How to Add a Countdown Widget on iPhone
Want to see your countdown to a birthday, wedding, vacation, or holiday right on your iPhone Home Screen? With DayDrop, you can add beautiful countdown widgets to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and StandBy mode in under a minute.
This guide works with iOS 18, iOS 26, and later versions.
Short answer: iOS has no built-in countdown widget (Clock, Calendar and Reminders don't count down to a date you pick), so install a countdown app, create the event, then long-press the Home Screen → Edit → Add Widget and pick the app. The same event can go on the Lock Screen (circular, rectangular or inline), in StandBy, in Control Center, and as a live Dynamic Island countdown.
What You Need
- iPhone running iOS 18 or later
- DayDrop (free download from the App Store)
Step 1: Download DayDrop and Create a Countdown
Download DayDrop from the App Store. It's free with unlimited countdowns.
Open the app, tap the + button, enter your event name (e.g., "Beach Vacation"), pick a date, and choose a category. DayDrop will automatically generate a beautiful background.
Step 2: Add a Home Screen Widget
Long-press on your Home Screen until apps jiggle.
Tap the + button (top-left corner).
Search for "DayDrop" in the widget gallery.
Choose your size: Small (single event), Medium (event with details), or Large (multiple events).
Tap "Add Widget" and position it on your Home Screen.
DayDrop widgets show your countdown with beautiful photo backgrounds, the event name, date, and days remaining. They update automatically throughout the day.
Step 3: Add a Lock Screen Widget
Long-press on your Lock Screen.
Tap "Customize" and select your Lock Screen.
Tap the widget area below the clock.
Search for "DayDrop" and choose from: circular gauge, rectangular detail, or inline text.
Tap "Done".
Lock Screen widgets let you see your countdown every time you glance at your phone — without unlocking it.
Step 4: Add a StandBy Widget
Place your iPhone on a charger in landscape orientation.
StandBy mode activates automatically.
Swipe left to the widgets view.
Long-press and tap + to add DayDrop.
StandBy mode turns your iPhone into a beautiful bedside countdown clock — perfect for counting down to your next vacation or big event.
Bonus: Dynamic Island Live Activity
If you have an iPhone with Dynamic Island (iPhone 14 Pro and later), DayDrop can show your countdown right in the Dynamic Island as a Live Activity.
Open DayDrop, tap on any event, and select "Start Live Activity". Your countdown will appear in the Dynamic Island, showing days, hours, and minutes remaining — all without unlocking your phone.
This is a DayDrop Premium feature ($1.99/month or $24.99 lifetime).
Step 5: Add a Control Center Control (iOS 18 and later)
Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, press and hold an empty area, tap Add a Control, search DayDrop and add it.
The control shows your next countdown and its days left, and opens DayDrop with one tap, so it's always two gestures away from any app.
Which surface for which moment
| Surface | Shows | Updates | Free in DayDrop? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Screen widget | Days (or weeks/months), name, background; multi-event list in Medium/Large | Daily; live H:MM:SS in the final 24 hours of a timed event | Small and Medium yes; Large and ExtraLarge Premium |
| Lock Screen widget | Days in a circular gauge, rectangle with name, or inline text above the clock | Daily | Premium |
| StandBy | The Small widget, full-screen on a charger | Daily | Yes |
| Dynamic Island / Live Activity | Days with a progress ring; hours, minutes, seconds in the final day | Live | Premium |
| Control Center | Next countdown with days left; one tap opens the app | Daily | Yes |
For the Lock Screen in depth (the three shapes, how many fit, 8 apps compared) see the Lock Screen countdown guide; for a countdown that ticks by the second see live countdown widgets vs Live Activities.
Widget Sizes and What They Show
| Widget | Shows | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Days + event name | Quick glance |
| Medium | Days + name + date + photo | Featured event |
| Large | Multiple events | Overview of all countdowns |
| Lock Screen | Days remaining | Always visible |
| StandBy | Large countdown | Bedside/desk display |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do countdown widgets update automatically?
Yes. DayDrop widgets update throughout the day to show the correct number of days remaining. No manual refresh needed.
Can I have multiple countdown widgets?
Yes. You can add as many DayDrop widgets as you want to your Home Screen, each showing a different event.
Is DayDrop free?
Yes. Small and Medium Home Screen widgets are free. Lock Screen, Large, StandBy widgets, and Live Activities are Premium features ($1.99/month or $24.99 lifetime).
Which iPhones support countdown widgets?
All iPhones running iOS 18 or later support Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets. StandBy mode requires iOS 17+. Dynamic Island Live Activities require iPhone 14 Pro or later.