Apple productivity

How to Set Up a Useful Tasks Widget

Add a Tasks widget, choose its project or Smart List, and find out why an expected task is missing.

By Mustafa Yusuf3 min read

A Tasks widget keeps a useful list in view without opening the app. Start with one project or a Today view, then choose a size that makes the task titles easy to read.

Choose what you want to see

Example widget setup

  1. Pick a question“What do I need to do today?”
  2. Choose a sourceSelect Today in a filter widget.
  3. Check the listYour incomplete tasks dated today should match the app's Today view.
This is a setup example. A widget displays the project or filter you select; it does not give undated tasks a date.

For one ongoing area, choose a project widget. For work that follows your own rules, create a Smart List and select it in a Smart List widget.

Add it to your iPhone Home Screen

  1. Touch and hold an empty part of the Home Screen until the apps jiggle.
  2. Tap Edit → Add Widget. On older system versions, look for the + button.
  3. Search for Tasks, choose a widget type and size, then tap Add Widget.
  4. Finish editing the Home Screen. Touch and hold the widget, choose Edit Widget, and select its project or list if it offers that setting.

Apple’s widget guide shows the current controls. Widget choices vary by device and system version.

On a supported interactive widget, use the task’s completion control to mark it done. Tapping a title may open the task instead. Try it with a sample task to learn how that widget behaves.

Not seeing the task you expected?

Check the source before changing the widget

  1. Open the same view in TasksLook at the project, Today view or Smart List selected for the widget.
  2. If it is missing there tooCheck the task's project, date, completion status and filter rules.
  3. If it is only missing in the widgetCheck Edit Widget, choose the right source and allow time for a refresh.
A task can be saved correctly and still fall outside a widget's selected filter.

Not seeing Date on the task? Add a Date field, then give the task today’s date if it belongs in Today.

Not seeing the field your Smart List uses? Add the matching Tags field, Priority field or Collaborators field to the task’s project, then set a value that matches the filter.

Not seeing Tasks in the widget gallery? Check that Tasks is installed and up to date, open it once, then try the gallery again. A missing widget type or completion control can depend on your device and system version.

Use other screens for quick checks

On the Lock Screen, in StandBy or on Apple Watch, start with the smallest useful view. On Mac, keep a project widget near the apps you use for that work. The Apple devices walkthrough explains how to use the same tasks across devices.