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How to add a cute widget to your iPhone Home Screen and StandBy

Put a widget on your Home Screen, choose which design it shows, and add the same widget to StandBy — the bedside view your iPhone shows while it charges on its side.

Updated 5 min read

A widget is the quickest way to make your Home Screen feel like yours — a sticker with a caption, a clock in your colours, an affirmation that changes during the day. This guide covers adding one, choosing which design it shows, and putting it in StandBy as well.

First, make the widget

In GirlyMaps, the Widgets tab has ready-made designs and a Create button. A design is a template (Stickers, Clocks, Affirmations or Places), your text, a sticker, a palette, a background pattern and a font. Save it, and it becomes one of the designs the widget can show.

The Main Character widget design
Main Character
The Strawberry Clock widget design
Strawberry Clock
The Daily Sparkle widget design
Daily Sparkle

Add it to your Home Screen

  1. Touch and hold

    On your Home Screen, touch and hold an empty spot until the apps jiggle.

  2. Edit → Add Widget

    Tap Edit at the top left, then Add Widget. The widget gallery opens.

  3. Find GirlyMaps

    Search “GirlyMaps”, pick it and tap Add Widget. Drag it where you want it, then tap Done.

  4. Choose your design

    Touch and hold the widget → Edit Widget → Design, then pick yours. Your own designs come first, then the ready-made ones.

Add it to StandBy

StandBy turns your iPhone into a little display while it charges: lock it, plug it in, and turn it on its side. The first StandBy view shows widgets, two side by side.

  1. Start StandBy

    Lock your iPhone, put it on charge and turn it on its side. If nothing happens, check that StandBy is on in Settings → StandBy.

  2. Open the widget view

    Swipe horizontally until you see the two widget stacks.

  3. Edit the stack

    Touch and hold a widget. Your iPhone asks you to unlock with Face ID, then the stack wiggles.

  4. Add GirlyMaps

    Tap + at the top, find GirlyMaps and add its widget. Touch and hold it again to choose the design.

StandBy can show widgets without their usual background. GirlyMaps draws its design underneath itself, so the widget keeps its colours and pattern there too.

And on CarPlay

The same design can live on your car screen. CarPlay widgets are set up from Settings rather than the Home Screen — follow the CarPlay widget guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change what a widget shows?
Touch and hold the widget and tap Edit Widget. Widgets with options — like GirlyMaps' Design — list them there.
What is StandBy on iPhone?
StandBy is the full-screen view your iPhone shows when it is charging, locked and turned on its side. It can show a clock, photos or widgets, which makes it a nice bedside or desk display.
Can I use the same widget on CarPlay?
Yes. A GirlyMaps widget design works on the Home Screen, in StandBy and on CarPlay's widget screen (iOS 26 or later). CarPlay widgets are added from Settings → General → CarPlay instead of the Home Screen.
How many widgets can I make for free?
Ready-made designs with free stickers are free, and you can save 1 design of your own. GirlyMaps Pro unlocks unlimited designs and every sticker.

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