How to see your numbers on your iPhone and stay updated

Short answer: put the numbers in an iPhone widget. Send each number (revenue, signups, server status, a crypto price, a sales count, a habit streak) to WidgetDash with one HTTP request, then add the WidgetDash widget to your Home Screen or Lock Screen. You see the latest value every time you unlock your phone, with no dashboard to open. It is free for up to 5 numbers.

The 3-step version

  1. Create a free account at widgetdash.app and copy your write key.
  2. Send your number from wherever it lives: a terminal, a cron job, your backend, Zapier, Make, n8n, a GitHub Action or an AI agent.
    curl -X PUT https://api.widgetdash.app/api/v1/data/revenue \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_WRITE_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"display_name": "Revenue", "icon": "dollarsign.circle.fill",
           "metrics": [{"label": "Today", "value": "$1,284", "color": "green"}]}'
  3. Install the WidgetDash iOS app, scan the QR code from your dashboard, then long-press the Home Screen, tap +, search WidgetDash and add the widget. Lock Screen widgets work the same way.

Push again whenever the number changes and the widget updates. Want it truly real-time? On Pro you can go live with a Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Which approach should you use?

There are a few ways to keep numbers in view on an iPhone. The right one depends on where the number lives and whether you want to glance at it or be alerted by it.

You want to…Best fitWhy
See any number from any service, always visibleWidgetDashPush once from anywhere, native Home Screen, Lock Screen and Live Activity widgets, keys and credentials stay on your server.
Watch one service that already has an iOS app with widgetsThat service's own appIf the vendor already ships a widget for the exact number you need, use it.
Be pinged only when something crosses a thresholdPush notifications (ntfy, Pushover)Great for alerts; they do not keep a number permanently in view.
Hand-code a fully custom widget layout in JavaScriptScriptableMaximum flexibility if you are happy writing and maintaining scripts on the phone.
Track smart-home sensor statesHome Assistant appBuilt for home automation entities.

See the full WidgetDash vs alternatives comparison.

Why a widget beats a dashboard for "staying updated"

Popular numbers people put on their iPhone

Browse all use cases

No code? No problem

Built-in sources (Bitcoin and Ethereum price, crypto market cap, the fear & greed index, currency exchange rates and more) can be added from the dashboard in one tap. For your own numbers, any no-code tool with an HTTP request step (Zapier Webhooks, Make HTTP, n8n HTTP Request, Apple Shortcuts "Get contents of URL") can send the same request shown above.

FAQ

How often does the widget update?

iOS refreshes widgets on its own schedule. WidgetDash refreshes every 15 minutes on the free plan and every 5 minutes on Pro. Live Activities (Pro) update in real time on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Is it free?

Yes, free forever for up to 5 data sources. Pro is $4.90 per month or $29.90 per year for unlimited sources, faster refresh and Live Activities.

Does it work with Android?

No. WidgetDash is built for iPhone (iOS 17.6 or later), using native WidgetKit and Live Activities.

Can an AI agent or script update my widget?

Yes. Anything that can make an HTTP request can push a number. A machine-readable summary of the API lives at widgetdash.app/llms.txt.

What happens to my data?

Only the values you push are stored, so the widget can show them. WidgetDash does not connect to your accounts or read anything you did not send. See the privacy policy.

Your numbers, on your iPhone, in about two minutes.

Get started free

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