Best lock screen widgets for iOS 16

Which are the best iOS apps that offer built-in mini widgets for the iOS 16 lock screen? 

Stock iOS apps

Indeed, the stock iOS apps that offer lock screen widgets are without a doubt one’s first acquaintance with the functionality. Here are what widgets you can use on your lock screen:

Google Search

Shortly after iOS 16 became official, Google was quick to share information about its upcoming range of new lock screen widgets. With these, you can access Google Search’s most vital features at a grasp, like Voice Search, Lens, Quick Translate, Shop, and more. Of course, the ubiquitous regular Google Search mini widget is also present.

Google Drive

If you’re a heavy Google Drive user, then Drive’s new-fangled mini widgets for iOS 16 are likely a godsend. Thanks to these, you can quickly and easily access suggested files, search your documents, and view your starred files quickly and effortlessly. All of these widgets are single-space ones, not to be confused with the wider widgets that usually take two spaces.

Gmail

When it comes to Gmail, Google hasn’t gone quite experimental with the available mini widgets. You get two widgets, a small mini one and a large, dual-space widget. What they do is show you the number of unread emails received since you’ve last opened the app, and also act as shortcuts to the full Gmail experience. Overall, a rather useful addition to the iOS 16 lock screen. We wonder why Apple hasn’t made a similar mini widget for the built-in Mail app. 

Apollo for Reddit

Apollo for Reddit, aside from being one of the best Reddit clients for iOS, has an excellent selection of mini lock screen widgets, some eight of them. They range from useful ones, like quick access to trending posts, your Reddit karma, subreddit shortcuts, your inbox, your most recent post, most recent comment, and random subreddit, to funny ones, like the total distance you’ve scrolled into the app, as well as enjoy a cute animated Pixel Pal that does funny things on your lock screen. 

Messenger

Messenger’s offering for your iPhone lock screen lets you quickly see your unread messages and opens the respective chat. This widget is only available in a dual-space configuration. We hope that a single-space mini widget gets released down the line as well, as it would make sense to have it as an option. 

Waterminder

Are you well hydrated? Chances are an extra glass of water wouldn’t hurt you. Waterminder is a great app that tracks your hydration and also reminds you to take a cup when necessary. 

Carrot Weather

It takes a special type of person to love to be insulted and treated like, as popular weather app Carrot often puts it, “meatbag”. The infamous app will take up every possible chance to insult you if you wish so, though you can still use it as a reliable weather forecaster. There’s also over a dozen—yes, a dozen—mini widgets available for your lock screen. Yes, you will have to carefully choose which ones you employ!

Parcel

With Parcel, you can quickly and easily keep tabs on any incoming orders you might have purchases online. The app also features rather convenient Amazon integration which works like a charm. Keep track of your orders with the super-handy iOS 16 lock screen widget!

Parcel for iOS

Daily Dictionary

Did you know what “loquacious” means? Apparently, it’s an adjective depicting someone rather talkative. Thanks to Daily Dictionary, a rather straightforward iOS app, you can learn new words like this one every day. And the best part is you don’t need to open the app, like ever — you can rely on the convenient lock screen widget to gain the necessary knowledge.

Daily Dictionary for iOS

Flighty

The rather popular Flighty app comes along with a rather comprehensive flight tracking, keeping tabs on all details that might interest you as far as your upcoming flights are considered. There’s a single, but useful lock screen mini widget which gives you accurate information about your flight’s take-off time, flight’s status, your gate, as well as any delays if you’re a Pro subscriber.

Flighty for iOS

Music Harbor

Ever wondered if there’s a way to keep track on new music releases? Of course there is! With Music Harbor, you can follow artists, labels, genres, and always be informed about any upcoming music releases on time.