During the winter season it is important to be able to follow weather updates to better plan your days. You cannot risk a storm messing up that picnic you have planned with your friends tomorrow! Ensuring that you can access a weather app on your phone is therefore very important. Did you know that Google has its own weather app for Android phones?
Wait…Google has a weather app?
Yes! Indeed. Just like you, many people seem to be surprised by this find. Google does have its own weather app, but it is hidden inside the main Google app. Well, whether it is actually an app or more of a shortcut to the Google weather page is a debate for another day.
At the moment, Google does not list its Weather app on the Play Store. Therefore, it is not something that can just be downloaded or accessed in the usual way, like other apps are. However this can still be downloaded and made accessible on an Android phone home screen. This blog aims to show you exactly how this can be done.
Adding the Google weather app on your android phone
Did you know that Google’s Weather app is hidden inside the Google app on your Android phone? Well if you didn’t, do not worry, we are going to show you how to access it. With only a few taps on your Android phone’s Google app, you can add the weather app as part of your home screen.
- Step 1: Start by launching the Google app on your Android phone. If you do not have this app installed on your phone yet, start off by downloading and installing it from the Play Store.
- Step 2: Once you open the app’s main screen, tap on the search box at the top, just underneath the Google logo. Here type the word “weather”.
- Step 3: Once the search results come up, you’ll see the Google Weather results at the top. Select this option.
- Step 4: At the top right corner of the Google Weather results, you will see a three-dot, expandable menu. Tap on the three dots.
- Step 5: Once you tap on the three dots, a menu will open. Here you need to select “Add to Home Screen”.
- Step 6: This will then show you a pop-up screen titled “Add to Home Screen”. This includes a little sun icon which is the app we have been trying to get to all along. Here, you need to tap on the icon and drag it to your selected position on the home screen. This will become the spot where you will find your Weather app from now on. Alternatively, you can also tap the word “Add” which will automatically place the Weather app on the last home screen on your Android phone.
Congratulations! The Google Weather app is now installed
By following these basic steps, the Google Weather app has now become more easily accessible on your Android phone. You will find the app either on the home screen you selected, or else on the last home screen. Once you tap on it, the app will open and it will allow you to see the latest weather information.
What if I no longer want the app on my home screen?
Should you ever decide that you no longer want the Weather app by Google on your home screen, you can simply remove it. This can be done by tapping and holding the app icon, and then selecting “Remove” from the pop up menu.
Once this is done, the Weather app will disappear from your home screen. However you can still access it through the Google app on your phone. Should you decide to eventually want to add it back, this is also possible. You simply need to follow the steps above once again.
Google’s weather app comes with some exclusive widgets
An interesting part of the weather app created by Google is that it has some widget options for its users. The downside is that these are only accessible for Pixel phones.
What’s your verdict?
Making sure that the weather app is accessible on your Android phone is simple. However, there are other options that are available and that can give you the same, if not better weather data. In fact iPhone has its own built-in weather app, while Samsung also has its own weather app on its Galaxy devices. These, particularly the iPhone weather app, tend to provide a bit more detailed weather information when compared to Google.
Whichever app you choose, we hope it serves as the ideal tool and the perfect companion for you to keep track of the weather!
