Your data & access

Why a design can show examples instead of your values#

A step count needs records from Apple Health. An event list needs your calendars, and a weather forecast needs your location. These are the design’s data sources—the places its information comes from.

The editor can use Sample data: made-up readings and events that let you try a design before your own information is available. Turning it off asks the preview to use your actual sources instead. Access is the permission the app needs to read those sources.

For example, an empty heart-rate list may mean there are no recordings in the chosen period, not that your heart rate is zero. Work through the checks below to tell examples, missing access, and missing records apart.

Switch off sample values#

With nothing selected in the editor, tap Sample data to turn it off. You can also change it in More → Sample data.

Gallery previews use example values to show the design. The examples are not a reading from your device.

Check Connections#

Open Library → Connections. Each source shows its status. Tap Allow when offered and follow the system prompt. If the app offers Settings, use it to review access.

A saved widget’s detail page also shows Data this widget uses. These controls help you check the sources that design needs.

Check Health values#

A Health value needs a recorded reading for its selected period. Check the source data as well as access. A source can have no reading even when the app’s connection says Ready.

iOS does not tell the app exactly which Health types it may read. Review the Health data shared with the app if a specific reading is missing.

Check weather and location#

Weather uses location access. Follow the app’s access controls. If a calendar’s weather controls report a failed forecast and offer Try again, tap it to retry. An unavailable forecast is different from zero.

If a value is unavailable#

1. 1

   Check Sample data

   Turn it off if you want your own readings.

2. 2

   Check access

   Review the source under Connections or the access controls in the tool.

3. 3

   Check the range and filters

   Try a period with recorded data. For calendars and lists, check the selected calendars, reminder lists, or measurement.

4. 4

   Check the source

   Make sure the event, reading, or reminder exists in its source app.

Refresh a saved preview#

Open the saved widget in Library and tap the circular arrow at the top to redraw the preview. Its accessibility label is Render. The app also refreshes installed designs when they are saved and when it returns to the foreground.