How to Use Widget Stacks Without Cluttering Your iPhone

A widget stack puts multiple widgets in one Home Screen space. It is useful when you want weather, calendar and photos without giving each a permanent tile. Apple also offers a Smart Stack that can rotate relevant widgets based on context. A fixed widget is better when you always want the aquarium visible.

Create or add a stack

According to Apple’s widget guide ↗, you can add a Smart Stack from the widget gallery: touch and hold the Home Screen, tap Edit, then Add Widget, and select a Smart Stack. You can also drag one widget onto another to create your own stack. Widgets in a custom stack need to fit the same size.

Control what appears

Touch and hold the stack, then choose Edit Stack. You can reorder widgets and change Smart Rotate or Widget Suggestions, depending on your iOS version. If you want a calendar first thing in the morning and another widget later, rotation may help. If you rely on a specific clock being visible, turn rotation off or keep that clock outside the stack.

When a stack helps—and when it does not

• Good fit: several widgets of the same size that you check at different times.
• Less useful: a decorative aquarium you want to see every time you unlock your phone.
• Simple compromise: keep the aquarium fixed and stack two information widgets on another page.

Stacks save space, but hiding information behind swipes can make it slower to reach. Test the arrangement for a day before adding more. Our size guide explains how much space each widget takes, and the layout ideas offer ways to balance function and appearance.