Google is enhancing its iPhone app by adding support for home screen widgets for devices running iOS 14 or later.
Home screen widgets are recent additions to Apple’s mobile operating system, designed to provide quicker access to various app features.
Before iOS 14, the home screen layout was restricted to rows of apps, offering minimal customization options.
Widgets introduce a level of personalization to iPhones that Android users have enjoyed from the start.
Android users might recognize this feature as something they’ve had on their phones for years. Indeed, that’s the case.
Now, iPhone users can experience what they’ve been missing. Moreover, it’s now feasible to set Google apps like Chrome and Gmail as system defaults.
Here’s how to maximize Google’s services on iOS 14.
How to Add Google Search Widgets to iOS 14 Home Screen
Google’s iPhone and iPad app now supports widgets.
You can choose between two different versions of the Google Search widget.
To add widgets to your home screen, ensure both your device and the Google app are updated to the latest versions.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Enable jiggle mode
Long-press on the home screen until “jiggle mode” is activated.
2. Tap the plus sign
Tap the plus sign “+” located at the top left of the screen.
3. Find Google app
Scroll down to locate Google in the list of apps.
4. Choose a widget
You can select either a square or rectangular widget.
The square widget, occupying the space of 4 regular app icons, allows direct access to the Google search bar.
This is slightly more convenient than tapping the app itself as it brings users directly to the search bar rather than the Google Discover screen.
The rectangular widget, taking up the space of 6 regular app icons, offers more functionality.
Besides direct access to the Google search bar, it also provides access to Google Lens, voice search, and incognito search.
Tapping the Lens icon opens the iPhone camera for quick visual searches.
Tapping the microphone icon allows users to perform a quick voice search.
Finally, the incognito icon lets users open an incognito search window with a tap.
Here’s how they appear on the Home Screen:
How to Set Chrome & Gmail As System Defaults on iPhone
A major change in iOS 14 is the ability to set third-party apps as system defaults.
For the first time, iPhone users can change their default browser from Safari to Chrome.
Users can also change the default Mail app to Gmail or another preferred email app.
To change the default browser to Google Chrome:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down to find “Chrome” and tap it.
- Tap on “Default Browser App.”
- Select “Chrome.”
To change the default mail app to Gmail:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down to “Gmail” and tap it.
- Tap on “Default Mail App.”
- Select “Gmail.”
Now you’re updated on the significant Google-related changes to iOS 14!
Google mentions that more widget variations are coming, so keep your app updated.
In the future, it would be exciting to see a ‘Trending Searches’ widget or perhaps a dedicated Google Discover widget.
Source: Google
