How to Use Interactive Widgets on macOS to Improve Productivity

macOS Sonoma introduced interactive widgets that let you access important information and perform quick tasks directly from your desktop. Instead of hiding widgets away in the Notification Center, these widgets now appear right on your desktop, allowing you to streamline your workflow and quickly complete tasks without opening multiple apps. According to Apple’s official announcement, users can now place widgets anywhere on their desktop and interact with them directly, significantly speeding up everyday tasks like checking reminders or controlling smart home devices.

How to Add Widgets to Your Desktop in macOS Sonoma

To add widgets, right-click (or two-finger click on a trackpad) on any empty space on your desktop and select Edit Widgets from the context menu. This opens the widget gallery, displaying available widgets categorized by apps.

Browse or search for the widget you want to add. Click on it, then choose your desired size (small, medium, or large).

Drag and drop the widget onto your desktop. For additional widgets, macOS provides a helpful outline suggesting optimal placement to keep your desktop organized. You can accept this suggested position or place the widget anywhere you prefer.

You can also change the size of a widget after adding it to the desktop by right-clicking on it and selecting a different size.

How to Customize and Rearrange Widgets

To rearrange widgets, simply click and drag them to a new location on your desktop. macOS Sonoma automatically aligns them neatly, making organization easy.

To customize widget options, right-click the widget. If customization is available, you’ll see options such as changing widget size or selecting different information to display.

To remove a widget from your desktop, right-click it and select Remove Widget. Alternatively, you can enter the widget editing mode by right-clicking the desktop and selecting Edit Widgets, then clicking the minus icon on the widget you wish to remove.

Using Interactive Widgets on macOS Sonoma

Interactive widgets allow you to perform actions directly from the desktop without opening the associated app. For example, the Reminders widget lets you mark tasks as completed with a single click. Similarly, the Home app widget enables you to control smart home accessories directly from your desktop.

To interact with a widget, simply click on the actionable elements within it. For instance, clicking a checkbox in the Reminders widget marks the task as complete, while clicking a button in the Home widget toggles the state of the connected accessory.

How to Add iPhone Widgets to Your Mac Desktop

macOS Sonoma also supports widgets from your iPhone through Apple’s Continuity feature. This allows you to use widgets from apps installed on your iPhone—even if those apps aren’t available on macOS.

Ensure your iPhone is nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network or signed in with the same Apple ID.

Right-click on your desktop, select Edit Widgets, and look for the From iPhone section in the widget gallery.

Drag the desired iPhone widget onto your desktop. Note that some iPhone widgets may have limited interactivity on macOS and may prompt you to open the app on your iPhone for further action.

Adjusting Widget Appearance and Behavior

macOS Sonoma allows you to adjust widget appearance and behavior to match your workflow preferences. To access these settings:

Click the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

Navigate to Desktop & Dock. Here, you can choose whether widgets appear on your desktop at all times or only in Stage Manager. You can also adjust the widget style to Automatic, Monochrome, or Color.

If you prefer not to display iPhone widgets on your Mac, you can disable this feature from the same settings panel.

Interactive widgets in macOS Sonoma simplify your workflow by providing quick access to tasks, reminders, and app-specific actions directly from your desktop. Customize and arrange them according to your preferences to boost your daily productivity.