How-To Guide for Adding Widgets on a Mac Desktop (macOS 14 Sonoma)

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Adding Widgets on a Mac Desktop (macOS 14 Sonoma)

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Widgets on your Mac desktop can provide quick access to useful information and tools. They can display everything from the weather forecast to your calendar events, all at a glance. Here's how to add and use widgets on your Mac desktop running macOS 14 Sonoma.

Accessing the Widgets:

To access the widgets on your Mac desktop in macOS 14 Sonoma:

Click anywhere on your desktop to ensure you're in the Finder.

Swipe to the left with two fingers on your trackpad or Magic Mouse. Alternatively, you can press the F12 key on your keyboard (if your function keys are enabled).

The Today View will appear on the right side of your screen, displaying widgets. 

Customizing the Widgets:

Customize the widgets to display the information you want by following these steps:

Scroll down to view all available widgets.

Click the "Edit Widgets" button at the bottom.

A customization screen will appear, allowing you to add, remove, or rearrange widgets.

To add a widget, click the "+" button next to the widget you want to include.

To remove a widget, click the "-" button next to the widget you want to delete.

To rearrange widgets, click and hold the three horizontal lines icon next to a widget, then drag it to the desired position.

Click "Done" when you've finished customizing.

Using Widgets:

After adding and customizing widgets, you can use them for various purposes. Here are some common widgets and how to use them:

Weather: The Weather widget displays the current weather in your location. Click on it to see a more detailed forecast.

Calendar: The Calendar widget shows your upcoming events and appointments. Click on an event to view more details or edit it.

Siri Suggestions: Siri Suggestions provides quick access to apps and actions Siri thinks you might need based on your usage patterns.

Reminders: The Reminders widget displays your upcoming tasks and to-do items. You can mark tasks as completed directly from the widget.

News: The News widget shows the latest headlines and news stories. Click on a headline to read the full article.

Stocks: The Stocks widget provides real-time stock market information. Click on a stock to view more details.

Music: The Music widget lets you control your music playback. You can play, pause, skip, or adjust the volume directly from the widget.

Battery: If you're using a MacBook, the Battery widget shows your battery status and remaining battery life.

Adding Third-Party Widgets:

You can also add third-party widgets to your desktop by following these steps:

Visit the Mac App Store and search for widgets or the specific widget you want to add.

Download and install the widget app.

Open the app and follow the instructions to add the widget to your Today View.

Removing Widgets:

If you want to remove a widget, follow these steps:

Access the Today View by swiping or pressing F12.

Click the "Edit Widgets" button at the bottom.

Click the red minus "-" button next to the widget you want to remove.

Confirm the removal when prompted.

Widgets on your Mac desktop provide a convenient way to access information and functionality without opening multiple apps. Customize your Today View to suit your needs and make your desktop more productive in macOS 14 Sonoma.

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