News Widget Missing On IPhone? Here's How To Get It Back!

by Jhon Lennon 58 views

Hey guys! Ever found yourself in a situation where your favorite news widget suddenly vanishes from your iPhone's home screen? It's super annoying, right? You're all set to quickly glance at the headlines, and bam, it's gone! Don't worry; you're definitely not alone. Plenty of iPhone users face this hiccup, and the good news is, it's usually a pretty simple fix. Let's dive into why your news widget might be AWOL and, more importantly, how to bring it back safe and sound.

Why Did My News Widget Disappear?

Before we jump into the solutions, let's quickly touch on why this might be happening in the first place. There are a few common culprits:

  • Accidental Removal: This is the most frequent reason. When customizing your home screen, it’s easy to accidentally tap the little minus sign and remove a widget without realizing it.
  • Software Glitches: Sometimes, it’s just a temporary software bug acting up. These glitches can cause widgets to disappear or malfunction.
  • iOS Updates: Occasionally, after updating to a new version of iOS, some widgets might go missing or need to be re-added to your home screen.
  • Widget Incompatibility: In rare cases, an outdated or incompatible version of the News app can cause the widget to disappear. Making sure your apps are up-to-date can often prevent these issues.

No matter the cause, getting your news widget back is usually a breeze. So, let's get started!

How to Restore Your Missing News Widget

Okay, let's get that news widget back where it belongs! Here are several methods you can try, ranging from the simplest to slightly more involved. Usually, one of these will do the trick!

1. Re-Add the News Widget from the Widgets Gallery

This is the most straightforward solution. Basically, we're just going to put the widget back on your home screen. Here’s how:

  1. Enter Jiggle Mode: On your iPhone's home screen, tap and hold any empty area until the app icons start to jiggle. Alternatively, you can tap and hold an app icon and select "Edit Home Screen."
  2. Add a Widget: In the top-left corner, you'll see a plus (+) button. Tap it to open the widgets gallery.
  3. Find the News Widget: Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the "News" widget. It usually has the Apple News logo.
  4. Choose a Size: Tap on the News widget, and you’ll see different size options. Swipe left or right to preview them and choose the one you like best. The small one is great for just headlines, while the larger ones show more content.
  5. Add Widget: Tap the "Add Widget" button at the bottom.
  6. Place the Widget: The widget will now be added to your home screen. You can tap and hold it to drag it to your preferred location. Tap "Done" in the top-right corner to save your changes.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple pages of apps, the widget might be added to the last page. Make sure to swipe through all your pages to find it.

2. Check Your Today View

Sometimes, the news widget might have been moved to your Today View instead of being completely removed. The Today View is the screen you see when you swipe right on your iPhone's lock screen or home screen. Here’s how to check and move it back:

  1. Access Today View: Swipe right on your lock screen or home screen to open the Today View.
  2. Scroll and Look: Scroll through your widgets to see if the News widget is there.
  3. Edit Today View: Scroll to the bottom and tap the "Edit" button.
  4. Move to Home Screen: If you see the News widget in the "More Widgets" section (the ones that are not currently active), tap the plus (+) button next to it to add it to your Today View. Then, tap and hold the widget within the Today View and drag it to the left edge of the screen. This will move it to your home screen.
  5. Done: Tap "Done" in the top-right corner to save your changes.

3. Restart Your iPhone

Never underestimate the power of a simple restart! Restarting your iPhone can often resolve minor software glitches that might be causing the widget to disappear. Here’s how to do it:

  • iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.
  • iPhone with Home Button: Press and hold the top (or side) button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the top (or side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Once your iPhone restarts, check if the News widget has reappeared. If not, proceed to the next step.

4. Update the News App

An outdated News app can sometimes cause issues with its widget. Make sure you have the latest version installed. Here’s how to update it:

  1. Open the App Store: Tap the App Store icon on your home screen.
  2. Search for News: Tap the "Search" tab at the bottom and type "Apple News" in the search bar.
  3. Update: If there’s an update available, you’ll see an "Update" button next to the app. Tap it to update the app. If it says "Open," then you already have the latest version.

After updating, check if the News widget is back. If not, keep going!

5. Reset Your iPhone's Home Screen Layout

This is a more drastic measure, but it can be effective if the widget's placement has somehow been corrupted. Resetting your home screen layout will return it to its default arrangement, which should also bring back any missing widgets.

Warning: This will rearrange all your app icons and folders, so you'll have to reorganize them afterward.

Here’s how to reset the home screen layout:

  1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your home screen.
  2. General: Scroll down and tap "General."
  3. Transfer or Reset iPhone: Scroll down and tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone."
  4. Reset: Tap "Reset."
  5. Reset Home Screen Layout: Choose "Reset Home Screen Layout."
  6. Confirm: Confirm your choice. Your iPhone will reset the home screen layout, and all your app icons will be rearranged to their default positions.

After the reset, check if the News widget is back. You might need to re-add it from the widgets gallery as described in the first step.

6. Check Widget Settings (If Applicable)

Some widgets have settings that might affect their visibility. While the News widget itself doesn't have extensive settings, it's worth checking if there’s anything that might be causing it to disappear.

  1. Access Widget Settings: If the News widget is on your home screen, tap and hold it. If there are any settings available, you'll see an "Edit Widget" option.
  2. Review Settings: Check if there are any options that might be affecting the widget's display. For example, some widgets allow you to select specific topics or sources. Make sure these are configured correctly.

7. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your news widget is still missing in action, it might be time to call in the experts. There could be a more complex issue at play, and Apple Support can provide personalized assistance.

You can contact Apple Support through their website, the Apple Support app, or by calling them directly. Be sure to have your iPhone's model and iOS version handy when you contact them.

Conclusion

Losing your news widget can be a minor annoyance, but it's usually an easy fix. By following these steps, you should be able to get your news widget back on your iPhone in no time. Whether it was accidentally removed, glitched out, or simply needed an update, one of these solutions should do the trick.

So, go ahead and try these methods, and get back to enjoying your daily dose of news right on your home screen! Happy reading!