Widgets and where they live
Widgets are small, glanceable views built with SwiftUI and WidgetKit. They aren't mini-apps; they show timely information and update on a schedule you provide, then deep-link into the app when tapped.
The same widget can appear in several places, each with its own size and design considerations, so the job is choosing what single piece of information earns that space.
- Home Screen widgets in small, medium, and large sizes
- Lock Screen widgets, including inline and circular complications
- StandBy display support on supported iPhones
- Timeline-based updates, since widgets refresh on a budget, not continuously
- Deep links so a tap opens the right place in your app
- Limited interactivity (like a button or toggle) on recent iOS versions
Live Activities for real-time events
Live Activities show the current state of something happening now, a delivery, a game score, a ride, on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, updating as the situation changes.
They update through push (via ActivityKit) or on-device, and they have time and frequency limits, so they suit genuinely live events rather than always-on displays. We design them to stay useful and end cleanly.
- Lock Screen and Dynamic Island presentation for ongoing events
- Live updates via ActivityKit push notifications or local updates
- Good fits: deliveries, sports scores, timers, rides, live tracking
- Clear start, update, and end states so the activity doesn't linger
- Compact, minimal, and expanded Dynamic Island layouts
- Respect Apple's duration and update-frequency limits
More on ios apps
Frequently asked questions
How often can a widget update?
Not continuously. Widgets refresh on a system-managed timeline and budget, so they suit information that changes on a predictable schedule rather than second-by-second. For live data, a Live Activity is usually the right tool.
Can users interact with a widget without opening the app?
To a degree. Recent iOS versions allow limited interactivity like a button or toggle inside a widget. Anything richer deep-links into the app. We design the widget around what's actually possible so it feels responsive.
Do we need Live Activities or just widgets?
Widgets are for glanceable, scheduled info; Live Activities are for a single event happening right now. If you're tracking something in real time, Live Activities fit. If not, widgets are simpler. We'll match the tool to your use case.