WidgetKit Tutorial
WidgetKit is a framework developed by Apple to create widgets, watch complications, live activities, controls, and more for iOS applications. WidgetKit is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
This WidgetKit tutorial provides introductory knowledge on widget development. It would be a great help if you consider using WidgetKit for your app projects. You can learn how to create beautiful complications on watch faces. This tutorial offers a solid understanding of how widgets work and their applications. It’s a good choice for beginners as well as anyone looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
What is WidgetKit?
WidgetKit is Apples framework, introduced in iOS 14 to create widgets for iOS applications. Using WidgetKit, you can easily build widgets and make them available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
WidgetKit - Components and Functionalities
We will analyze the key components and functionalities of WidgetKit.
- Widgets − Display timely, relevant information from your app without launching it. This feature is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. With iOS 17 and macOS 14, users can also place iPhone widgets directly on the Mac, enhancing cross-device usability.
- Smart Stacks − Users can stack multiple widgets on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The Smart Rotate feature, which is an integral part of Smart Stacks, optimizes which widget appears based on the user's context.
- Watch Complications − Watch complications come up with timely information directly on the Apple Watch face. The Smart Stack supports up to three complications at a time. A weather complication shows the current temperature, while a fitness complication displays step counts.
- Live Activities − Live Activities provides real-time updates directly on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island using ActivityKit. You can also use APNs to deliver timely notifications regarding ongoing events.
- Controls − Controls enable users to perform actions directly from the Control Center and Lock Screen apps. Controls can function as buttons or toggles.
Uses of WidgetKit
The following are the key uses of WidgetKit
- Share code between iOS and watchOS apps
- Create watch complications and Lock Screen widgets simultaneously
- Add support for iOS or watchOS to an app
- Enable interactivity and animated transitions
Prerequisites to Learn WidgetKit?
Before learning WidgetKit ensure that you have the following −
- A Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.5 or later.
- Xcode 12.0 beta 1 or a later version installed (note that I experienced issues with the SwiftUI preview pane in Xcode 12.0 beta 1, which were resolved after upgrading to beta 2).
- A basic understanding of SwiftUI.
Who can learn WidgetKit?
Anyone, including students and professional developers who want to create widgets using WidgetKit, can learn.
FAQs on WidgetKit
1. Is the widget kit free?
The widget kit is not free; it requires an unlimited access subscription to enjoy all features and content.
2. How to make your own Apple widget?
To add widgets on your iPhone, press and hold an empty spot on your home screen until the apps begin to jiggle.
3. What are the two types of widgets in iOS?
Widgets can appear on the lock screen as inline text above the clock, or as circular and rectangular shapes below the clock.
4. What are a few popular iOS widgets?
The top widgets by downloads include Brass, App Icons, Icon Changer +, ScreenKit, and Icon Themer, totaling 1.8 million installs in the U.S. since September 16.
5. Why use iOS widgets?
Widgets provide an easy way to view current information at a glance without opening the app.
6. Which iOS introduced WidgetKit?
WidgetKit was introduced in iOS 14 and developed by Apple Inc., and it has undergone continuous updates since then.
7. Do widgets slow down iOS?
Yes, having too many widgets and live wallpapers can slow down performance and reduce the battery life of iOS.
8. What is the difference between an app and a widget on an iPhone?
An app is a software application you run on your device, while a widget is a small interface element that displays content without opening the app.