How to Add a Countdown Widget on iPhone

Adding a countdown widget to your iPhone takes less than two minutes. Whether you are tracking a vacation, birthday, wedding, or concert, a widget on your home screen keeps the excitement front and center every time you pick up your phone. This guide walks you through every step.

Download Outside free

Step-by-step guide

Download Outside from the App Store

Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for "Outside", and tap Get. Outside is free to download and works on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later.

Create your first countdown

Open the Outside app, tap the + button, give your countdown a name, pick the date, and choose a photo. Your countdown is now saved and ready to display on a widget.

Long-press your home screen and tap +

Go to your iPhone home screen and long-press on an empty area until the icons start to jiggle. Then tap the + button in the top-left corner to open the widget gallery.

Search for "Outside" and pick a widget size

In the widget gallery, search for "Outside". You will see options for small, medium, and large widgets. Pick the size that fits your home screen layout best.

Tap Add Widget, then tap Done

Tap Add Widget to place the countdown on your home screen. Drag it into position if needed, then tap Done in the top-right corner. Your countdown widget is now live and will update automatically every day.

Bonus: Add a countdown to your lock screen

Long-press the lock screen

Wake your iPhone and long-press the lock screen. Tap Customize, then select the Lock Screen option.

Tap the widget area

Tap the widget area below the time. Search for "Outside" in the widget list and pick a lock screen widget style.

Save your lock screen

Tap Done to save. You will now see your countdown every time you glance at your phone without unlocking it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Outside countdown widget free?

Yes. Outside is free to download and use. You can create unlimited countdowns and add home screen and lock screen widgets at no cost. Premium widget styles are available with an optional subscription.

What iPhone models support countdown widgets?

Countdown widgets work on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later. Lock screen widgets require iOS 16+, and Live Activities on the Dynamic Island require iPhone 14 Pro or later.

Can I add multiple countdown widgets to my home screen?

Absolutely. You can add as many countdown widgets as you like. Each widget can display a different countdown, so you can track multiple events at once.

Can I add a photo to my countdown widget?

Yes. You can use any photo from your camera roll or choose from a curated collection of images. Your photo appears as the widget background so every countdown feels personal.