Tech Tuesday: Mastering the WiiM Now Playing Widget on iOS & Android

Effortless music control is just a tap away with the WiiM Home Now Playing Widget, available on both iOS and Android. This feature streamlines your listening experience without needing to open the WiiM Home app by putting playback controls on your lock screen, home screen, or control center.

Why Use the Now Playing Widget?​

It’s easy… but if you want more reasons…

• Instant Access – Control playback without navigating through multiple screens.
• Effortless Volume Control – Adjust sound levels directly from your device.
• Seamless Multitasking – Keep your music flowing while using other apps.
• Quick App Launch – Tap the widget to open the WiiM Home app for deeper controls.

How to Use It​

On iOS:

• Lock Screen: Tap the screen to reveal playback controls.
• Home Screen: Swipe down to access the widget when the app is running in the background.
• Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner for instant playback management.

On Android:

• Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.
• Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.
• Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

Limitations to Keep in Mind​

• AirPlay support is not available via the widget.
• Third-party music apps are not integrated into the widget’s controls.

For a full breakdown, check out the official guides iOS Widget and Android Widget

 

[hgo58]

For Android this actually depends on what brand you are using.

On the OnePlus phone I have no widget or lock-screen and the volume control is not working correctly.

 

[RyanWithWiiM]

For Android this actually depends on what brand you are using.

On the OnePlus phone I have no widget or lock-screen and the volume control is not working correctly.

I'll ask the team if they've tested out that brand!

 

[BK308]

Unfortunately I had to turn this feature off. Whenever I needed to adjust my iPhone volume, either from control center or the physical buttons, it would change the volume on my Apple TV. This would infuriate my wife because it interfered with her British murder mysteries lol

 

[Skull]

Unfortunately I had to turn this feature off. Whenever I needed to adjust my iPhone volume, either from control center or the physical buttons, it would change the volume on my Apple TV. This would infuriate my wife because it interfered with her British murder mysteries lol

Yes I turned mine off as it ate my battery and didn’t find it that useful myself

 

[BK308]

Yes I turned mine off as it ate my battery and didn’t find it that useful myself

I didn’t notice the battery drain. Not good if that was happening.

 

[Skull]

I didn’t notice the battery drain. Not good if that was happening.

That’s before latest update not tried it since first release but I don’t really need it tbh

 

[pieterv1]

For Android this actually depends on what brand you are using.

On the OnePlus phone I have no widget or lock-screen and the volume control is not working correctly.

No, we're still missing an Android widget *period*. Widgets in Android come as part of installed apps - independent of the brand or Android version. It's not available on my Pixel either.

I don't know where the information in original post comes from.

 

[slartibartfast]

No, we're still missing an Android widget *period*. Widgets in Android come as part of installed apps - independent of the brand or Android version. It's not available on my Pixel either.

I don't know where the information in original post comes from.

It isn't really a widget. It just appears in the notification area.

 

[hgo58]

It isn't really a widget. It just appears in the notification area.

That is what WiiM call the "Notification Panel".

Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.

Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.

Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

 

[slartibartfast]

That is what WiiM call the "Notification Panel".

Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.

Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.

Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

I am not sure what your point is, I am just clarifying that it isn't a widget in the accepted Android sense as it isn't added to the home screen.

 

[hgo58]

I am not sure what your point is, I am just clarifying that it isn't a widget in the accepted Android sense as it isn't added to the home screen.

No, it's missing but should be there according to WiiM documentation and the start of this thread.

 

[Wiimer]

No, it's missing but should be there according to WiiM documentation and the start of this thread.

Where can you find documentation on home screen widgets?
I can't find it on any of my Android devices.

Also, the documentation seems to refer to notification panel controllers as widgets

Simplify Your Music Control via Android Widget and Lock Screen Control

TABLE OF CONTENTS Benefits How to Use Android Widget and Lock Screen Control Scenario 1: From the Lock Screen Scenario 2: From the Notification Panel Limitations The WiiM Home app now features Android Widget and Lock Screen Control to...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[Burnside]

Where can you find documentation on home screen widgets?
I can't find it on any of my Android devices.

Also, the documentation seems to refer to notification panel controllers as widgets

Simplify Your Music Control via Android Widget and Lock Screen Control

TABLE OF CONTENTS Benefits How to Use Android Widget and Lock Screen Control Scenario 1: From the Lock Screen Scenario 2: From the Notification Panel Limitations The WiiM Home app now features Android Widget and Lock Screen Control to...

faq.wiimhome.com

On my Motorola phone, a long press on a vacant area of the home screen brings up a small menu where one of the entries is “widgets”. That list doesn’t show any for the WiiM app

 

[Wiimer]

On my Motorola phone, a long press on a vacant area of the home screen brings up a small menu where one of the entries is “widgets”. That list doesn’t show any for the WiiM app

Yes, I'm same. I have never seen a widget for the home screen

 

[hgo58]

Where can you find documentation on home screen widgets?
I can't find it on any of my Android devices.

Also, the documentation seems to refer to notification panel controllers as widgets

Simplify Your Music Control via Android Widget and Lock Screen Control

TABLE OF CONTENTS Benefits How to Use Android Widget and Lock Screen Control Scenario 1: From the Lock Screen Scenario 2: From the Notification Panel Limitations The WiiM Home app now features Android Widget and Lock Screen Control to...

faq.wiimhome.com

See e.g. the start of this thread.

• Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.
• Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.
• Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

 

[pieterv1]

See e.g. the start of this thread.

• Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.
• Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.
• Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

Yup, seems like they're the ones getting things mixed up or at least are talking about a future version of the WH app.

 

[Wiimer]

See e.g. the start of this thread.

• Home Screen Widget: Add the widget for quick access to playback controls.
• Lock Screen Controls: Manage playback directly from your lock screen.
• Notification Panel: Swipe down to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause music.

At least not yet.

 

[reniro]

Runs also great on iOS26.. It only changes between pause and play every 5 seconds.. The music won't stop playing but this could also the a iOS beta thing ?! Every 5 Seconds its refreshing the widget so the playtime is jumping in steps too.

 

[RyanWithWiiM]

Hey guys, you're absolutely correct, there's no Android Home Screen Widget currently. I got a little over zealous I see. I've given the first post a correction. I'll check in with the team to see if that's coming down the line sometime though!