Many productivity apps on iPhones have widgets that can help you be even more productive. These widgets provide quick access to information at a glance and save you precious time. Here are the ones I use.
1
Reminders
You don’t need to download a third-party app on your iPhone to manage simple tasks when the built-in Reminders app is around. You can easily create reminders and set their due date, time, location, and priority.
And with the widget on your Home Screen, you can easily view your important reminders and check them off without opening the app.
2
Gmail
If you want to ensure that no email is unread, consider adding the Gmail widget to your Home Screen. Its Email Updates widget option allows you to see a small preview of the three latest and unread emails and open them so you can stay on top of your communications.
You can even start composing an email by tapping the pencil icon in the widget—no need to open the app first.
Download: Gmail (Free)
3
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is packed with several useful widget options. For instance, the Quick Actions option provides useful shortcuts like Google Search, incognito mode, and Google Lens. With this widget, you can reduce the steps needed to start a search, browse anonymously, or do a reverse image search.
There’s even a Password Manager option to quickly access your passwords and autofill information. Although not for productivity, you can add the Chrome Dino Game option to your iPhone’s Home Screen if you’re looking for a fun iPhone widget to use between breaks.
Download: Google Chrome (Free)
4
Google Calendar
Many people use Google Calendar to efficiently organize their schedules, whether for work or personal life. The most important features are upcoming events and meetings.
The widget makes them instantly visible, ensuring that important updates are within quick view and that you can easily access them if you need to make adjustments.
Download: Google Calendar (Free)
Yes, the iPhone does have a Notes app that you can use to place notes on your Home Screen. However, the Sticky Widgets app is for those who want a sticky notes app similar to Sticky Notes on Windows or Stickies on Mac.
And the best part is that you can customize how it looks by changing things like the font and background.
Download: Sticky Widgets (Free, subscription available)
6
Evernote
Evernote is a comprehensive note-taking app that can help you create, organize, and sync notes and tasks, as well as sync them across devices.
I like the Actions option in particular, as it gives me access to several useful shortcuts for creating new notes, tasks, scans, and sketches. If you just want to see your recent notes and tasks, the Evernote widget has options for each of those as well.
Download: Evernote (Free, subscription available)
7
Slack
The Slack app allows you to keep all work-related conversations in one place using channels and direct messages. If you want to stay updated about a particular workspace, add the Slack widget to your Home Screen. It’s a small widget that doesn’t provide any previews, but it at least shows you how many unread messages you have and mentions that need your direct attention.
I like this widget because while notification badges can be useful when notifying you of a message, it doesn’t tell you which workspace it comes from. But by setting up a widget for a workspace, you can know how much catching up you need to do in that particular one.
Download: Slack (Free, subscription available)
8
Jomo
Jomo helps me when I need to limit my screen time, especially during busy periods when I cannot afford to be distracted. The gist is that you create rules that block certain apps and websites while active, which has benefits like reducing distractions, encouraging intentional use, and supporting habit formation. In the end, this can boost your productivity and focus levels.
An example of a rule would be to block all social media and entertainment apps from 9 AM to 5 PM. Another would be to block Instagram for 30 minutes, or after you open it five times. You can also access your profile tab to see your screen usage statistics and insights on how much screen time you have reduced.
The Jomo widget has an option that allows you to view your rules and access them from the Home Screen. It even has a shortcut to create a new rule.
Download: Jomo (Free, subscription available)
Due to the limited space on the iPhone Home Screen, I use two to five widgets at a time, depending on my productivity goals. I spread them across several pages to ensure that important app icons aren’t hidden.
These apps also make good Lock Screen widgets, so consider the ones you need when customizing your iPhone’s Lock Screen. This way, you can access the apps quickerwithout having to go to the Home Screen first.
