Updated on January 26, 2026

This article details how to add a photo widget on an iPhone.

How Do I Add a Photo Widget on iPhone?

You can customize your iPhone’s home screen in many ways, and adding a photo widget is one option.

When you add the photo widget, a selection of your photos will appear in a set spot. You can move the widget if you don’t like its initial position.

Here’s how to add a photo widget on an iPhone:

1. Press and hold an empty area on your screen until the icons begin to wiggle.

2. Tap the + (Plus sign) at the top right or select Edit > Add Widget.

3. Swipe down to the list of widgets, then tap Photos.

   Several popular widgets are automatically listed at the top of this menu. If you see the Photos widget here, tap it instead of scrolling down to tap the Photos app icon.

4. Swipe left or right to choose a widget size.

5. Once you’ve chosen a widget size, tap Add Widget.

6. The photo widget will then appear on your screen.

7. To move the Photos widget, press and hold an empty space on the screen.

8. When the icons start wiggling, press and hold the photo widget.

9. Drag the photo widget to your desired location.

10. Release the widget.

11. Tap an empty area of the screen to lock the widget in place.

How Can I Change Photo Widget Pictures on iPhone?

You can choose the size and location of the Photos widget, but you can’t select specific photo albums or individual photos to display.

Apple uses an algorithm to automatically select your best shots, and you can’t force specific pictures to appear, prevent showing specific people, or control the selection direction.

The only control over the photo widget’s content is preventing it from showing specific images the algorithm selects. If you see a photo you don’t want, open it in the Photos app and remove it from featured photos. This prevents the widget from displaying that image again.

Here’s how to remove an image from the photo widget on your iPhone:

1. Wait for the photo you want to remove to appear.

2. Tap the image.

3. Tap the Share icon.

4. Select Remove from Featured Photos.

5. The photo will no longer show in your photo widget.

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