How to use Google widgets for work on an iPad

Image: Andy Wolber/TechRepublic

With the merchandise of iPadOS 15 connected Sept. 20, 2021, widgets present enactment some connected iPhone and iPad. Built-in app widgets show accusation specified arsenic caller email (Mail), upcoming meetings (Calendar) oregon the existent clip successful up to 4 clip zones (Clock).

SEE: Research: Video conferencing tools and cloud-based solutions predominate integer workspaces; VPN and VDI little fashionable with SMBs (TechRepublic Premium)

People who usage Google Workspace and different Google apps connected iPad besides whitethorn find it adjuvant to adhd Google app widgets to a location surface (Figure A). As of precocious September 2021, immoderate work-related Google apps that connection widgets include: 

• Chrome (3 widgets) for entree to search, an incognito browser, dependable hunt and a QR codification scanner, 
• Drive for entree to hunt and either suggested files oregon camera and upload options,
• Gmail for entree to search, constitute (new email) and your inbox,
• Google (2 widgets) for entree to search, dependable search, an incognito browser and Google Lens,
  
• Google Calendar (3 widgets) for upcoming events, 
  
• Google Maps (2 widgets), for show of your existent determination with postulation indicators, oregon for entree to hunt and assorted adjacent locations,
  
• Google Photos (3 widgets) for entree to suggested images,
  
• Tasks (2 widgets) to show tasks from a selected list, and
  
• Voice to show suggested contacts to call.
  

Figure A

Google provides widgets for respective apps connected iPad including (top row, from left) Gmail, Chrome, Maps, (middle, from left) Drive, Google search, Maps, Photos, (bottom, from left) Calendar, Tasks and Voice.

Before you tin adhd a widget, marque definite you person the corresponding app installed (e.g., instal the Google Calendar app successful bid to beryllium capable to instal a Google Calendar widget). Also marque definite you've opened the app and signed successful to your Google account. In my experience, it whitethorn instrumentality a fewer minutes aft you instal an app and motion successful to it for the widget to beryllium available.

How to adhd a widget

In immoderate bare information of an iPadOS (or iPhone) location screen, pat and clasp until a + awesome displays successful the precocious near country of the surface (Figure B). Tap + to entree the widget gallery. 

Figure B

In an bare information of a location screen, pat and clasp until the + displays successful the precocious left. Tap + to entree the widget gallery.

Scroll the database of disposable widgets (as shown successful Figure C, on the near broadside of the screen), past pat the sanction of the app widget you privation to install. Note that the names listed supra are the presumption that show successful the database of widgets erstwhile you spell to adhd a widget connected an iPad. In different words, the Google Drive app widget is listed arsenic Drive, not Google Drive. Similarly, Chrome is listed arsenic Chrome, alternatively than Google Chrome.

Figure C

All widgets are listed on the near broadside of the widget gallery. Tap connected an app sanction to show disposable widgets for that app, arsenic shown here.

Some apps connection much than 1 widget enactment (Figure D). When 2 oregon 3 widgets are available, they typically alteration by size: A tiny square, a mean size rectangular oregon a ample square. Swipe to the broadside to show disposable widgets. While 1 the surface for the widget you privation to add, pat +Add widget. The widget volition beryllium added to your location screen.

Figure D

Some apps connection much than 1 widget, arsenic shown here. Swipe left/right to show disposable options. To adhd a widget, prime + Add Widget.

Note that you whitethorn instal widgets much than once. For example, you mightiness instal the Drive widget connected 2 antithetic location screens. 

How to determination a widget

Tap and clasp connected a widget until a paper of options displays. At this point, you whitethorn resistance the widget to reposition it, either connected your existent location surface oregon resistance it to the close oregon near to determination it to different location screen. Once the widget is positioned wherever you privation it, assistance your finger.

How to edit a widget

As of September 2021, 3 of the Google widgets listed above–Gmail, Drive and Tasks–may beryllium edited to show antithetic data. Tap and clasp connected a widget until the paper of options displays, past prime Edit Widget for entree to disposable options (Figure E, left). Adjust the options arsenic desired. For example, you could instal aggregate Task widgets, each configured to show a antithetic list.

Figure E

You tin configure immoderate widgets. Tap and clasp connected a widget to bring up the paper (left), past pat Edit Widget to entree disposable options (middle). In this example, the Tasks widget tin show items from immoderate task database you prime (right).

How to region a widget

Removing a widget works overmuch similar removing an app. Tap and clasp connected the widget you privation to delete until paper options display. Then pat Remove Widget.

What's your experience?

I find the Google Calendar and Tasks widgets to beryllium useful. What Google widgets bash you usage connected iPhone oregon iPad? For the 3 widgets mentioned supra that connection alternate configurations, what settings bash you find helpful? Are determination different Google related widgets you recommend? Let maine cognize what you acquisition with widgets has been connected iPad and iPhone, either with a remark beneath oregon connected Twitter (@awolber). 

Also see

• Apple iOS 15 cheat sheet: Everything you request to know (TechRepublic)
• Why I won't beryllium buying Apple's caller iPad mini (TechRepublic)
• How to make and negociate widgets connected your iPhone oregon iPad (TechRepublic)
• 5 champion Android widgets for on-the-go professionals (TechRepublic)
• Apple iPadOS: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
• Apple: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic connected Flipboard)