Widgets on the Mac desktop: how to add, remove and hide them

How do I add widgets to my Mac desktop?

Right click the wallpaper and choose Edit Widgets. Search the gallery, then drag a widget onto the desktop, or click it to add it. Click Done when you finish. You can also click the date and time in the menu bar, scroll down and choose Edit Widgets.

How do I remove widgets from my Mac desktop?

Right click a widget and choose Remove Widget. Or open Edit Widgets and click the minus on each one.

How do I hide widgets without removing them?

Open System Settings, Desktop & Dock. Next to Show Widgets, untick On Desktop (and In Stage Manager, if you use it). Your widgets stay set up and come back when you tick it again.

Why do my widgets go grey when I open a window?

That is Dim widgets on desktop, in the same settings section. With it on, widgets fade when windows are in front, so they do not compete with your work.

Can I use iPhone widgets on my Mac?

Yes, if your iPhone is signed in to the same Apple Account and nearby. Desktop & Dock has an iPhone Widgets setting; once on, iPhone widgets appear in the gallery.

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Checked on 16 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1, by reading its settings and the labels in System Settings. Nothing was changed. Widgets were set to show on the desktop and in Stage Manager on this Mac.