The Google Tasks widget for iPhone is easy to miss. It is not front and center in the iOS widget gallery, and Google does not advertise it heavily. But it exists, it works well, and once you have it on your home screen you will wonder why you did not set it up sooner.

This guide walks through exactly how to add the Google Tasks widget to your iPhone home screen and Lock Screen, what it shows once it is there, and what its limitations are. At the end, there are a few alternative widgets that offer more than Google Tasks does out of the box, including Lifestack's iPhone widget for anyone who wants their task list connected to an AI scheduler.

If you are also curious about how Google Tasks compares to other options on the iPhone side, the full iPhone setup guide and the Google Tasks desktop apps guide cover the broader picture. For sharing tasks from an iPhone, see how to share Google Tasks.

Key Takeaways

• Google Tasks has an iPhone widget that shows upcoming tasks; you add it through the standard iOS widget picker

• The Google Tasks Lock Screen widget is a small inline widget that shows your next task; it only works on iOS 16 and above

• If you want an iPhone widget with AI scheduling, Lifestack's widget shows your upcoming time-blocked tasks alongside your calendar

How to Add the Google Tasks Widget to Your iPhone Home Screen

Before you can add the widget, make sure the Google Tasks app is installed on your iPhone. You can download it free from the App Store. Once installed and signed in, here is how to add the home screen widget:

1. Long-press an empty area of your iPhone home screen until the apps jiggle

2. Tap the plus (+) button in the top-left corner to open the widget gallery

3. Search for "Tasks" or scroll to find Google Tasks in the list

4. Tap Google Tasks and swipe through the available widget sizes (small, medium, or large)

5. Tap "Add Widget" to place it on your home screen

6. Drag it to your preferred position and tap Done

The medium widget is the most useful. It shows your upcoming tasks with due dates and lets you check off items directly from the widget without opening the app. The large widget shows more tasks at once and is useful if you have a long list of things due today.

How to Add the Google Tasks Lock Screen Widget

On iOS 16 and later, you can also add a small Google Tasks widget to your iPhone Lock Screen. This shows your next upcoming task as a small inline element below the clock. It is subtle but useful as a quick reminder of what is next.

1. Long-press your Lock Screen to enter edit mode

2. Tap "Customize" and then "Lock Screen"

3. Tap the widget area below the clock (the row of small icons)

4. Scroll through the widget options to find Google Tasks

5. Tap the Google Tasks widget to add it

6. Tap Done and then Set as Wallpaper Pair

The Lock Screen widget is intentionally minimal. It shows one task at a time (the next upcoming one by due date) and tapping it opens the Tasks app. You cannot check tasks off from the Lock Screen widget directly.

What the Google Tasks Widget Shows (and Its Limits)

The Google Tasks home screen widget shows your tasks sorted by due date. You can tap a checkbox on the widget to mark a task complete without opening the app. Tapping a task title opens it in the Google Tasks app for editing.

The limitations are real. The widget only shows tasks from one list at a time. If you have tasks spread across multiple lists (Work, Personal, Shopping), you need to pick one list per widget, or add multiple widgets. It also does not show tasks without a due date in the standard view, which means anything you added without a date is invisible on the widget.

There is also no interactive calendar view. The widget is a list, not a schedule. If you want to see your tasks plotted on a timeline or alongside your calendar events, the Google Tasks widget does not do that. For that level of view, the apps below are worth considering.

The Best Alternative Task Widgets for iPhone

The Google Tasks widget does the basics well. If you want more from an iPhone widget, here are the strongest alternatives in 2026.

Lifestack

Lifestack's iPhone widget shows your upcoming time-blocked tasks alongside your calendar events. Because Lifestack schedules tasks based on your energy patterns, the widget reflects what you should be working on right now, not just what is in your queue. It is the only task widget here that connects your to-do list to a smart schedule. For people who want their iPhone home screen to show a genuinely actionable view of the day, it is the strongest option. The guide to task management apps for inconsistent energy explains why energy-aware scheduling matters if you are new to the concept.

TickTick

TickTick has one of the most polished iPhone widgets in the task management space. You can show tasks from specific lists, habits, or today's focus. The interactive widget lets you check off tasks from your home screen. TickTick Premium at $49.99/year unlocks additional widget styles and calendar views. See the TickTick review for the full breakdown.

Todoist

Todoist's widget shows today's tasks and lets you add new ones directly from the home screen. The free tier supports basic widgets; the Pro plan at $5/month (annual) adds more widget customization. Todoist's widget is especially good for quick capture on the go. See the Todoist review for context.

Best Tool for iPhone Task Management

Lifestack is the strongest iPhone task tool for anyone who wants more than a list. Its widget shows what you should be doing now based on your calendar and energy levels, not just what is due. The iOS app is full-featured, and the AI scheduler works across both iPhone and desktop. It starts at $9.99/month, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan at $49.99/year.

If you have ADHD or struggle with inconsistent energy, the ADHD to-do list guide covers strategies that pair well with any of the widgets above. For anyone coming from Google Tasks specifically, the full Google Tasks apps roundup shows all of your options in one place.

FAQ

Does Google Tasks have an iPhone widget?

Yes. Google Tasks has home screen widgets in small, medium, and large sizes, plus a Lock Screen widget for iOS 16 and later. You add it through the standard iOS widget picker by long-pressing your home screen and tapping the + button.

Can I check off tasks from the Google Tasks iPhone widget?

Yes. The medium and large home screen widgets let you tap a checkbox to complete a task without opening the app. The Lock Screen widget is read-only and cannot be interacted with directly.

Why is the Google Tasks widget not showing my tasks?

The most common reasons: (1) the widget is set to show a list that is empty, (2) your tasks do not have due dates and the widget is filtering by date, or (3) the Google Tasks app needs to be opened once to sync. Try opening the Google Tasks app and refreshing, then check the widget settings to confirm the right list is selected.

Can I show tasks from multiple Google Task lists in one widget?

No. Each Google Tasks widget shows one list at a time. If you need to see tasks from multiple lists, add multiple widgets side by side on your home screen, each configured to a different list.

What is the best task widget for iPhone?

Lifestack has the most useful widget if you want tasks integrated with your schedule. TickTick has the most customizable widget with the best visual options. Google Tasks is the best free option that works across Gmail and Google Calendar. See the free task management apps guide for a broader comparison.