Choose a widget for a real task
Start with information you check daily: the next event, a reminder list, or weather. Leave a small area for widgets before arranging your files. A themed mockup can suggest a layout, but it does not prove that an app offers the exact widget shown.
Add a widget to the desktop
Use the widget gallery to see what is available on your Mac. Keep the first layout small so you can check it during normal work.
- Control-click an empty area of wallpaper and choose Edit Widgets.
- Find a widget in the gallery and click it to add it, or drag it to a position you choose.
- Select Done when the layout is ready.
Edit, resize, or move the widget
Control-click an existing widget to inspect its options. Use Edit when offered, choose an available size, or drag the widget to move it. Some widgets do not expose editable information. Choose the smallest size that still answers your question without making details difficult to read.
Use an eligible iPhone widget
An iPhone widget can appear in the gallery when the device and account requirements are met. Check these before assuming that a missing widget is a desktop-layout problem.
- The iPhone runs iOS 17 or later.
- Both devices use the same Apple Account.
- The iPhone is near the Mac or connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Enable the iPhone widget option in Desktop & Dock settings.
Check visibility and color settings
In System Settings > Desktop & Dock, check whether widgets are shown on the desktop. The appearance labels vary: Sonoma uses Widget style, while newer releases may use Dim widgets on desktop. Choose the available monochrome or full-color behavior that keeps text readable. A faded widget does not necessarily mean the app has stopped working.
Source: Apple: Desktop & Dock settings ↗
Troubleshoot a missing widget or edit option
Check the gallery and the individual widget’s menu before looking for a separate styling app.
| What happened | What to check |
|---|---|
| No desktop widget option | Check whether your Mac runs Sonoma 14 or later. |
| An iPhone widget is missing | Check the account, iOS version, proximity or Wi-Fi, and the iPhone widget setting. |
| There is no Edit option | That widget may not allow its displayed information to be changed. |
| You are asked to open an app on iPhone | Follow the message on the iPhone; the app may not be installed on the Mac. |
Remove a widget and recover space
Control-click the widget and choose Remove Widget. If you change your mind, return to the gallery to add it again. Removing an unused widget is often better than shrinking every component in the layout.