Want to customize your Mac desktop easily? With macOS Sonoma, you can do wonders and also add widgets independently. Earlier, widgets were only in the Notification Center. Now they can sit on your desktop too.
This helps you check important information quickly. Here, I will explain how you can add widgets to your Mac desktop in Sonoma.
Enable Widgets for Your Mac Desktop
Start by enabling widgets on your Mac device. Head to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Show Widgets. But, wait! “On Desktop” must be turned on here. This step allows widgets to be placed on the desktop. Kep “In Stage Manager” option ignored.
Now, open the Widget Browser to add widgets. You can open this in two easy ways. First, click the time in the top-right corner. Doing this, you’ll be taken to the Notification Center on the Mac screen.
Now, from here, scroll a bit down so you can hit the Edit Widgets button. Second way: right-click on your desktop screen. Now choose the Edit Widgets that you’ll see in the dropdown menu.
Now, the widget browser will appear on the screen. You’ll see All Widgets on the left panel. This section shows widgets you can add now. You can pick from system apps or installed apps. Now, check if any app is capable of using widgets. Different sizes for each widget will be shown.
Select a widget size depending on your needs. Large widgets show more data but take up space. Small ones save space but show less info.
Drag and Arrange Widgets on Your Desktop
From here, we will now place widgets on the desktop, and for that, you need to drag a widget from the browser. This time, you are allowed to keep widgets anywhere on the Mac’s desktop. Alternatively, if you drag them from Notification Center, it will work fine.
Widgets automatically align using an invisible grid. This helps in keeping your desktop tidy. Beware! If you see widgets are sneaking, just change that setting. How to do that? Here’s how: head to View > Show View Options > Sort By. Now shuffle it from Snap to Grid to None.
You can also double-click to place a widget. It automatically sets in the next empty space.
Widgets can be moved by clicking and dragging. Set them as per your usage and convenience. Add a calendar, weather, or notes on the screen. You’ll see data without opening the full app.
Clicking a widget opens the full app version. Right-clicking allows you to resize or remove it. You can even drag it back to Notification Center. This lets you keep your desktop clean if needed.
Add iPhone Widgets to Your Mac Desktop
macOS Sonoma brings a very cool new feature. Using iPhone widgets on Mac is possible now. This works using Apple’s Continuity feature support. Let’s see how to enable iPhone widgets easily.
Head over the System Settings > now hit the Desktop & Dock option. Find and turn on the Use iPhone widgets toggle. Doing such a move lets your Mac access widgets from your iPhone.
Once enabled, go back to your desktop screen. Right-click and again choose the Edit Widgets menu. Now, you’ll see widgets from your iPhone apps. Now push on the widget you want to add here.
Note: iPhone must have iOS 17 or newer. Older iPhones like the iPhone X won’t support this. Make sure your iPhone and Mac are connected. This feature works smoothly within Apple’s ecosystem.
You can now enjoy YouTube, email, and more. Third-party widgets are now available via iPhone, too.
More Widget Tips and Customization Options
You can interact with widgets easily on the desktop. Right-click them to remove or resize as needed. Clicking opens the full app for deeper functionality.
Widgets also support different display styles now. Go to System Settings > Widget Style section. Choose from Color, Monochrome, or Automatic switching options.
With Stage Manager enabled, widgets dim slightly. They return to full color when the desktop is focused. You can switch between Stage Manager and widgets easily. Just click on the desktop to bring them back.
Widgets don’t overlap and stay neat on the screen. Apple designed this to help organize your desktop better. You can keep track of important updates quickly. Add reminders, stock updates, news, or podcast widgets.
However, third-party Mac widget support is still limited. The worst thing is that apps like Spotify or WhatsApp don’t support this. But, you are with me, you can use those apps’ iPhone widgets on Mac. You just need to look for “widget” in the App Store for more options.
To remove any widget, it’s also very simple. Right-click the widget and select Remove Widget. This cleans up your desktop from unwanted widgets.
The Final Words
Now you know how to add widgets to your Mac desktop in Sonoma. From weather to calendars, everything is just one click away. Widgets keep your screen useful and organized.
Try both Mac and iPhone widgets for more features. Use the easy drag-and-drop method anytime. Enjoy a smarter, cleaner, and more personalized desktop view.
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