Widgets in macOS have been around for a long time. At first, a separate desktop was used to host them. By the way, it was very convenient. I always kept a calculator widget there, which in no time allowed me to calculate something. With the release of updates, they got rid of such a solution and moved them to the Notification Center. Moreover, the widgets themselves have undergone major changes. They have become similar to those in the iPhone and iPad, which clearly benefited them. But the interactivity was gone, and clicking on it simply opened the corresponding site or application.
With macOS Sonoma, which was unveiled at WWDC 2023, Apple went a step further and allowed widgets to be placed on the desktop. Yes, now they can be among the labels right in front of your eyes. We tell you how this feature works, what widgets are available to add, and whether you can leave them in the Notification Center.
Macbook desktop widgets
Due to the fact that widgets before macOS Sonoma were placed in the Notification Center, many people either did not use them or simply forgot about their existence. It turns out that there was no sense as such from this function. The widget should provide some information immediately, without the need to open additional windows. Here, it was necessary to go to the Notification Center, which not everyone used. On my Mac, all applications are denied access there, so I don’t even open it. Now widgets can really be useful. Here’s how to add them to your MacBook’s desktop:
- Right-click anywhere on the desktop;
- In the window that appears, click “Edit Widgets”;
- The widget gallery will open. Choose any option you like and drag it to the desired location on the desktop.
The first widget can be added anywhere, and for subsequent ones, the system will highlight the optimal location. At the same time, it is not necessary to set it strictly according to this recommendation. If you try to place the widget in the place where there are some shortcuts, they will be moved automatically.
Mac OS Widgets
Apple offers three widget sizes to choose from. All of them have long been familiar to us from the iPhone: 2×2, 4×2 and 4×4. Therefore, you can make many small widgets, or you can limit yourself to a couple of large ones. All standard applications allow you to immediately add widgets, and you don’t have to wait for any additional improvements. The appearance completely copies that of the iPhone, so you don’t have to get used to something new either.
But there is one feature in macOS Sonoma that you will definitely love. Some of the apps you use on your iPhone don’t have a desktop counterpart. Therefore, Apple decided to pull off a very interesting trick. Using the Continuity feature, you can add widgets from your smartphone using the same Apple ID on iPhone and Mac . You don’t need a separate Mac app.
By the way, no additional settings for this function are also needed. All available widgets will be displayed in the general gallery. A very convenient option to display, for example, the balance of bank cards on the Macbook screen . And thanks to this solution, you don’t have to wait until some developers finish the desktop versions of their applications. Everything will work right away.
Mac OS Interactive Widgets
Separately, it should be noted that widgets can now be interactive. For standard applications, this feature is already supported, so you can try it out right away. If you have any smart home devices, then you can control them from the corresponding widget right on your desktop. When Apple first showed macOS Sonoma, many people wondered if the widgets would be distracting if you were using some apps in a small window.
As it turned out, they made a very cool chip for this case. As soon as you open any program, the widgets become translucent and fade into the background, merging with the desktop screensaver. Thanks to this solution, you are not distracted by the information that is posted on them, and you can safely do your business.
By the way, in the system settings, you can immediately switch the appearance of widgets from full-color to monochrome. Then they will not flash bright colors before your eyes, and at the same time the necessary information will always be on the screen. For myself, I have not yet decided whether to use this new macOS feature. Somehow I used to live without widgets on the desktop , and they were completely unnecessary. I am glad that Apple has left the ability to place them in the Notification Center. One thing I can say for sure: soon the same feature will appear in Windows 11. Microsoft has made its system very close to macOS, which means that widgets on the desktop will not bypass it.
