How to Install a Widget on Samsung Phones

Updated November 25, 2019

When it comes to customizing your device's display, Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets give you plenty of options for installing widgets. For example, if you know how to install a widget on Samsung phones, you can add a countdown calendar to your home screen that reminds you when an important date is approaching.

Instructions in this article apply to all Samsung smartphones and tablets.

What Are Widgets?

When you look at your phone and see the weather or the time displayed in the middle of the screen, you are looking at a widget. Widgets allow you to personalize what displays on your screen so that you're only getting the information you need at a glance. Many specific widgets, like 1Weather or Calendar, are available in the Play Store as standalone apps. Some are available in different sizes, letting you decide how much of the screen you want them to fill.

How to Add Widgets on a Samsung Phone or Tablet

To add a calendar widget that counts down to an important event:

Touch and hold on the home screen, then tap Widgets at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Calendar.
Touch and hold Countdown.
Drag-and-drop the widget where you want it to appear on your screen.
Select the event in your calendar that you want to count down to.
Choose the Background color and Background transparency, then tap the left arrow (<) next to Widget settings in the top-left corner.

You can rearrange widgets by touching and dragging them around the screen. To remove widgets, touch and hold the widget you want to delete, then tap remove.