How to edit widgets on Mac
Change widget options, move widgets, adjust desktop widget appearance, and use Kepo when you need a more custom widget.
Editing widgets on Mac depends on the widget. Some widgets let you choose an account, list, location, calendar, device, or view. Others only let you move or remove them.
The useful way to think about widget editing is simple: change the widget content, change where it appears, or change the widget system settings.
If the widget you want needs a custom source, custom fields, or a workflow Apple does not provide, use a custom widget tool such as Kepo instead of forcing a built-in widget to do the wrong job.
Key takeaways
- If the widget you want needs a custom source, custom fields, or a workflow Apple does not provide, use a custom widget tool such as Kepo instead of...
- Editing a widget can mean changing what it shows, where it sits, how it appears, or what data source it uses.
- Change widget options, move widgets, adjust desktop widget appearance, and use Kepo when you need a more custom widget.
Quick solution guide
Start here if you want the short version before reading the full guide.
Try the workflow in Kepo
Create desktop widgets for the feeds, websites, monitors, and small checks you repeat every day.
Edit the information a widget shows
Control-click a widget and look for an Edit option. If the widget supports editing, you can change the information it shows, such as a list, location, calendar, or selected source.
Not every widget has editable settings. If no edit option appears, that widget may only support moving, removing, or opening its app.
Move and resize widgets
To move a desktop widget, drag it to a new position. If a widget offers multiple sizes, remove the current version and add the size you want from the widget gallery.
For Notification Center, open it and use Edit Widgets when you want to add, remove, or adjust the widget stack.
Change desktop widget appearance
Open System Settings, go to Desktop & Dock, then review the Widgets section. You can control where widgets show and whether desktop widgets appear in color or monochrome.
Customize widgets with Kepo
Kepo is useful when editing means more than choosing a built-in option. You can define a source, the fields to show, the refresh behavior, and the widget layout.
This is the better fit for RSS feeds, website status, GitHub checks, AI text workflows, and other repeated tasks that do not have a native Mac widget.
Edit widgets FAQ
How do I edit a widget on Mac?
Control-click the widget and choose Edit if that widget supports editable settings.
Why does my widget not have an edit option?
Some widgets do not expose editable settings. In that case you can move it, remove it, or add a different widget size from the widget gallery.
Can I customize a widget that is not in the widget gallery?
The macOS widget gallery only includes supported app widgets. For custom sources and workflows, use a custom widget tool such as Kepo.
Edit built-in widgets when the built-in options are enough.
Use Kepo when the source, layout, or workflow needs to be custom.