The best way to allow widget stacking in your Android cellphone

Though I like the abundance of distinctive widgets Android affords me, that affection is getting out of hand. I admit, I most likely don’t want the handfuls of widgets on my machine, regardless that I’ve grown to love my peculiar setup.

To gasoline this ardour, I exploit Kvaesitso as my most popular launcher because it gives vertically scrolling (daisy chained) widgets on its homepage. This structure provides me the liberty so as to add as many widgets as doable, which makes for a slightly prolonged checklist. Nonetheless, as a lot because it pains me, I ought to simplify my widget structure to spice up productiveness. So, I looked for an answer to my widget hoarding drawback and I discovered one: stacks.

Whereas Kvaesitso stays my favourite launcher, it lacks a key residence display screen administration function: widget stacking. Stacks enable for a number of, separate widgets to inhabit the identical part of your own home display screen on prime of one another. They are often wheeled by means of with a easy horizontal or vertical scroll, liberating up the remainder of the house display screen for different vital information or icons. As you’ll be able to most likely think about, that is a simple technique to handle the myriad widgets on my cellphone, but it surely does introduce pure restrictions.

Sadly, widget stacking is just not an innate function on Android (except you’re a Samsung One UI consumer). A number of third-party launchers provide it and my favourite amongst these is Niagara. So, I redownloaded it and set it as my default launcher.

I’ve a historical past with Niagara, having bought it again in 2022, however I’ve barely used it on my machine. As a maximalist, I battle with it as my fundamental launcher, however as January is the very best time to create resolutions you’ll adhere to for a number of weeks, I’m giving it one other go. Its distraction-free focus and neat design make it the proper repair for my wayward widget utilization.

To create a widget stack on Niagara, you’ll want the app’s premium model. When you’ve bought it:

1. Lengthy-press the clock to entry Niagara’s fundamental settings
2. Choose Add customized widget, then choose your widget.
3. Subsequent, repeat the primary two steps. You’ll be greeted by a brand new dialog explaining how the widget stack system works. Faucet Create widget stack.
4. Your preliminary and second widgets will now occupy the identical space of the house display screen. You may add as much as 4 widgets within the stack.

So, did it repair my Android widget issues? Largely, sure! Niagara is a singular launcher that revels in simplicity. The widget stack function does really feel like an afterthought, tacked on to appease customers slightly than keep on with its core perception. However, it did assist me whittle down the variety of widgets I deemed important.

Niagara isn’t the one launcher that helps Android widget stacking, even when it might be the very best resolution for me. I attempted two different choices, particularly Motion Launcher and Good Launcher.

Motion Launcher seems like a cross between Nova Launcher and Pixel Launcher. It launched widget stacking to its repertoire in 2021, nicely earlier than Samsung added it to One UI. I just like the simplicity of this implementation, which permits a number of stacks on the house display screen and sufficient house to position vital icons above or under them. In contrast to Niagara, scrolling by means of widgets calls for a vertical flick, which is an issue for a few of my vertically scrolling widgets (my calendar occasions checklist, as an illustration).

It’s a strong launcher for individuals who need a Nova equal with widget administration, however I couldn’t get previous its annoying subscription nag bins and awkward default font. You will need to word that Motion gives widget stacking within the free model.

As for Good Launcher, it locks away widget stacking behind its premium providing, which you’ll be able to’t even strive earlier than shopping for. However, including a widget stack is so simple as Motion, besides Good gives 4 distinct shapes in your stack. Like Niagara, widgets rotate horizontally — a extra smart association for my wants.

Which different widget-taming choices are there?

If you happen to’re ready to look past Android launchers, a number of third-party apps helped me treatment my widget insanity.

As a substitute of plastering a noticeboard of widgets on your own home display screen like I are likely to do, Popup Widget hides these inside app shortcuts. The advantages are clear: extreme widgets are hidden and solely accessed once you want them, however this power can also be a hindrance. Mockingly, opening every data-heavy widget by swiping on an icon wasted extra of my time. I’d slightly this data was prepared instantly.

Popup Widget nonetheless has a spot on my cellphone, although. It’s useful for opening shortcut widgets, just like the Google Residence or SmartThings widgets. You may see the way it handles a widget from one in all my favourite apps, Every day Phrase.

Panels tries to unravel this challenge however retains widgets hidden till they’re required. As its title suggests, it gives fly-out panels for shortcuts, apps, and widgets on the perimeters of your cellphone’s display screen. The free model permits a single widget panel, which made me much more conscious of my selection. It’s nice for hiding cluttered widgets, like a calendar, occasions checklist, or vertical climate forecast. The above instance makes use of a widget from climate app Breezy.

Making sudden, sweeping adjustments to my smartphone workflow most likely wasn’t probably the most easy concept, however I’ve loved the train. After a number of weeks of experimenting with numerous Android widget stacking instruments and administration options, I intend to stay with Niagara and Panels alongside a set of retro icons for a whole aesthetic refresh.

I do know many customers don’t like putting in a third-party launcher to entry a selected function, and maybe Google will lastly add widget stacking to Android 16. It’s definitely on my wishlist for the upcoming Android replace. Fortunately, builders have already embraced the function’s usefulness.

How lengthy will I be capable of reside with out my swathe of important Android widgets? I’m not solely certain, however I’m able to embrace a much less cluttered residence display screen for the foreseeable future.