Widget and theme apps make a lot of money. ThemePack makes $1.4M–5.6M a month by our estimate and Widgetsmith $1.15M–4.59M (not Apple data, October 16, 2026). But every app whose sales are confirmed by the grossing charts launched in 2020 to 2022, right after iOS 14 brought widgets. A newcomer needs a theme of its own that the leaders don't have.
How much widget and theme apps make
The money is large and shared by many. 7 apps in the table have a low end above $100K a month, and their App Store sales are confirmed.
| App | Released | US ratings | Top grossing rank | Monthly revenue, our estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThemePack | Apr 12, 2022 | 482,235 | #25 | $1.4M–5.6M |
| Widgetsmith | Sep 16, 2020 | 775,771 | outside top 100 | $1.15M–4.59M |
| Color Widgets | Sep 17, 2020 | 526,561 | outside top 100 | $540K–2.16M |
| iScreen | Nov 25, 2020 | 152,719 | #44 | $711K–2.84M |
| Themify | Oct 2, 2020 | 344,585 | #15 | $470K–1.88M |
| Mico | Sep 15, 2022 | 100,565 | #78 | $563K–2.25M |
| ThemeKit | Apr 22, 2022 | 25,441 | #28 | $267K–1.07M |
| ThemeMate (launched 2025) | Oct 10, 2025 | 22,726 | outside top 100 | $840K–3.36M App Store sales not confirmed by the charts |
Appto data as of October 16, 2026. Rating growth September 16 to October 16, 2026. Rating counts and chart positions from the US App Store on October 16, 2026. Revenue is our estimate, not Apple data.
On October 16, 2026 Themify was number 15 in the US top grossing Graphics & Design chart, ThemePack number 25, ThemeKit number 28 and iScreen number 44. Large graphics editors share that chart, so even 25th place means real money.
The leaders arrived in 2020 to 2022
Home Screen widgets came with iOS 14, released on September 16, 2020. Widgetsmith and Photo Widget launched the same day, Color Widgets the next day and Themify two weeks later. Today Widgetsmith has 775,771 ratings and Color Widgets 526,561 ratings.
Many theme apps entered after 2022. ThemeMate launched on October 10, 2025 and has 22,726 ratings, ThemeArt launched on May 28, 2026 and has 4,057 ratings. By rating growth ThemeMate's range is $840K–3.36M a month, yet it has not appeared in the top 100 grossing Graphics & Design apps once since September 24. Its App Store sales are not confirmed, so don't lean on its rating count as evidence.
What WidgetKit can do, and what an app can't
Widgets are written in SwiftUI with WidgetKit. A widget shows states prepared in advance on a schedule, it runs no live code. According to Apple's documentation a frequently viewed widget gets 40 to 70 refreshes a day, roughly every 15 to 60 minutes (WidgetKit, October 16, 2026). A live score or price ticker can't be done in a widget. Time and timers are drawn by the system itself through special text styles.
Two limits matter before you start. The app can't set the wallpaper itself, the person saves the image to Photos and picks it in Settings. Other apps' icons can't be changed directly either, they are replaced with shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, one per icon. Show that path in the app step by step.
What goes into version 1
- A few complete themes of your own. Wallpaper, a widget set and icons in one palette, drawn by you or licensed for commercial use.
- Three or four widget types. Clock with date, calendar, photo, quote. Each in small and medium sizes and in the theme's colors.
- A Home Screen preview. People see the whole screen before installing.
- Wallpaper saving and an icon guide. Wallpaper to Photos with one button, icons step by step through Shortcuts.
Version 1 needs no server, the themes can ship with the build.
How the niche charges
Every app in the table is free to download (US App Store, October 16, 2026) and charges inside the app. A workable plan for a newcomer is a couple of themes and basic widgets for free, and all themes and new sets for a subscription or one purchase. A subscription is easier to sell when new themes come out regularly.
Risks
- Image rights. Logos, characters and other companies' icons can't go into themes. Draw every image yourself or license it.
- Look-alike apps. Even in our sample the leaders have at least 152,719 ratings, and there are hundreds of theme apps on the App Store. The difference must show on the first screenshot.
- Icon friction. Replacing icons through Shortcuts takes time and some people give up halfway. A clear guide protects your ratings.
How we counted
Appto estimates revenue from 30 days of App Store rating growth, before Apple's commission. It is our estimate, not Apple data. In half of the cases the estimate is within 2x of the real figure, in four out of five within 3x, and for large apps it tends to run low. Ads, web sales and Google Play are not included. The method is explained in our article on estimating app revenue.
Next steps
This is niche 45 in the book 50 iPhone App Niches, with an angle for a newcomer, five version 1 screens and a task for the agent.
You can check your own theme idea in Appto. Appto pulls fresh App Store data on the niche, designs the screens and widgets with the agent, writes the code and prepares the App Store page with screenshots. The app goes to Apple from your account, or Appto shows you what to press in App Store Connect.
Questions
How much do widget apps make?
By our estimate as of October 16, 2026, ThemePack makes $1.4M–5.6M a month, Widgetsmith $1.15M–4.59M and Themify $470K–1.88M. It is an estimate from App Store rating growth, not Apple data.
Can an app set the wallpaper by itself?
No. The person saves the image to Photos and picks it in the wallpaper settings. The app can only prepare the file and show the steps.
How often does a widget refresh?
According to Apple's documentation a frequently viewed widget gets 40 to 70 refreshes a day, roughly every 15 to 60 minutes.
How do people change app icons?
With shortcuts in the Shortcuts app. Each icon gets its own shortcut with an image from the theme.
Is there room for a newcomer?
Yes, with a caveat. Every app with chart-confirmed sales arrived in 2020 to 2022. A newcomer needs a theme or format the leaders lack.
Build your own app in Appto
Appto checks the niche on fresh App Store data, designs the screens, writes the code, builds the App Store page and submits to Apple from your account or shows you what to press in App Store Connect. Runs on your own Claude Code or Codex.
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