September 16, 2022: -Apple’s iOS 16 iPhone update lets iPhone users add small boxes of information known as “widgets” to the lock screen.

That’s aided popularizing of the Chinese app Top Widgets, which rocketed to the second most favorite free app in the App Store behind social media app BeReal. I’d never listened to the app before, so I downloaded it to try it.

Top Widgets lets you personalize your home screen or lock screen with little squares or rectangles of information, like how much storage is left on your phone, pictures, the number of steps you’ve taken, custom icons for apps, and more. There’s over what Apple offers by default, which might be why it’s popular.

And it makes good use of the recent always-on display on iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, which still show widgets on the screen even when the phone is idle. Those phones launch on Friday.

To get started, download Top Widgets from the App Store. You don’t need the newest iPhone to use the app. But, you must first ensure you’ve established iOS 16 to get widgets on your lock screen. Home screen widgets have been available since the previous year. IOS 16 is available for iPhone 8 and newer.

Next, open the app and select the widget you want to add to your lock screen or home screen.

You can pick from lots of stuff, such as quick toggles to turn cellular or Wi-Fi on and off, your calendar, screen brightness, photos, reminders, and even little animated emoji. Browse under the “LockScreen” section for specific options that can further your lock screen.

Hit save after you’ve picked the ones you want. As you can see from my background, my widget tells me how many steps I’ve taken, the amount of battery I have left on my iPhone, and even how much storage space my iPhone uses. That’s all there is to it; the rest of the customization options are up to you.