With macOS Sonoma, Apple has introduced widgets to our Mac desktops, bringing a feature that’s already familiar to iPad users. These widgets are similar to those on iPadOS, making the transition seamless. What’s cool is that macOS Sonoma not only lists the apps on your Mac, but also displays widgets for apps on your iPhone, even if those apps aren’t installed on your Mac. These iPhone widgets are clearly labeled, making them easy to identify—a feature we really appreciate.
Adding widgets to your desktop is straightforward—just drag them where you want them. Depending on the app, widgets come in up to four fixed sizes, though some apps may only offer two. While we appreciate the variety, the resizing options on the Mac could be better. It would be nice if we had responsive widgets that could be resized by simply dragging their edges. The extra-large widgets, in particular, are a favorite because they allow more information to be displayed on the screen.
For those who prefer a clutter-free desktop, the old widgets are still available in the notification center. It’s great to see that Apple has kept this functionality, offering flexibility for users who may not want widgets on their desktops. Having options is always a good thing.
One of the most exciting updates in macOS Sonoma is the introduction of interactive widgets. Now, for example, you can mark tasks as complete directly from the desktop without opening Apple Reminders. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t scroll through the entire list of reminders, so if you want to tick off a task at the bottom, you’ll still need to open the app.
You can also play and listen to podcasts right from your desktop, but similar to the reminders widget, you can’t scroll through all the episodes—only the ones at the top of the list are accessible. When you open an app, the widgets fade into the background, allowing you to focus on the app itself. And if you need to see your widgets again, it’s easy to temporarily hide the open apps.
This update from Apple is fantastic. It makes interacting with our apps more convenient without the need to open them fully, and we’re really enjoying this new level of functionality on the Mac.