How to Create Custom Widgets with Gemini Intelligence on Android

Android home screens have long been customizable, but building the exact widget you need usually meant waiting for a developer or settling for limited templates. Create My Widget, part of Gemini Intelligence, changes that. Describe what you want in plain language, and Gemini builds a functional, resizable widget for your home screen.

This feature arrived with Gemini Intelligence on advanced Android devices. It works alongside other tools like multi-step app automation and Rambler for cleaner voice-to-text. If you own a compatible Pixel or Galaxy phone, you can start using it today.

For related Android AI setup, see our guide on adding Gemini to Android apps with Firebase AI Logic.

What is Gemini Intelligence?

Gemini Intelligence packages Google’s most advanced Gemini capabilities for qualifying Android hardware. It requires devices with strong on-device AI processing, typically 12GB or more RAM and a recent flagship chipset. Eligible phones currently include the Pixel 11 series and select Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Flip8, and later models. Features roll out in waves and can vary by region and language.

The system keeps you in control. Gemini only acts when you ask, and sensitive actions need your confirmation. Privacy controls let you manage data access and turn individual features on or off in settings.

Create My Widget explained

Create My Widget is generative UI for Android’s classic widgets. Instead of choosing from a fixed list, you describe the information or layout you need. Gemini combines its knowledge, Google Search results, and connected Google apps (such as Calendar or Gmail) to generate the widget.

Examples from Google’s announcement include:

• A weekly high-protein meal-prep recipe dashboard.
• A cycling weather widget that shows only wind speed and rain chance.
• A countdown to a marathon or other personal event.
• A combined view of upcoming flights, hotel details, and a countdown for a trip.

The widget is resizable and can appear on your phone or a paired Wear OS watch. You can edit it after generation if the first result needs tweaks. It does not pull live data from arbitrary third-party apps; it relies on public web information and your connected Google services.

A dedicated Create My Widget app later appeared on the Play Store, offering categories such as Combo, Weather alerts, Daily Brief, Important dates, and Markets as starting points, plus a free-text prompt field.

Requirements and setup

Confirm your device supports Gemini Intelligence:

1. Open Settings and search for Gemini or check the official support page for current eligible models.
2. Ensure the device meets the hardware bar (recent flagship SOC, sufficient RAM, latest media and AI processing capabilities).
3. Update the Google app, Gemini app, and system software.
4. Sign in with your Google account and set Gemini as the default assistant if prompted.
5. Optionally connect Google apps under Personal Intelligence so widgets can pull relevant personal context.

Features may be limited until full rollout. Check the Play Store for the Create My Widget app on supported devices.

Step-by-step: build your first custom widget

1. Long-press an empty area on your home screen to open the widgets picker, or open the Create My Widget app if available.
2. Look for the Create option or “Describe your widget” field.
3. Type a clear prompt. Be specific about content and any constraints. Example: “Show only wind speed and chance of rain for cycling today, with a simple layout.”
4. Submit the prompt. Gemini generates one or more suggestions.
5. Preview the result. Tap Edit if you want to refine size, text, colors (using Material 3 Expressive shapes), or content.
6. Add the widget to your home screen and resize it as needed.
7. Repeat for additional widgets. You can also start from category templates and then customize them with further prompts.

Track progress through any notifications Gemini shows while it works. The final placement is always under your control.

Tips for better results

• Write concrete prompts. “Countdown to my first marathon on June 25 with days remaining” produces a clearer result than “make a countdown.”
• Mention preferred size or style if you have one in mind.
• Use connected Google apps for personal data such as calendar events or email details.
• After generation, edit rather than starting over; small follow-up prompts refine the output efficiently.
• Test on both phone and Wear OS if you own a compatible watch—the same information can surface in different form factors.
• Keep software updated so new categories and capabilities appear as they roll out.

Related Gemini Intelligence features

While Create My Widget focuses on the home screen, Gemini Intelligence also includes:

• Multi-step app automation (for example, turning a notes-app grocery list into a delivery order or finding a tour from a photo of a brochure).
• Rambler in Gboard, which cleans natural speech into polished text and handles multilingual input.
• Intelligent autofill that pulls from Personal Intelligence to complete forms.
• Proactive suggestions based on screen context.

Each feature stays opt-in where it involves personal data, and you can manage permissions individually.

Conclusion

Create My Widget turns the Android home screen into a place you design with words rather than code or limited templates. On a Gemini Intelligence-capable Pixel or Galaxy phone, a short prompt is enough to surface the exact information you care about most. Start with one clear use case, refine the result, and expand from there.

As more devices gain support later in the year, including watches, cars, glasses, and Googlebook laptops, the same approach will extend across the Android ecosystem. Check your device eligibility and software updates to try it first.

Sources

• Google blog: Gemini Intelligence announcement (blog.google)
• Android Help: Learn about Gemini Intelligence on your phone (support.google.com)
• Official Android YouTube channel: The Android Show Gemini Intelligence segment