose where you want to see widgets (on the Desktop, in Stage Manager, or both).
- Widget Style: Choose between Automatic, Monochrome, or Full-color.
- Use iPhone Widgets: Enable this option to use widgets from your iPhone on your Mac (requires iOS 17 or later).
Recommended Widgets for Every Mac User:
- Productivity: Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Screen Time
- News: Apple News, Smart News, RSS Reader
- Weather: Weather (Apple), CARROT Weather
- Finance: Stocks, Cryptocurrency
- Music: Music, Spotify, Podcasts
Troubleshooting Widget Woes:
- Widget Not Appearing: Restart your Mac or try removing and re-adding the widget.
- Widget Not Updating: Check your internet connection and make sure the app associated with the widget is updated.
Third-Party Widget Wonderland:
Many apps offer their own widgets. Check the App Store for options like:
- Fantastical (Calendar): Beautiful and feature-rich calendar widget.
- Things (Task Management): Keep your to-do list on your desktop.
- Overcast (Podcasts): Quick access to your favorite podcasts.
- Spark (Email): Stay on top of your inbox.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how to add widgets on Mac, you can unleash your Mac’s full potential with widgets! They’re the perfect tool to make your Mac more useful and personal. Experiment, customize, and make your Mac truly yours!
Getting Shortuct Error? Read this guide
FAQs
Q: How do I add widgets to my Mac?
A: You can add widgets to your Mac in two ways: through the Notification Center or directly on your desktop (for macOS Big Sur and later). Open Notification Center by clicking the clock in the top-right corner or swiping left with two fingers. Click ‘Edit Widgets’ at the bottom, then browse the gallery and click the ‘+’ button on any widget you want to add. For desktop widgets, right-click on the desktop, click ‘Edit Widgets,’ and follow the same steps.
Q: Can I customize widgets on my Mac?
A: Yes, many widgets offer customization options for size, content, or display settings. Click on the widget you want to customize to see the available options.
Q: What are Smart Stacks on Mac?
A: Smart Stacks are groups of widgets that automatically rotate throughout the day to show the most relevant information at the right time. To create one, drag one widget on top of another in the widget gallery or Notification Center.
Q: Can I use iPhone widgets on my Mac?
A: Yes, if your iPhone is running iOS 17 or later and is signed in with the same Apple ID as your Mac, you can use iPhone widgets on your Mac. Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock and turn on ‘Use iPhone widgets’.
Q: What are some of the best Mac widgets?
A: Some popular and useful Mac widgets include Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Screen Time, Apple News, Weather, Stocks, Music, Spotify, Podcasts, Fantastical (calendar), Things (task management), Overcast (podcasts), and Spark (email).
Q: How do I remove widgets from my Mac?
A: To remove a widget, open Notification Center or the desktop widget editing mode. Click the ‘-‘ button (minus sign) on the widget you want to remove, or click and drag the widget off the screen.
