How to Use iPhone Widgets on Mac

With the introduction of iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, Apple takes the iPhone and Mac integration to the next level. Although the company supports widgets on Mac, the overall collection is still slim compared to iPhone and iPad. The company aims to tackle the situation by offering iPhone widgets on Mac. Starting with the macOS Sonoma update, you can easily add and use iPhone widgets on Mac.

Apple already supports iPhone apps on Mac. However, the entire experience is far from ideal. If you only want to glance over relevant information, use iPhone widgets on your Mac desktop. Before you start, meet the following requirements for a smooth process. Let’s get started.

iPhone Widgets on Mac: Requirements

The ability to use iPhone widgets on Mac is available on the latest iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma only. The latest software is accessible in the developer beta right now. Apple is expected to release the stable software build to general users in the Fall.

• Make sure your iPhone and Mac are on the same Apple ID.
• Enable iPhone widgets in Mac’s system settings.

Enable iPhone Widgets on Mac

While the option is enabled by default on Mac, we recommend checking it once to avoid any problems.

Step 1: Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner and choose System Settings from the context menu.

Step 2: Scroll to Desktop & Dock.

Step 3: Scroll to Widgets and enable the ‘Use iPhone widgets’ toggle.

How to Add iPhone Widgets on Mac

Now that you have met the relevant requirements, let’s check iPhone widgets in action on your Mac.

Step 1: Click the date and time in the top-right corner of the menu bar. Select Edit Widgets.

Step 2: It opens all the app widgets on your Mac.

Step 3: Select an app and find relevant widgets in different sizes. Click + beside a widget to add it to the notification center.

You can add as many iPhone widgets to the Mac and check all the relevant information without picking up the phone.

How to Place iPhone Widgets on Mac Desktop

Apple even goes a step ahead and lets you place the widgets on the desktop. You don’t need to open the notification center to check your iPhone widgets. While you can add a small number of widgets on a MacBook, the option is quite useful for those working with a big desk.

Step 1: Open the Notification Center and drag and drop the widget on the desktop.

Step 2: You can click Edit widgets to open all the widgets panel. Drag and drop any widget to the desktop, and you are good to go.

Unlike iOS, you can place Mac widgets in any position on the desktop. It’s good to see Apple offer such freedom to Mac users.

You can also right-click on the Mac desktop and select ‘Edit widgets’ to open the ‘All widgets’ menu.

Use iPhone Widgets on Mac

iPhone widgets on Mac aren’t in read-only mode all the time. It depends on the type of app widget you added on the desktop. For example, when you click on a Facebook widget, it opens the social media platform on the desktop web browser.

We also added Basecamp, OneDrive, and Instagram widgets on the Mac. Some widgets open in the Mac browser, while others ask you to continue on your iPhone to take a specific action. It depends on the type of iPhone widget you use on the Mac.

How to Remove iPhone Widgets on Mac

You can always remove irrelevant iPhone widgets on your Mac.

Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and select Edit widgets.

Step 2: Click ‘-‘ above the widget to remove it.

iPhone Widgets on Mac: Our Experience

Apple has done a commendable job of integrating iPhone widgets on Mac. When opening an app, the system automatically fades widgets in the background. We expect to see most apps opening the relevant information in the web version. It’s a much better user experience than continuing on iPhone.

Nevertheless, the widgets are most-useful for sports, social media, and tracking (package, flight, or train) apps.  

Check iPhone App Information on Mac

Are you following a live NBA or NFL game? Instead of always reaching for your iPhone, place the widget on the desk and track the score of your favorite team. You can place Google Photos, OneDrive, Basecamp, Alexa, and more app widgets that aren’t natively available on the Mac. Which app widgets do you plan to use on Mac? Share your preference in the comments below.