Fix: News Widget Missing On IOS? Here's How To Get It Back

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iOS News Widget Disappeared? Here's How to Get It Back

Hey guys! Having trouble with your News widget vanishing from your iOS device? It's super frustrating when your favorite source of quick news updates goes missing. Don't worry; you're not alone, and there are several ways to bring it back. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to restore your News widget and keep you informed on the go.

Understanding Why Your News Widget Disappeared

Before diving into the fixes, let's quickly touch on why your News widget might have disappeared in the first place. Sometimes, it's just a glitch – these things happen with software. Other times, it could be due to a recent iOS update, accidental removal, or even changes in your widget settings. Knowing these potential causes can help you better troubleshoot the issue.

Simple Fixes to Restore Your News Widget

Let's start with the easy solutions first. These are quick checks and adjustments that often resolve the problem without needing to dig too deep into your settings.

1. Restart Your iPhone or iPad

This might sound cliché, but restarting your device is often the most effective first step. It clears temporary files and processes that might be causing the widget to malfunction. To restart:

  • For iPhones with Face ID: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
  • For iPhones with a Home button: Press and hold the top (or side) button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the top (or side) button until you see the Apple logo.
  • For iPads: The process is similar to iPhones. Press and hold the power button and either volume button (if applicable) until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn it off, then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.

After the restart, check if the News widget has reappeared. If not, move on to the next step.

2. Re-Add the News Widget

It's possible that the widget was accidentally removed. Adding it back is super simple. Here’s how:

  1. Go to your Today View or Home Screen: Swipe right on your Home Screen or Notification Center to access the Today View.
  2. Edit the Widgets: Scroll to the bottom and tap the "Edit" button.
  3. Find the News Widget: Look for the News widget in the list of available widgets. If you see it, tap the "+" button next to it to add it back to your Today View.
  4. Arrange the Widget: You can tap and hold the three horizontal lines on the right side of the widget to drag and rearrange its position.
  5. Tap "Done": Once you’re satisfied, tap "Done" in the top right corner to save your changes.

3. Check Your News App Settings

Sometimes, the issue isn't with the widget itself but with the News app's settings. Make sure notifications and background app refresh are enabled. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Find News: Scroll down and tap on "News."
  3. Notifications: Ensure that "Allow Notifications" is toggled on. Tap on "Notifications" to customize the types of alerts you receive.
  4. Background App Refresh: Go back to the main Settings screen, then tap "General," and then "Background App Refresh." Make sure that "Background App Refresh" is toggled on, and that News is also enabled in the list of apps.

Enabling these settings ensures that the News app can fetch the latest stories and display them in the widget.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If the simple fixes didn't work, it's time to move on to more advanced troubleshooting. These steps involve deeper settings adjustments and might require a bit more technical know-how.

4. Update Your iOS Version

An outdated iOS version can sometimes cause compatibility issues with widgets. Updating to the latest version can resolve these problems. Here’s how to update your iOS:

  1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. General: Tap on "General."
  3. Software Update: Tap on "Software Update."
  4. Download and Install: If there’s an update available, tap "Download and Install." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery life before starting the update.

5. Reset Your Home Screen Layout

If the News widget is still missing, resetting your Home Screen layout can sometimes help. This will restore the default arrangement of your apps and widgets.

  1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. General: Tap on "General."
  3. Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad: Scroll down and tap on "Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad."
  4. Reset: Tap on "Reset."
  5. Reset Home Screen Layout: Choose "Reset Home Screen Layout." This will return your Home Screen to its original configuration.

Keep in mind that this will rearrange all your apps and widgets, so you’ll need to reorganize them afterward.

6. Check for Restrictions

Sometimes, restrictions settings can prevent certain apps or widgets from functioning correctly. Make sure there are no restrictions blocking the News widget. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Screen Time: Tap on "Screen Time."
  3. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Tap on "Content & Privacy Restrictions." If it's turned off, this isn't the source of your problems.
  4. Allowed Apps: If Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, tap on "Allowed Apps" and make sure that News is enabled.

7. Reinstall the News App

If none of the above steps work, try deleting and reinstalling the News app. This can resolve any underlying issues with the app itself.

  1. Delete the App: Tap and hold the News app icon on your Home Screen until it starts jiggling. Tap the "x" in the corner of the icon to delete it.
  2. Confirm Deletion: Tap "Delete" to confirm.
  3. Reinstall from App Store: Open the App Store, search for "Apple News," and reinstall the app.

After reinstalling, you may need to reconfigure your News app preferences and re-add the widget to your Today View.

Contacting Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the News widget is still missing, it might be time to contact Apple Support. There could be a more complex issue at play that requires professional assistance.

You can contact Apple Support through their website, by phone, or by visiting an Apple Store. Be sure to have your device information ready, such as the model and iOS version, to help them diagnose the problem more efficiently.

Preventing the Issue from Recurring

To minimize the chances of the News widget disappearing again, consider the following tips:

  • Keep Your iOS Updated: Regularly update your iOS to the latest version to ensure compatibility and stability.
  • Regularly Check Widget Settings: Periodically review your widget settings to ensure that the News widget is still added and configured correctly.
  • Avoid Accidental Removal: Be careful when rearranging your Home Screen or Today View to avoid accidentally removing the News widget.

Conclusion

Losing your News widget can be a minor inconvenience, but it’s usually a simple fix. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to restore your News widget and stay informed on the latest headlines. Remember to start with the easy solutions first, and gradually move on to the more advanced steps if necessary. Good luck, and happy reading!