Android weather widgets: What they are, how to use them, and more

Google introduced a new design language with Android 12, dubbed Material You (the evolution of Material Design). It’s one of the most significant user interface improvements we’ve seen come to Android, and it came with plenty of features. If you’re looking to customize your display, you may find our guide to the 10 best clock widgets very useful. But if you wish to learn more about what Android weather widgets are, how to use them, and which one is our favorite, you are in the right place.

Editor’s note: These steps were put together using a Google Pixel 8a running Android 15. Some steps may differ depending on your hardware and software.

About Android weather widgets

As mentioned above, these Android weather widgets were introduced with Material You on Android 12. There are now plenty of phones with Android 12 or newer software. That said, not all smartphones with recent Android software versions will have access to these widgets. These are mostly made for Pixel devices, but some phones with near-stock Android may still have them.

Many manufacturers, such as Motorola and Samsung, opt to change the weather widgets. You may not have these Material You weather widgets if your manufacturer opted for this. Regardless, there are now ways to get almost identical widgets.

Google’s weather widgets became very popular for multiple reasons. They are simple, informative, and adaptable. You can make them smaller for a quick glance at the weather. It’s also possible to make one of them larger to obtain much more weather information.

How to use the Android weather widgets

Those with an Android 12 or 13 device will have no issue using the widgets. Here’s how to add the weather widget on Android 12 or newer:

1. Tap and hold on to any empty area of your home screen.
2. Tap on Widgets.
3. Scroll down to find Pixel Weather and expand the section.
4. Tap and hold on to your widget of preference, then drag it to your home screen.
5. When the widget shows up on your home screen, you will be able to resize it.

The smaller widget will show much less information. If you expand the larger, square widget, you’ll get information like the forecast, weather by time, and weather by day. Additionally, tapping on the widgets will open the Weather app, where you can get full access to more details.

How to add weather widgets on devices without Pixel Weather widgets

It’s not possible to obtain the official weather widgets without Android 12 or a higher version. Even if you have a recent Android software version, these widgets are often removed or replaced. However, there are many alternatives available on the Google Play Store. Our favorite one is Pixel Weather Widget & Themes by developer Mohamed Ibrahem. Let’s take a look at it.

Pixel Weather Widget & Themes

1. Download and install the Pixel Weather Widget & Themes app from the Google Play Store.
2. Tap and hold on to any empty area of your home screen.
3. Tap on Widgets.
4. Expand the Pixel Weather widget option and pick your favorite one.
5. Tap and hold on to the widget and drag it to your home screen.
6. You will get a series of options. Set your preferences, then tap on Add & Update Widget.
7. Resize the widget to your liking.

Sadly, these aren’t as interactive as the real ones found on Material You. These adapt to size, but the information doesn’t change. If you increase the size of an actual Android weather widget, more information shows up.

If you’re not happy with these third-party widgets, or you want something that looks different, you can also take a look at our list of the best weather apps and widgets for other options.

Widget vs shortcut

While the weather widget from Material You is exclusive to newer Android devices, another popular tool is the Google weather shortcut. The difference with the shortcut is that it will show up as an icon on your home screen, with no information. It will look just like any other app. A widget will showcase information, such as the current temperature and further details. Check out our guide on how to get the Google Weather shortcut on your Android device for more information.

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