Widgets have long been a part of iPhone and iPad experience. On your home screen, you can quickly view important information from the apps you choose. Tapping the widget would open up the app.
But starting with iOS and iPadOS 17, widgets are getting even better. Instead of just a static piece of information, you’re able to interact with widgets for an even better experience.
Here are the best interactive widgets for your iPhone or iPad.
1. Widgetive
Interactive widgets provide a big step up from the previous static options.Using an interactive widgetis quick and easy. If you’re interested in what you may do with interactive widgets, give Widgetive a try. Instead of information from a specific app, Widgetive is all about creating a perfect widget for your home screen. There are a wide variety of categories to choose from like timers, calculators, and even games. You can customize every part of the interactive widget including font, background, and more.
Widgetive is a free download for the iPhone and iPad. An optional subscription unlocks all the app’s widgets and additional customization.
Download:Widgetive(Free, subscription available)
2. Liftin’
Use Liftin’ to make workout tracking a breeze. Designed for weightlifting, the powerful app allows you to create the perfect workout for you. With the interactive widget, you can keep track of an upcoming workout and view information while it’s in progress. Get started with a simple press on the widget. You can even pause without needing to open up the app.
Liftin is free for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The free version is limited to five workouts per month. An optional subscription removes that limit and allows unlimited workouts.
Download:Liftin'(Free, subscription available)
3. CardPointers
Make the most of your credit cards with CardPointers. You probably have credit cards that can earn cash back, miles, and other perks. And the app helps redeem the best offers for whatever you are purchasing. With the interactive widgets you’re able to redeem offers, view card details for different spending categories, and see the best card to use at nearby stores.
You can download CardPointers for free. It’s for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. An optional subscription is needed to unlock all the app’s features.
Download:CardPointers(Free, subscription available)
4. Study With Subwords
Study With Subwords makes learning fun. You start by creating a study list, for example, a list of states and capital. The app will split the words into pieces, and you’ll put them back together. There are multiple learning modes, splitting types, and a study plan. The app’s interactive widget is a small puzzle you may solve directly in the widget. You can see new ones to solve throughout the day or jump to the next one whenever you want.
The app is free for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. An optional subscription will unlock all the features.
Download:Study With Subwords(Free, subscription available)
5. AppBlock
AppBlock is one of the best ways tohelp you stay off of your iPhone while working. Even the most disciplined of us sometimes get distracted by the latest social media craze or something else that zaps our productivity or takes away focus from something more important. AppBlock makes it easy to restrict access to apps that are becoming a distraction. With the interactive widget, you’re able to quickly block apps with a single touch and get to work.
For the iPhone and iPad, AppBlock is free, but you’ll need an optional subscription to unlock all the app’s features.
Download:AppBlock(Free, subscription available)
Turn your home screen into a calculating paradise with Calzy. The app’s interactive widget allows you to calculate almost anything without even needing to open up the app. For the widget, you can select from three keyboard types along with three themes. And the app itself can do a lot more with one of the best features being a Memory Area where you can save and reuse numerical values.
Calzy is for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Download:Calzy($4.99)
7. Tide Guide
If you live near the ocean, Tide Guide is a perfect app. It provides tide and marine weather information for any location around the world. And there are a host of different widgets to view the conditions from your home screen. There are two interactive options. The first shows a real-time tide clock. you may tap the center to switch between conditions. The other shows real-time weather data where you can tap the icon to change conditions.
The app is free for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. With the free version, you can check live conditions at a location. To unlock all widgets, detailed charts, future tables, and more, you need a subscription.
Download:Tide Guide(Free, subscription available)
Power up your productivity with Things. The task manager helps you better organize all of your to-dos in a well-designed and easy-to-use interface. And with the interactive widget, you can see a specific list of tasks and check them off without needing to open up the app.
The iPhone version also unlocks the Things Apple Watch app. There is a separate version of Things for the iPad and Mac.
Download:Things($9.99)
It’s sometimes hard to remember to keep in touch with friends and family. But Amato wants to help you improve those relationships. The app is easy to use, you’re able to add an important person and then receive interaction reminders. You can even see reminders for someone’s birthday or anniversary. With the app’s interactive widget, you can select a specific contact to see on your home screen and contact them with just a single tap.
The iPhone and iPad app is free to download, but an optional subscription is needed to use the interactive widgets, add unlimited contacts, import contacts, and more.
Download:Amato(Free, subscription available)
10. Time’s Up!
Time’s Up! is a different kind of timer app. It offers unique visual timers made for kids and kids at heart. There are five styles to select from like a puzzle that breaks a selected photo into jigsaw pieces and then puts them into place as time progresses. There are also more traditional options. With the app’s interactive widget, you’re able to pause, resume, and reset a timer without needing to open up the app.
The app is free and available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple TV. The free version offers four free timer runs. To unlock unlimited timers, you’ll need to make a single in-app purchase.
Download:Time’s Up!(Free, in-app purchases available)
11. Signals for HomeKit
Make your HomeKit lighting even more useful with Signals. The app can help turn your smart lights into communication devices. you may easily create a signal with a combination of compatible lights in your home. For example, if you want to tell everyone it’s time for dinner, you can flash all of the lights for three seconds in a blue color. You can also use other HomeKit devices, like motion detectors and buttons, to trigger a signal. With the interactive widget, you can trigger a signal with just a button push.
The app is free and for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A Signals Plus in-app purchase is needed to unlock the use of all widgets.
Download:Signals for HomeKit(Free, in-app purchases available)
With these interactive widgets, you can better interact with the apps you love right from the home screen of your iPhone or iPad. Whether turning on a light or starting a timer, you can do it with just a tap.
