- X has launched widgets for iPhone and iPad users for easier access to news and notifications
- Widgets allow users to view updates without opening the app on iOS home and lock screens
- The update aligns X with other major apps offering widget support on Apple devices
Elon Musk's social media platform X has rolled out widgets for iPhone and iPad users, marking a long-anticipated update that allows quicker access to news, shortcuts and notifications directly from iOS home and lock screens.
The feature enables users to keep up with what is happening on the platform without opening the app, offering a more glanceable way to track activity on X across Apple devices.
Announcing the update, the Musk-led company said in a post, “X widgets on iOS are here. Access top news, shortcuts, and notifications from your home or lock screen.”
X widgets on iOS are here
— X (@X) December 13, 2025
access top news, shortcuts, and notifications from your home or lock screen pic.twitter.com/WkdIBYX50H
The rollout brings X in line with other major apps that have long offered widget support on iOS, making it easier for users to stay connected with updates at a glance.
A Feature Teased Years Ago
As 9to5Mac points out, the idea of a Home Screen widget for X (then Twitter) was first teased during WWDC 2020 in a preview video for iOS 14, but the functionality never made it to users at the time.
Since then, the platform has gone through a series of major changes, including leadership transitions, its acquisition by Musk, the rebranding from Twitter to X and the introduction of several new products and features, before widgets were finally introduced with this update.
What's Available On The Home Screen
For the Home Screen, X is currently offering a single widget called “X News Highlights.” This widget displays headlines of trending topics on the platform, and tapping on any headline opens the related topic within the app.
According to 9to5Mac, the widget is available in small, medium and large sizes, allowing it to fit neatly into different Home Screen layouts on iPhones and iPads.
Lock Screen Widgets And Grok Access
The Lock Screen offers a broader range of widget options. These include “X Notifications,” which displays the current number of notifications, and “X Messages,” which shows how many unread messages are waiting in X Chat.
In addition, there are two Grok-related widgets. One provides quick access to chat and another enables voice interaction. All four Lock Screen widgets are available in both smaller and larger variants, giving users flexibility in how they customise their screens.
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