How to install and add Widgets to the Android screen: how to find them

While using an Android device, the owner has to deal with unusual terms and concepts, various utilities that make working with a smartphone and tablet more comfortable. One of the important elements is a “widget” - a program that can be placed on the desktop and controlled using settings. It is not surprising that every beginner is interested in how to install, configure, and if necessary, remove widgets from a mobile gadget.

What is a widget and why is it needed?

A widget is a small application or one of its elements, which in most cases is located on the desktop and is used to solve a variety of tasks. It is designed to display information and control a mobile device. Using this element, you can obtain information about CPU load, battery status, time, weather, exchange rates, and find out the latest news.

Widget is an important component of the Android operating system interface. Unlike regular applications, you can launch it without opening a new window or taskbar. A significant group of such elements are endowed with the ability to activate the programs of which they are a part.

An important feature of widgets is the variability of borders. Some elements do not exceed the minimum size of 1x1 and resemble a regular shortcut, others can be stretched to the maximum and occupy the entire screen. This is done so that the user can choose in which part of the display to place it. Most mobile devices already have a number of basic interactive elements installed as part of popular programs. In addition to size, they can have different shapes and designs.

As you can see, a widget is a program that “lives” on the screen of a smartphone or tablet, and allows you to receive up-to-date information, as well as comfortably control the device.

Features of web widgets

Such applications are located directly on websites. They can be made in the form of a window leading to a third-party resource. At the same time, a web document is loaded into the program itself. Thus, not only different options are combined on one page, but also sites. This combination provides high functionality.

Interactive

These include interface elements whose operation can be influenced by the user himself. For example, send short messages, enter route planning data, etc.

Absolutely all users are familiar with them. Everyone has icon-buttons “VKontakte”, “Instagram”, “Twitter” and others on their mobile screen or PC monitor. They are mounted on the website so that visitors can share exciting information. This is a kind of confirmation that if information is disseminated, it means it is useful and can interest users.

Non-interactive

They differ from interactive ones in that their work cannot be influenced. They display content regardless of user actions.

These include any informers: calendars, exchange rate certificates, weather forecasts.

How to install a widget on Android

Once you have a general idea of what a widget is, it’s worth figuring out how to add it to your desktop. The widget installation process may vary slightly depending on the specific smartphone model and software used. In Android version 3.0 and higher it looks like this:

Open the main screen of your smartphone.
Click on the cross icon located at the bottom left.
The main screen will display widgets, wallpapers, desktops, application shortcuts and other icons installed on the phone.
Go to the “Widgets” section and find the element you need (the list can be scrolled to the right or left).
Tap on it to move it to the main screen.

Another option involves adding a widget by highlighting the desired icon by simply clicking and dragging it to the desired location.

There is another way to add an application element to the home screen:

Open the phone menu and go to the “Widgets” tab.
When the list of installed items appears, select the one you want to move to the home screen.
Without releasing your finger, drag it to the desired place.

Why do you need widgets on your phone?

Life without a mobile device is now simply impossible. Modern means of communication are equipped with appropriate elements that cannot be dispensed with. The battery charge level and the amount of free memory are what the user pays attention to first. No less important are control applications responsible for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the functioning of other equipment.

It is impossible not to note the purely visual appeal of the mini-program buttons that decorate the interface, making it not only convenient, but also stylish. Of course, all the data provided by widgets can be found independently on the Internet.

But with their help it will be possible to do this much easier and faster.

Based on your own interests and preferences, you can easily select the right applications for your mobile phone and receive only the information that is necessary. In an attempt to stand out among competitors, developers are constantly improving, introducing new unique programs for each device model.

The question: where to get and how to configure widgets is very easy to solve. You need to go into your phone settings and select the required elements from those offered. If unexpected difficulties arise during the installation process, you can get guidance on what to do through the “Help” option.

How to set up widgets on Android

As mentioned earlier, widgets are programs, but they appear on the screen as a regular shortcut. They differ in shape, design and size, but some have strictly fixed boundaries, while others have arbitrary boundaries. It is these elements that can be easily changed in size depending on the needs of the user. To enlarge or reduce a widget, you need to do a few simple manipulations:

Go to the main screen.
Find the widget you need and touch it with your finger.
Hold the icon until a frame appears, outlining the borders on four sides.

It can be stretched and compressed depending on where the widget will be located and what tasks to solve.

To reduce the size, you need to drag the border lines inside the frame.
To enlarge, on the contrary, pull the sides towards the edge of the display.

When the desired result is achieved, you just need to tap on an empty space on the screen. The widget's borders will disappear, and the widget itself will retain the new format.

You can perform a lot of different manipulations with interactive elements on Android devices, not just change the size and shape.

Thus, the owner of the device has the opportunity to customize this or that interactive element to his liking, in particular, transform the appearance by making it translucent.

If we are talking about informers (for example, “Weather”, “News”, “Battery”, “Currency Rates”, “Clock”, etc.), you can change the number and order of their arrangement.

Widget lovers can completely change this or that widget by customizing the program to suit themselves. To do this you need:

Select the desired widget, for example, Ya.Weather. When you select an icon, the system will transfer it to the context menu.
Start setting up parameters (the screenshot shows which parameters can be changed).
After completing the process, click on the “Create widget” button located at the bottom of the screen.
When the shortcut appears on the desktop, you can go to the program menu itself and make additional settings.

Types of widgets for the site

One of the most important goals of a website is to attract the visitor's attention and then convert him into a future client. Already at the very beginning, when creating an online resource, marketers and designers strive to design it in such a way that it looks attractive and, most importantly, increases the flow of orders.

For example, the site has posted a new offer for customers, but buyers are in no hurry to take advantage of it. Marketers and site administrators monitor and analyze user behavior to find out the reason for this situation. It happens that guests do not see promotions and offers, since they are located at the very bottom of the footer, while the user only looked at the site header and did not scroll down. Then it would be logical to move the shares higher or use widgets.

1. Pop-ups

Pop-up is a pop-up window with information containing a hot offer. This widget is usually displayed in the first seconds of its appearance on the site or after some time. An example of a pop-up is shown in the picture.

This widget helps draw the visitor’s attention to available promotions and offers. Perhaps the guest will leave his information if in return you offer a discount, etc. With the help of a pop-up, you will replenish the database: a discount on the first order will help gain customer loyalty and make him a permanent one.

Unfortunately, as practice shows, website visitors do not always like such widgets. In the past, pop-up forms were used too often and were more likely to annoy visitors because they advertised unnecessary sites and got in the way. Now widgets are used more competently, but users still remember this and are wary of them.

When creating a pop-up, it is important to think through every detail. The information inside the window should be of interest, catch the eye, and the design should not be boring.

Here are some ways to grab your visitors' attention:

bright and rich colors;
pleasant faces of people;
fonts are large and clear;
high quality images;
interactive forms.

Recommendation: add a button to quickly close the pop-up so that visitors are not annoyed and have the right to choose.

Sometimes the widget appears at the moment when the site user is about to leave the resource. His mouse cursor moves to close the tab, but then a pop-up appears, the task of which is to attract the client’s attention.

If the widget is installed correctly and thoughtfully, it will increase conversion on the site. You should take into account the time when there is the greatest influx of visitors to the site, make the offer itself attractive, and work on its design.

2. Chatbots

Another effective widget that allows you to interest visitors is online chats with a consultant. Typically, the chatbot is located in the corner of the screen. Online consultants have many advantages: updating the database, communicating with potential clients in real time, pushing the visitor to take an action (call, place an order). The widget may be accompanied by sound.

Expert commentary

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Below are recommendations for the design of chatbots:

It is recommended to present correspondence as if the communication is from a living person who is helping with the consultation. To achieve a similar effect, they use icons and icons, various forms for correspondence.
To achieve a greater effect of a “live” consultant, the bot is depicted with a real photo and name. It is not advisable to use typical photographs of people smiling. Upload an avatar that will be as similar as possible to a real employee of your company.
The chatbot should be part of the site, that is, the color scheme and design should be as close as possible to the overall design of the resource. It’s a good idea to use animation effects instead of bright design, which will spoil the overall concept of the site.

How to move a widget on the home screen

Since widgets are classified as "live" shortcuts, they can be freely moved, changing their location on the home screen, or dragged to any of the existing desktops and even to the lock screen. Moreover, such manipulations will not affect the functionality of these interactive elements in any way.

So, if there is a need to change the location of the widget, you need to touch the icon and, without releasing your finger, drag it to a new location within one screen. If you want to place an element on another desktop, you need to select its icon and, holding it, move it to the right or left end of the screen. When a blank page appears, remove your finger. The selection will be removed, and the widget itself will receive a new “registration”.

How to remove a widget on Android

Widgets are considered an important component of the Android interface, since without them it will be impossible to optimize the operation of a mobile device. But when there are a lot of these elements, they begin to get in the way on the desktop. And then you have to get rid of some of them. The removal process, as well as the installation process, is extremely simple and takes a couple of minutes. For this you will need:

Select a widget by touching it with your finger and holding it for a few seconds.
Without letting go, move it to the top of the screen, where the icon with the image of a basket is located. When overlaying the widget, it will change color from gray to red.

Now, as soon as you release your finger, the widget will be deleted. As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. On some devices, deleting a widget is even easier. You need to select the shortcut and wait for the context menu to appear. Select the “Delete” option and confirm the action.

Callback widget

When used correctly, it significantly increases the efficiency of the resource:

It is recommended to place it at the bottom of the page on the right side. For display, they usually take an image of a bright-colored handset (red, blue, purple, etc.).
The element should not be overloaded with a lot of unnecessary information. It is enough to indicate the time period during which the operator will call the interested user back.
The mini-application should not cover other parts of the interface and content.

Where to find widgets on Android - list of the best

Widgets have been accompanying Android device owners for a long time. Over time, they improve and their numbers increase. Those who like to use unusual features on their gadget know that a wide range of widgets are available in the Google Play application store. Fans of interactive elements will find it useful to know the list of the best widgets for Android available right now.

Rating	Characteristic
Amber Weather Widget	A current application that includes about 90 widgets for every taste. It contains 7 daily forecasts, weather reports, severe conditions warnings.
Battery Widget Reborn	The battery widget provides information about the status of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, battery in the form of a graph and a circular indicator.
Beautiful Widgets	The universal application contains a lot of popular widgets that can be customized to your taste.
Calendar Widget	The app offers a variety of calendar widgets and a huge selection of themes to customize.
Google Keep	A simple and effective application for creating text and voice notes and sharing them with other users.

4.8 / 5 ( 19 votes)