TickShow what is left
The widget should answer quickly: what is still pending today?
Android widgets
The best widget is the one that removes a step.
For a daily routine, a widget is not decoration. It puts the item where you already look and avoids the chain of opening an app, finding the screen, and remembering what was left.
Updated July 4, 2026
Checklist
What a good widget needs to do.
Allow action
If it only opens the app, some friction remains. Direct action is better.
Update clearly
After you check something off, the state should change without confusion.
Stay readable
Title, time, and action need to fit on the home screen.
Avoid overexposure
For medication, use discreet names if other people can see your screen.
Not become a dashboard
A good widget saves attention. Too many charts can get in the way.
Comparison
Android widgets for each kind of routine.
| App | Widget type | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tick | Widget for seeing and checking off today's items. | Simple meds, supplements, and care on the home screen. | Not a clinical dashboard and no remote caregiver. |
| Loop Habit Tracker | Colorful widgets for habits and visual tracking. | People who want habits, charts, and a free open-source app. | Not specific to medication with dose and dose history. |
| Pillo | Med cabinet and dose-history widgets. | People who want medication, stock, persistent alarms, and more clinical history. | Can be heavier and more insistent than a daily tracker. |
| Habitica | Widgets and reminders inside a gamified routine. | People who want tasks, avatars, rewards, and groups. | Gamification can be tiring if you want calm care. |
| Google Calendar/Tasks | Agenda and task widgets from the Google ecosystem. | Recurring tasks and basic reminders. | Does not check off meds by item or show dose history. |
Use a widget for...
- Items you check off almost every day.
- Meds and supplements at predictable times.
- Short morning or evening routines.
- Reducing the "I will mark it later" delay that becomes forgetting.
Avoid widgets when...
- The item name is sensitive and the screen is visible to other people.
- The treatment requires careful dose confirmation.
- You want a clinical report, not just a check-off.
- Your home screen is already too crowded to help.
In Tick
Basic widget on free. Style on Pro.
The check-off widget is not locked behind payment. Tick Pro removes ads and unlocks polish: themes, colors, widget style, progress, and extra times.
On the home screen
Synced state
Today list
Visual privacy
A medication widget should be discreet.
Even when items stay on the device, the home screen can be visible on a desk, at work, or at home. Use short, discreet names if the item is sensitive.
Simple name
Prefer "Morning" or "Vitamin" when you do not want to expose details.
No overload
Put only what helps you act in that moment on the widget.
Calm screen
Choose a widget that does not feel like a permanent alarm.
FAQ
Quick questions
Which app has a widget for medication?
Tick has a widget for checking off today's items. Pillo also offers medication-related widgets. If the focus is habits, Loop is a strong Android option.
Does a widget replace a notification?
No. The notification gets your attention at the scheduled time; the widget keeps the item visible and reduces the steps to record it.
Is Tick's widget free?
Yes, the basic widget is free. Pro adds themes, colors, styles, and removes ads.
Is a widget safe for medication?
It helps you record, but it does not check dose or interactions. For sensitive items, use discreet names and confirm guidance with a healthcare professional.
Sources consulted: Loop on Google Play, Pillo on Google Play, Habitica on Google Play, Google Calendar Help, and public Tick pages.
Check off without opening the app.
Tick puts today's routine on the home screen so you can confirm an item without opening the app.