Where to find and add widgets on macOS

On a Mac, widgets live in the Notification Center, which you open by clicking the clock in the top-right corner of your screen. Click the "Edit" button at the bottom of the Notification Center panel, and you'll see a list of available widgets with plus signs next to them. Click the plus sign next to any widget you want to add, and it appears in your Notification Center when ready. You can rearrange them by dragging and dropping, or remove them by clicking the minus sign.

Starting with macOS Sonoma (released in 2023), Apple also added widgets to the Mac desktop itself, similar to how they work on iPhone. You can add these by right-clicking an empty area of your desktop, selecting "Edit widgets," and then clicking the plus button to browse available options. Desktop widgets work the same way as Notification Center widgets — you can move them around or delete them at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Notification Center widgets open from the clock icon in your menu bar and require no special setup beyond clicking a plus sign next to the widget you want.
  • Desktop widgets (macOS Sonoma and later) are added by right-clicking your desktop, selecting "Edit widgets," and choosing from available options.
  • Widgets pull data from the apps they represent, so a weather widget needs permission to access your location, just like the weather app itself.
  • Removing a widget from your Mac does not uninstall the app it came from or change any of that app's permissions.

What permissions widgets need and why

When you add a widget, it inherits the same permissions as the app it comes from. A weather widget needs location access because it shows your local forecast. A calendar widget needs calendar access. A news widget needs internet access. You don't grant new permissions just by adding a widget — the app already has those permissions if it's installed.

The difference is visibility: a widget shows that data on your desktop or in Notification Center without you opening the app. If you're uncomfortable with a particular app having location access, removing its widget won't change that — you'd need to go into System Settings and revoke the permission from the app itself. Conversely, if you trust an app but don't want its widget visible, removing the widget is a clean way to hide it without affecting the app's functionality.

Built-in widgets versus third-party widgets

Apple's own apps — Calendar, Weather, Stocks, News, Reminders, and others — come with widgets already available in the widget gallery. Third-party apps can also offer widgets if their developers built them. You'll see both types in the same "Edit widgets" menu, with no visual distinction between them.

Third-party widgets follow the same permission rules as built-in ones. The difference is that you're trusting both Apple's system and the third-party developer's code. If you're uncertain about a third-party app, you can always add its widget, test it, and remove it if you don't like how it behaves. Removing a widget is reversible and takes seconds.

Controlling widget data and refresh rates

Widgets refresh their data periodically — a weather widget updates every few hours, a news widget might refresh once a day. You don't control the refresh rate directly from the widget itself. Instead, the app that provides the widget decides how often it updates, and that decision is built into the app's code.

If a widget is updating too frequently and you're concerned about battery drain or data usage, your options are to remove the widget or adjust the app's settings in System Settings. Some apps let you change their background refresh behavior under System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Disabling background refresh for an app will slow down how quickly its widget updates, but it won't stop the widget from working entirely.

Moving and organizing widgets on your desktop

Desktop widgets (macOS Sonoma and later) can be dragged anywhere on your screen. Click and hold a widget, then drag it to a new position. You can stack multiple widgets in the same area, and macOS will show them in a small carousel that you can flip through by clicking arrows or swiping.

Notification Center widgets are organized vertically in the order you added them. To rearrange them, open the Notification Center, click "Edit," then drag the three horizontal lines next to each widget up or down. This is useful if you want your most-checked widgets at the top for faster access.

Removing widgets and what happens to your data

Removing a widget from your desktop or Notification Center does not delete any data, change app permissions, or uninstall the app. The widget straightforward stops appearing. If you add it back later, it will work exactly as it did before. Your calendar data, weather location, news preferences — all of it stays intact in the app itself.

If you want to actually revoke an app's permissions (like location access), you do that in System Settings under Privacy & Security, not by removing the widget. Removing the widget is just hiding the display; revoking permissions is what actually stops the app from accessing that data.

Troubleshooting widgets that won't appear or update

If you add a widget and it doesn't show up, first check that you're looking in the right place. Desktop widgets appear on your desktop; Notification Center widgets appear only when you open the Notification Center. If a widget appears but shows no data, the app might not have the permissions it needs. Check System Settings > Privacy & Security and confirm the app has access to location, calendar, or whatever data it requires.

If a widget stops updating, restart your Mac. Widgets sometimes freeze if an app crashes or if macOS runs into a memory issue. Restarting usually fixes it. If the problem persists, try removing the widget and adding it again. If the app itself is outdated, updating it from the App Store may also restore widget functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add widgets from apps that aren't installed on my Mac?

No. A widget only appears in the widget gallery if the app that provides it is installed. If you uninstall an app, its widget disappears from the gallery and from your desktop or Notification Center. You can reinstall the app anytime to get the widget back.

Do widgets use more battery than just opening the app?

Widgets use less battery than keeping an app open, but more than not using the app at all. A weather widget that updates every few hours uses minimal power. A widget that refreshes constantly or pulls large amounts of data could drain battery faster. If battery life is a concern, remove widgets you don't check regularly.

Can I customize what information a widget shows?

Some widgets have settings you can adjust by right-clicking the widget and selecting "Edit widget." Others don't offer customization. It depends on how the app developer built it. Check the widget itself first — if there's no edit option, the app doesn't support customization for that widget.

What's the difference between a widget and an app icon?

An app icon launches the full app. A widget shows live information from the app without opening it. You can see your calendar events in a calendar widget without clicking into the Calendar app. Widgets are meant for quick glances at information you check often.

If I remove a widget, will the app stop working?

No. Removing a widget only hides it from your desktop or Notification Center. The app continues to work normally, and you can still open it from Launchpad or Spotlight. Widgets are just another way to view an app's data — they're optional.