Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 Marshmallow vs Lollipop vs Jelly Bean/Kitkat

Edited by Leomar Umpad, Lynn, Maureen D., Jerry Rivers and 15 others

3 Methods:
Marshmallow
Lollipop
Jelly Bean/Kitkat
Contents
This is part of the VisiHow series on how to use the Samsung Galaxy S4. You can visit the main VisiHow on how to USE SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 for a full list of S4 VisiHow Articles

Widgets allow you to access and use the main features of an app, directly on the home screen. This can be quite beneficial for saving time and maximizing the usage out of your device. Widgets can be customized and rearranged to suit your specific requirements. This article will discuss how to use widgets on both the home lock screen, on Android Jelly Bean, Kitkat, Lollipop, and Marshmallow."

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Method 1: Marshmallow

Using Widgets

  1. 1
    On the home screen, tap and hold between your icons
    .
    Tap "Widgets" when the icon appears.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 01m.png
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  2. 2
    Inside widgets, tap on the group to expand it.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 02m.png
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  3. 3
    Tap and drag the widget to an available spot on one of your home screens.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 03m.png
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  4. 4
    To remove a widget, tap and drag it to the "Remove" bin.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 04m.png
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  5. 5
    To search for or uninstall a widget, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 05m.png
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Lock Screen Widgets

  1. 1
    On the home screen, tap "Apps"
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 06m.png
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  2. 2
    Inside Apps, tap the "Settings" icon.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 07m.png
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  3. 3
    On the Settings screen, tap "Lock screen".
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 08m.png
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  4. 4
    Inside Lock screen settings you can edit how the widgets display.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 09m.png
    Play around with these settings until you your lock screen looks the way you prefer.
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Method 2: Lollipop

Using Widgets

  1. 1
    On the home screen, tap the three-dot menu below the device's screen.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 01L.png
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  2. 2
    Tap "Widgets" when the icon pops up.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 02L.png
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  3. 3
    Inside widgets, select one by tapping and dragging it to the home screen.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 03L.png
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  4. 4
    You can also search for or uninstall a widget by tapping the three-dot menu icon below the screen.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 05L.png
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  5. 5
    To remove a widget, tap and drag it into the "Remove" icon.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 04L.png
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Lock Screen Widgets

  1. 1
    From the home screen, tap the "Apps" icon.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 06L.png
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  2. 2
    Inside Apps, tap "Settings".
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 07L.png
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  3. 3
    On the Settings screen, tap "My device", followed by "Lock screen".
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 08L.png
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  4. 4
    While on Lock screen settings, tap "Lock screen widgets".
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 09L.png
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  5. 5
    On the Lock screen widget page you can edit how widgets appear on the lock screen.
    Use Widgets on Samsung Galaxy S4 10LL.png
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Experiment with these settings until you find a combination that suits you.

Method 3: Jelly Bean/Kitkat

Types of Widgets

  1. 1
    1 Information Widgets -- These are the type of widgets that offer the user information that is important and critical to him.PNG
    Information Widgets - These widgets provide the user with information important and critical to them
    .
    These include weather widgets, clock widgets, calendar widgets and other widgets that update you on an event or activity that may require tracking information.
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  • 2
    2 Collection Widgets -- These are the types of widgets that displays collections of items such as news stories, emails, or pictures.PNG
    Collection Widgets - These are the types of widgets that display collections of items such as new stories from the news app, emails from the email app, or pictures from the gallery app
    .
    Collection widgets focus on two functions: Browsing the collection and opening an element from the collection for viewing and use.
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  • 3
    3 Collection Widgets - These are the types of widgets that displays collections of items such as news stories, emails, or pictures.PNG
    Control Widgets - These widgets allow the user control over the phone without going to the application or settings
    .
    A music widget will allow you to control the Music Player without opening it. Connection widgets allow you to manage your radio connections without going to the settings.
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  • 4
    Hybrid Widgets - These widgets have two or more of the characteristics of the ones listed above.
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    • Add widgets to Samsung Galaxy S4

    1. 1
      Go to your Home menu.
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    2. 2
      Tap on Apps > Widgets.
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    3. 3
      You will be shown the available widgets
      .
      You can navigate through the widgets by scrolling left or right.
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    4. 4
      When you have chosen your desired widget, tap and press on it to add it to the Home screen.
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    Add widgets to Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

    S4 allows the use of widgets, even on the lock screen. To do it:

    1. 1
      Pull down the Notifications drawer and tap on "Settings" (gear icon), located on the upper-right portion of the screen.
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    2. 2
      In settings, tap on "My Device".
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    3. 3
      In the "My Device" tab, tap on "Lock Screen".
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    4. 4
      Tap on the check box next to the "Multiple Widgets" option to add widgets to your lock screen.
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    5. 5
      Lock your screen by pressing the Power button once.
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    6. 6
      Bring up your screen by pressing the Power button again.
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    7. 7
      You are now on the lock screen, where you can tap on a plus tile to add a widget to it.
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    8. 8
      Navigate through each lock screen by doing a swiping gesture.
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    9. 9
      You can use up to six widgets on the lock screen, once each on its six lock screens.
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    How to move widgets from one page to another and to the Home screen

    1. 1
      In Standby mode (on the Home screen) tap the "Apps" button
      Apps pic.PNG
      that you will find at the lower right hand corner of your screen.
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    2. 2
      Click "Widgets" at the top right hand corner of your screen, and there will be a popup menu of all your available widgets.
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    3. 3
      Tap the widget that you choose to move, and hold it until it detaches, and it will now take you to your Home screen.
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    4. 4
      Move it around to select where you want that particular widget to be.
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    5. 5
      Let go of the widget when you have found your preferred place for it.
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    Is it possible to add a Search box in the widget page?

    It is possible to add a Google search page on the widget page. To do this:

    1. 1
      Go to your Home screen
      .
      You can go to your Home screen by tapping on the Home key once or tapping on the Back key a few times.
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    2. 2
      Tap on the Apps icon on the lower-right part of your Home screen
      .
      You will be taken to the Apps list.
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    3. 3
      Tap on the Widgets Tab
      .
      From the App list view, change the view into widget view by tapping on the Widgets tab on the upper-right part of your phone's screen.
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    4. 4
      Tap on the Menu Key
      .
      The Menu key is located at the lower-right part of your phone. Tap on it once to view three options: Play Store, Search and Uninstall.
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    5. 5
      Tap on Search
      .
      Since you want to add a search box in the widget page, and a search box will now appear at the upper part of your screen.
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    6. 6
      Start searching
      .
      You can input some keywords to search for available widgets on the widget page. The more characters you put on the search box, the more refined the results of the search will be.
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    7. 7
      You have just learned how to add a search box in the widget page of your Galaxy S4.
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    How to hide and delete widgets on the Galaxy S4

    If you want to hide and delete a widget:

    1. 1
      Scroll on the Home screen to any spot free of apps icons, so that you do not open them accidentally.
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    2. 2
      Tap "Apps and Widgets"
      .
      You will find it about halfway down on the Home screen.
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    3. 3
      Tap the "Widgets" tab at the top right of your screen.
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    4. 4
      To delete a widget, press and hold it until it becomes larger.
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    5. 5
      Now, note that there is a bright yellow framing on the widget if it can be re-sized
      .
      Drag the widget to the "Remove" icon, which looks like a trash can.
      trash pic.PNG
      .
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    6. 6
      Take your finger off, and you have removed the widget from your Home screen.
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    7. 7
      The widget is now removed
      .
      This procedure will not permanently delete your widget. However, it is no longer on the Home screen from where it was located. The widget is hidden, and can be easily retrieved if you ever want it back on the Home page.
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    How to permanently delete widgets on the Samsung Galaxy S4

    If you need more space or memory on your Galaxy S4, you can uninstall an application. If you want to permanently delete a widget on your Galaxy S4, or any Android mobile device, you must remove its software program. Keep in mind that once the widget is permanently removed, the only way to retrieve it will be to re-install it. This is a simple procedure, however. Just follow the instructions below.

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    1. 1
      Press on the Home button once to get to the Home page
      .
      You can also repeatedly tap on the Back button to get to Home.
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    2. 2
      Once you are on Home, tap on the Menu key (lower-left soft key) to be able to see available options on the Home menu.
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    3. 3
      From the Home menu, scroll down to "Settings" and tap it.
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    4. 4
      Tap on the "More" tabs.
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    5. 5
      Tap "Applications Manager".
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    6. 6
      Select and tap the application you desire to permanently delete.
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    7. 7
      Tap "Uninstall" on the menu.
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    8. 8
      Tap "OK".
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    9. 9
      You have now uninstalled the widget.
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    Another alternative way of un-installing your widget is by following the procedures below:

    1. 1
      Press on the Home button once to get to the Home button
      .
      You can also repeatedly tap on the Back button to get to Home.
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    2. 2
      From Home, tap on the Applications icon on the lower-right part of the Favorites tab.
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    3. 3
      On the application list, tap on the "Widgets" tab on the upper-right part of your screen.
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    4. 4
      On Widgets, tap on the Menu button (lower-left soft key) to see available options.
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    5. 5
      From the list of options, tap on "Uninstall".
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    6. 6
      Widgets that can be deleted will now have a "red minus" sign on the upper right part of their icons
      .
      Tap on that sign to remove the widget from your device.
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    7. 7
      You are done with deleting widgets.
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    8. 8
      Take note
      :
      Some widgets cannot be deleted. These widgets are part of your phone's "from the box" package.
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    How to re-size a widget

    Many widgets are re-sizable. Why do this? You may want a widget that is easier to find, and you want it to be easily spotted for quicker access among a myriad of widgets on your Home screen. The solution is to make it bigger so it will stand out "in the crowd". Follow these easy instructions to make a widget bigger or smaller.

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    1. 1
      Press the widget you want to re-size and hold it
      .
      Now, you will see there is a bright yellow frame around the widget if it can be re-sized.
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    2. 2
      Just drag your finger on the edges of the widget to change its dimensions.
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    3. 3
      Once it is the desired width and length, take your finger off the widget.
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    4. 4
      You are in edit mode with this action, so tap any open space on your screen now to exit this mode.
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    The above procedures will allow you to shape the look and use of your Samsung Galaxy S4 screen easily.

    Questions and Answers

    How do you reread a note you added in the calendar widget last week?

    I added a regular note to one day in the calendar last week. I want to reread the note I wrote last week. I don't know how to open it to read the note again. Please help

    You need to follow these steps to open your note -

    1. Open Calendar

    2. Go to the date on which you added the note in the calendar.

    3. You will find your note there.

    How to use the S4 homepages and widgets?

    I just switched from a Windows phone to a S4 and never had to use widgets, this phone is much different, I haven't figured out how to resize the widgets or how to get rid of extra home pages I don't need

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    To delete a home screen:

    To update your smartphone, see this tutorial.

    To resize a widget, please see [tutorial].

    Hello I have my new smart phone and I was trying to learn about widgets and why my battery is draining so quickly?

    I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 (about 1 month old and without using it, the battery drains from 100% to 15% by the end of the day. I have a lot turned off (like Bluetooth) and I constantly close open applications. Do you have any advice...thank you in advance.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    There is an information bar in the top right corner of my phone that displays the time, WiFi, reception bars, etc. Is there a way to remove this?

    Specifically I'm trying to take a screenshot of a picture but that bar is always in the photos

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    How can I re-size the memo widget on one full page of my Samsung Tab4?

    Hello I have the memo widget on my Samsung Tab4 and I want to re-size it. The only available size is 3X3. When I move it to a blank page I can re-size top to bottom but not left to right. What I want is a full page memo. Is this size available?

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Widgets have disappeared, can you help get them back?

    After a Factory Reset and back up and restore, widgets seem to have disappeared

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Thank you! The problem is that the weather details on the locked screen of my Samsung S4 cannot be removed. How to remove that?

    Thank you! The problem is that the weather details on the locked screen of my Samsung S4 cannot be removed. How to remove that?

    The solution depends on the application used. Let us review most of the possible solutions.

    Method 1.

    1. 1
      Press the home button.
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    2. 2
      Tap on "Apps".
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    3. 3
      Tap on "Settings".
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    4. 4
      Tap on the "More" tab.
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    5. 5
      Tap on ""Application manager".
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    6. 6
      Swipe left or right to the "RUNNING" section.
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    7. 7
      Find "Weather", "AccuWeather", or both
      .
      Tap on "Force stop" and then "Disable" or "Uninstall".
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    8. 8
      Restart your phone.
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    Method 2.

    1. 1
      Press the home button.
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    2. 2
      Tap on "Apps".
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    3. 3
      Tap on "Settings".
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    4. 4
      Tap on "Sound and notification".
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    5. 5
      Tap on "Application notification".
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    6. 6
      Disable the Weather or Accuweather application by blocking its notifications.
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    Method 3.

    1. 1
      Press the home button.
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    2. 2
      Tap on "Apps".
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    3. 3
      Tap on "Settings".
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    4. 4
      Tap on "Sound and notification".
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    5. 5
      Tap on "Notifications on lock screen".
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    6. 6
      Tap on "Do not show notifications".
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    Method 4.

    1. 1
      Open Play Store.
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    2. 2
      Search for "lock screen"
      .
      Tap on any application that allows to customize the lock screen. For example, download and install WidgetLocker Lockscreen.
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    3. 3
      Your application will allow you to customize which widgets or buttons are allowed or blocked on the lock screen.
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    Method 5.

    1. 1
      Press the home button.
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    2. 2
      Tap on "Apps".
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    3. 3
      Tap on "Settings".
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    4. 4
      Tap on "Lock screen & security".
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    5. 5
      Tap on "Show Information".
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    6. 6
      Tap on "Weather".
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    7. 7
      Switch "Lock Screen" to the off position.
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    Method 6.

    1. 1
      Press the home button.
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    2. 2
      Tap on "Apps".
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    3. 3
      Tap on "Settings".
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    4. 4
      Tap on "Lock screen".
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    5. 5
      Tap on "Additional information".
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    6. 6
      Uncheck "Weather".
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    Hi, I have apps popping up on my screen and I can't remove them since the iOS update hence the touch wiz is no longer working?

    How can I remove unwanted apps widgets

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Uninstalling Apps is causing me some confusion, I hope you can help?

    I'm trying to uninstall Google Earth and presume I may encounter other apps which offer the same procedures. There is 'force stop', 'uninstall updates' and disable. No uninstall! I have a Galaxy S4. Thank you.. I have tried: What? I'm just trying to uninstall apps.. I think it was caused by: It is a second-hand phone and I'm trying to make it mine.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Sorry I am so dense. how do I get to the home menu?

    My problem is I have lost the date on my unlock screen. I have the time at the top, next line has the temperature but next to the temperature the date has disappeared. I then have icons for 6 smaller icons for apps. Where the date use to be I get problem loading widget. I how do I get to the home menu? Is it the first menu screen that appears when I unlock.. I have tried: Nothing so far. I think it was caused by: I do not know

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    Accidentally moved sticky note to recycle bin, can I get back info?

    I accidentally moved sticky note widget to recycle bin. Need the info I had on my note back, how can I retrieve this info, is it possible to get back this info and how can I do it. I need to restore widget and information that was noted on it. I have tried: Open from widget off home page. Searched in my phone application. I think it was caused by: Widget was located on the top of my home page. I pressed it too long and the recycle bin appeared under it on top of page and widget was gone into bin. Now I need my info that I had saved on my sticky note.

    Was this helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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