IOS News Widget Missing? Here's How To Fix It!

Oct 31, 2025 by Admin 47 views

Hey guys! Are you experiencing the frustration of a missing iOS News widget on your iPhone or iPad? It's a common issue, and honestly, it can be a real pain when you're trying to quickly catch up on the latest headlines. But don't worry, you're not alone, and there are several things you can try to get that widget back where it belongs. Let's dive into some troubleshooting steps and solutions to bring your news feed back to your fingertips.

Why is Your iOS News Widget Missing? Common Culprits

Before we jump into the fixes, let's talk about the common reasons why your iOS News widget might have vanished. Understanding the potential causes can help you prevent the issue in the future. There are a few usual suspects:

Software Glitches: Sometimes, a simple software hiccup can cause a widget to disappear. These glitches can be temporary, but they can also persist until you take action.
iOS Updates: Believe it or not, updates can sometimes introduce bugs, or in rare cases, they might accidentally remove or disable a widget. It's a risk of the upgrade game, but usually, it's easily fixed.
Accidental Removal: This one is super common. It's easy to accidentally remove a widget, especially if you're customizing your home screen. A misplaced tap and poof, it's gone!
Device Restart: This can sometimes cause problems with widgets, making them not appear. If you turn off your phone or let the battery die and restart it, sometimes the widgets don't load properly.
News App Issues: The News app itself might have problems. If the app isn't working correctly, it can mess with the widget too.

So, now that we know the possible reasons, let's look at how to get your iOS News widget back in action. These steps will guide you through the process, from the simplest fixes to a few more involved ones. Get ready to have your news at your fingertips again!

Troubleshooting Steps: Bringing Back Your iOS News Widget

Okay, let's get down to business! Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting your missing iOS News widget. We’ll start with the easiest fixes and move on to the more complex ones.

1. Check Your Widget Gallery and Your Home Screen

First things first: Is the News widget even available? Here’s how to check:

Access the Widget Gallery: On your home screen, long-press on an empty space until the apps start to jiggle. Tap the “+” button in the top-left corner. This opens the widget gallery. You can also get there by long-pressing on a widget already on your home screen.
Search for News: Scroll through the widget list, or use the search bar at the top and search for “News.” If the News widget is there, great! If not, it could mean the News app itself is disabled or hidden. See below for how to resolve.
Add the Widget: If you find the News widget, tap it to select it, then choose the size you want (there are usually several). Tap “Add Widget.” You can then move it around to your desired spot on your home screen.

If the widget is not available in the widget gallery, there might be a problem with the News app itself or your iOS settings. Don't worry, we'll cover that later.

2. Restart Your iPhone or iPad

This is the classic, go-to solution for many tech problems. A simple restart can often clear out minor software glitches that might be causing the widget to disappear.

Restart the Device: Press and hold the power button (and either volume button on newer iPhones) until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. Wait about 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. For iPads without a home button, it's a similar process with the power button.
Check the Widget: Once your device has restarted, go back to your home screen and check if the News widget is back.

This is usually a quick fix, so it's always worth trying first before moving on to other solutions. If it doesn’t work, don’t stress, we have more steps.

3. Ensure the News App is Enabled and Updated

The News app is the heart of the News widget, so if the app isn't working correctly, your widget won't either. Let’s make sure everything is in tip-top shape.

Check for the News App: Make sure the News app is still on your device and isn’t hidden. If it’s not there, you might have accidentally deleted it, or it could be hidden in the App Library (swipe left on the last page of your home screen to access it). Search for “News” in the App Library to find it.
Update the News App: Go to the App Store, search for “News,” and check if there’s an update available. If so, update it. Sometimes, updates include bug fixes that can resolve widget issues.
Open the News App: Launch the News app to make sure it opens and works correctly. If it doesn't open or you get an error message, there might be a deeper problem that needs further troubleshooting (like a server outage or account issues).

Verifying the app's functionality is essential since the widget relies on the app to function properly. Now that you've confirmed that the News app is working, check the widget gallery to see if the News widget is available.

4. Reinstall the News App

If the News app is still missing or not functioning correctly, try reinstalling it. This can often resolve issues caused by corrupted files or software glitches.

Delete the News App: Long-press the News app icon on your home screen or in the App Library until it wiggles. Tap the “-” button in the top-left corner and then tap “Delete App.”
Reinstall the App: Go to the App Store, search for “News,” and reinstall it.
Check the Widget: After the app is reinstalled, check the widget gallery to see if the News widget is back and functioning correctly. If you're still having trouble, there may be some other underlying problems, such as a glitch in the software.

5. Check Your iOS Version and Update

Outdated software can sometimes cause widget problems. Make sure your device is running the latest iOS version.

Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to General: Tap on “General.”
Go to Software Update: Tap “Software Update.” If there’s an update available, download and install it.
Restart Your Device: After the update, restart your device and then check if the News widget is working.

Updating to the latest version of iOS ensures your device has the newest bug fixes and performance improvements. Also, if there are any compatibility issues, the update will solve them.

6. Reset Home Screen Layout

If all else fails, you can try resetting your home screen layout to the default settings. This will put all your apps and widgets back to their original positions, which can sometimes fix widget issues.

Go to Settings: Open the Settings app.
Go to General: Tap on “General.”
Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad: Scroll down and tap this option.
Tap Reset: Then, tap “Reset” (not “Erase All Content and Settings”).
Select Reset Home Screen Layout: Choose this option. This will reset the home screen layout but will not delete any of your data.
Check the Widget: Once your device restarts, check to see if the News widget is back. You might have to add it back to your home screen from the widget gallery.

Be aware that this will rearrange all your apps and widgets, so you’ll need to put them back where you want them, but it can be a helpful way to resolve widget issues.

Advanced Troubleshooting: When the Simple Fixes Don't Work

If you've tried all the steps above, and your iOS News widget is still missing, it's time to consider a few more advanced troubleshooting techniques. These are a little more involved but might be necessary to get your widget back. Let's delve in!

7. Check for Restrictions

iOS has a feature called