How to reload widget's UI?

Asked on 2025-06-16

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To reload a widget's UI, you have several options available, as discussed in the session "What’s new in widgets" from WWDC 2025:

  1. Scheduled Timeline Reloads: You can use the Timeline reload policy to update widgets at regular intervals. This is useful for widgets that need to display frequently changing data, like weather or stock prices. The system budgets these updates to maintain performance and battery life.

  2. Widget Center API: If a data change occurs within the app that should be reflected in its widget, you can use the Widget Center's reloadAllTimelines or reloadTimelines(ofKind:) methods. This tells WidgetKit that the widget's content is outdated and needs to be reloaded. This method is not budgeted by the system since it is called when the app is running.

  3. Widget Push Updates: For data changes that occur on a server or another device, you can use widget push updates. A server can send a push notification to APNS, which will tell WidgetKit to reload the app's widgets. These updates are budgeted to maintain performance and battery life.

These options can be used individually or in combination, depending on the needs of your widget. For more details, you can refer to the session What’s new in widgets (18:12).

What’s new in widgets

What’s new in widgets

WidgetKit elevates your app with updates to widgets, Live Activities, and controls. Learn how to bring your widgets to visionOS, take them on the road with CarPlay, and make them look their best with accented rendering modes. Plus, find out how relevant widgets can be surfaced in the Smart Stack on watchOS, and discover how push notifications can be used to keep your widgets up to date.

Extend your app’s controls across the system

Extend your app’s controls across the system

Bring your app’s controls to Control Center, the Lock Screen, and beyond. Learn how you can use WidgetKit to extend your app’s controls to the system experience. We’ll cover how you can to build a control, tailor its appearance, and make it configurable.

What’s new in watchOS 26

What’s new in watchOS 26

Discover the new features in watchOS 26 and learn how to integrate them into your watchOS and iOS apps. Explore the ARM64 architecture, and dive into the new design system. We’ll also share updates for widgets and insights on how to bring controls to Apple Watch.