How to Add a Countdown Widget on iPhone (Home Screen & Lock Screen)

A countdown widget on your iPhone, always visible

Countdown widgets let you see how many days, hours, or minutes are left until your next event, right from your home screen or lock screen. No need to open an app every time you want to check.

In this guide, we show you how to set up countdown widgets on iPhone using Reach, a free countdown app with beautiful widget designs.

What you need

• An iPhone running iOS 16 or later (iOS 17+ recommended for best widget support)
• The Reach app installed (free on the App Store)
• At least one countdown event created in the app

How to add a countdown widget to your home screen

1. Long-press on an empty area of your home screen until the apps start jiggling
2. Tap the Edit button in the top-left corner
3. Search for Reach in the widget gallery
4. Choose your preferred widget size (small, medium, or large)
5. Tap Add Widget
6. Drag the widget to your preferred position
7. Tap Done

The widget automatically shows your next upcoming countdown. If you have multiple events, the widget displays the one happening soonest by default, but you can also press and hold the widget to choose a different event to display.

How to add a countdown widget to your lock screen

1. Long-press on your lock screen
2. Tap Customize
3. Select the Lock Screen
4. Tap the widget area below the clock (or above, for inline widgets)
5. Find Reach in the widget list
6. Select a widget style
7. Tap Done

Lock screen widgets are compact and show the event name and days remaining. They update automatically as your events get closer.

How to enable live countdown widgets

Want to see seconds ticking down in real time? Reach supports live widgets that show days, hours, minutes, and seconds.

1. Add a widget to your home screen using the steps above
2. Long-press the widget for a few seconds
3. Check the Live option
4. The widget will now show a real-time countdown

For lock screen live widgets, enter lock screen edit mode and tap the Reach widget to toggle the live option.

Tips for the best widget experience

• Create your events first. Widgets pull from your existing countdowns in the app.
• Use custom images. Events with background images look great as widgets.
• Try different sizes. The medium widget is the most popular for a good balance of information and aesthetics.
• Stack widgets. On iOS 17+, you can stack multiple widgets and swipe between them.

Frequently asked questions

Are Reach widgets free?

Yes, all Reach widgets are completely free: home screen, lock screen, and live widgets. No purchase is required.

Why isn't my widget updating?

iOS manages widget refresh rates to save battery. Your widget should update within 15 to 30 minutes. If it seems stuck, try removing and re-adding the widget.

Can I show a specific event on a widget?

Widgets automatically show your next upcoming event. To feature a specific event, long-press the widget and select which countdown to display.