Since watchOS 10, the Apple Watch has been equipped with a widget system. The interactive widgets with information are a central part of the interface on the Apple Watch. You can compare them with glances, a kind of information cards that could be seen on the first generations of Apple Watch.
This is a smart stack of widgets that appear at the right time and are automatically adjusted to the context. In addition, you have a handy widget where you can place shortcuts to apps. Handy if you choose a watch face where you prefer not to place complications.
Smart stack of widgets
The Smart Stack contains widgets with information that appears at the right time and adapts to the context using suggestions. For example, at the start of the day, Weather shows you the forecast, and if you’re traveling, the Smart Stack shows you boarding passes from Wallet. Calendar and Reminders appear at the top when you have a meeting or task scheduled.
Also, active apps, like Podcasts or Music, automatically slide up so you can use them right away. Thanks to the smart stack, you can set a beautiful watch face, like Portraits, and still see important information quickly.
Show Apple Watch widgets
With the arrival of widgets and a new interface, Apple has changed the functions of the Digital Crown and the side button. If you want to show the Widgets, you just have to turn the Digital Crown and then you can scroll through the smart stack. By continuing to scroll, you will eventually open the home screen with apps. Want to see the app overview right away? Then press the Digital Crown.
In addition, you can also display the widgets by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. You can open the control panel by pressing the side button.
Edit watchOS widgets
- Show the smart stack by turning the Digital Crown
- Place your finger on a widget to activate editing mode
- Tap the red button to remove a widget
- Use the plus button at the top to add a new one
- Tap the yellow pin button to pin a widget to the top
- Select ‘Done’ to complete editing
Complication widget
At the bottom of the widget list, you will also find a complication widget. This gives you the option to add three complications from apps to the widget. This gives you quick access to these apps from a single view.
While editing the stack, tap the plus button in the widget to add new complications. You can remove a complication using the red button.
Interactive widgets
Since watchOS 11, some widgets in the Smart Stack are also interactive. This means that you can start tasks from the widget without having to open the corresponding application. For example, you can turn on the lights, open the door or start a workout.
Live activities
On an Apple Watch running watchOS 11 or later, Live Activities are supported and will automatically appear in the Smart Stack. This way, you can stay on top of the latest sports scores and know when your Uber is arriving. Media apps can also use Live Activities. You can customize the behavior for these widgets in Settings â–¸ Smart Stack â–¸ Live Activities.
How smart stack works
Widgets for Apple Watch work a little differently than those on, say, an iPhone. They’re in a Smart Stack that automatically shows relevant widgets at the top of the list. Since watchOS 11, you’ll even see widget suggestions based on your activity, the weather, or your surroundings. You can customize the behavior of these widgets under Settings ▸ Smart Stack ▸ Widget Suggestions.
The yellow pin button allows you to pin widgets to the top while editing the stack. These will then always be shown first, followed by the suggestions from the stack.
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