iPad owners often limit themselves to basic widgets like Weather or Calendar, missing out on more powerful options available on the platform. As reported by Engadget, combining Apple’s built-in tools with third-party applications can significantly expand what your Home Screen and Today View can do.
Parcel
Parcel helps users monitor upcoming deliveries directly from the Home Screen without opening the application. It supports up to 300 delivery services, offers a map widget showing package locations, and allows orders to be added automatically by connecting an Amazon account or by scanning shipping barcodes. The free tier tracks up to three deliveries, while a premium subscription removes limits for $6.99 per year.
Home
The built-in Home widget enables one-tap actions for smart home accessories like lights, plugs, and garage doors. Users can touch and hold the widget to edit what specific accessories or scenes it displays. While it handles simple on and off toggles quickly, adjusting brightness, color, or thermostats still requires opening the main app.
(Not Boring) Weather
This weather widget features a 3D, video game-inspired design with interactive visuals for temperatures, conditions, and severe weather alerts. Data is sourced from established providers like Apple, AccuWeather, Foreca, and the National Weather Service. The app is free, but the real-time weather widget requires a membership priced at $14.99 per year.
Find My
Apple’s built-in Find My widget displays the last known location of your devices, AirTags, and trusted contacts directly on the Home Screen. The underlying network can locate offline or powered-off devices using nearby Apple products, and users can enable alerts if they leave items behind.
Endel
Endel generates AI-powered soundscapes tailored to help users focus, relax, or sleep, adjusting dynamically to circadian rhythms. Its widgets provide one-tap access to these soundscapes straight from the Home Screen, which works offline during travel. The free edition includes limited sessions, while a premium tier unlocks the full soundscape library and Focus Timer starting at $6.99 per month.
The native Mail widget can display recent unread messages, specific mailboxes, or emails from a designated VIP list. Adding someone to the VIP list places their messages prominently on the Home Screen, ensuring important correspondence from managers, clients, or family members is not missed.
Widgetsmith
Widgetsmith allows users to design custom widgets for dates, times, weather, calendars, reminders, and photos to match their aesthetic. Its standout feature is scheduling, which enables the same widget spot to display different information depending on the time of day. A premium subscription starting at $1.99 per month unlocks advanced weather tools and data.
Screen Time
The Screen Time widget gives users a quick look at their daily device usage and the apps they spend the most time on. With iPadOS 27, it includes schedules and time allowances that automatically cap usage for categories like entertainment, social media, and games.
Craft
Craft serves as a documents and planning app where widgets can pin specific documents, show recent files, or display a to-do list for checking off tasks. Users can assign different widgets to separate work or personal spaces, and the app’s premium subscription unlocks all features.
Journal
The Journal app allows users to type entries, handwrite notes, or add sketches using an Apple Pencil. Its Home Screen widget displays current writing streaks and rotating prompts to help users build a consistent journaling habit, with security options like Face ID and Touch ID to protect private entries.
