[IOS14] How to use "Widgetsmith" to freely create your favorite widgets
"Widgetsmith" that can be easily used even if it does not support Japanese
We have introduced a number of home screens that can be called works, customized using new features of iOS14, widgets, but the app used by many iPhone users who have appeared is "Widgetsmith". "Widgetsmith" has basic functions for free and can be used without user registration. The menu is in English because it does not support Japanese, but if you learn how to use it easily, you can freely create your own widget. In this article, I'll show you how to use "Widgetsmith" in the following order:
- What kind of app is "Widgetsmith"?
- How to use "Widgetsmith"
- Let's use "Widgetsmith"!
1. What kind of app is "Widgetsmith"?
"Widgetsmith" is an app developed by David Smith, an independent developer living in Virginia, USA.
Immediately after it was released at the same time as iOS 14 in September 2020, its popularity exploded, and at the time of writing this article, it is a popular app that has won first place in the "Top Free App" of the App Store. Even after its release, frequent updates have added new features and made various corrections. You can use the basic functions of the app for free, but you need to register for a fee (¥ 200 / month or ¥ 2,100 / year) to use widgets such as weather and tides. First of all, it is better to start with the free function.
When I tried how many widgets I could make with Widgetsmith, I was able to continue making more than 100 widgets.
2. How to use "Widgetsmith"
The basic usage flow of "Widgetsmith" is as follows.
- Select the widget of the size you want to make
- Let's make a widget
- Try to place the widget
- Try a little more advanced usage
3. Let's use "Widgetsmith"!
Follow the steps I introduced earlier to use "Widgetsmith" to place a calendar on your home screen.
1. Select the widget of the size you want to make
When you first launch "Widgetsmith", you'll see a screen like this. You can choose from three sizes of widgets: Small, Medium, and Large. As for the widget, Small uses 4 normal app icons, Medium uses 8 spaces, and Large uses 16 spaces. Here, let's choose the Small size.
2. Try to make a widget
Let's create the widget you want to display on the home screen with "Widgetsmith". Here, tap the widget in "Small Widgets" to customize it. You can customize it by tapping the default simple widget that displays the day and date in black and white. The following styles can be selected in "Widgetsmith". The amount of information that can be displayed at one time changes depending on the size of the widget.
Here, let's select the calendar format "Month". Menus with tabs overlapping at the bottom of the screen are items that can be customized.
Tap "Small # 1" on the upper left to display the completed image. You can readjust the colors and fonts by tapping the widget. You can also change the name by tapping the name of the widget. When you're done, tap "Save" in the upper right.
3. Try to place the widget
Now let's place the finished widget! Press and hold an empty part of the home screen to enter edit mode on the home screen (the same is true if you press and hold the app icon and select "Edit Home Screen" from the menu that appears). Tap the "+" icon displayed in the upper left of the screen. Type in the search window or scroll to find "Widgetsmith". Select the size of the widget you want to add and tap "Add Widget" at the bottom of the screen. Here, tap "Add Widget" while "Small" is displayed. The widget space is displayed on the home screen. You can adjust the positional relationship by long-pressing the widget or app icon. Tap the widget placed on the home screen to display the saved widget selection screen. If the widget you want to use is displayed in blue, tap the outside of the menu screen. A widget has been placed on the home screen!
4. Try a little more advanced usage
Widgets created with "Widgetsmith" can be specified to be replaced depending on the time zone. By tapping "Add a Timed Widget" under the widget in the "Widgetsmith" app, you can also set to switch to another widget at the specified time zone. You can add widgets by tapping the "+" mark. For example, you can set up an app that can display photos and replace your favorite photos every few hours to enjoy. You can also arrange multiple widgets of different sizes on the home screen to pursue functionality, or arrange your favorite photos according to your mood. Enjoy customizing your home screen with "Widgetsmith"!
(hato)
