Quick answer
A portrait widget uses a tall slot to show one image without changing the wallpaper. Choose a vertical photo with room around its subject so the launcher crop does not cut off important details.
Start with a portrait, not a landscape
A tall home-screen slot works best with an image composed vertically. Choose a photo with breathing room above the head or around the subject. If the face touches the edge in the original, a widget crop is likely to make the problem worse.
Crop the image for the exact widget shape before decorating it. Keep eyes and important details away from corners where a rounded mask could hide them. Use a single focal point rather than a busy collage when the widget is small.
Try it on your home screen
- Select a portrait with extra background near the top and sides.
- Place a tall widget on an uncluttered home-screen page before finalizing the crop.
- If adding a caption, put it in empty image space or on a subtle background surface.
- Resize or move the installed widget and recheck the image framing.
Layer text only where it helps
A date or short caption can personalize the photo, but it should not cover the face. Look for a quieter part of the photo for the label. If every area is busy, put the text on a separate opaque strip instead of forcing white text directly onto a bright sky or shirt.
Treat private photos carefully. WidgetCraft stores authored photos and designs locally rather than uploading them to a developer backend. That does not make your home screen private from someone looking at the phone; avoid sensitive images in a widget shown on an unlocked device.
Check the launcher crop
Preview the portrait inside the intended home-screen dimensions. Then apply it and confirm the top, bottom and corners survive the launcher frame. Some launchers add margins or crop differently. Keep an unedited original in your photo gallery so you can change the layout without losing the source.
If you want a simple text-based alternative, see quote widget design. Both designs benefit from fewer layers, not more.
Check the result
The gallery preview, editor canvas and launcher crop can differ. Keep the original photograph so you can start over without losing resolution. When photo access is requested, look for a permission option that lets you select only the pictures needed.
Common question: Should I write text over the person's face?
Usually not. Keep a face clear and place the words in negative space, or choose a separate text widget if the image has no quiet area.