How to set the height of a Today Widget Extension?

Question

How can i change the height of my App's Today Extension in the Notification Center?

I tried it with the Interface Builder and with Code, the Interface Builder Displays the View with height 600, but it's not applying this height on the device.

It seems I can't get it bigger than some 80 pixels...

Answer 1

In your widget UIViewController.m (Objective-C):

self.preferredContentSize = CGSizeMake(0, 200); 

Will make your widget have a height of 200.

Note that the width will have no affect on the view, as widgets must fit in the exact width of notification center, which is handled automagically.

Also, if you want to animate changes in the height of your view, you can implement (Objective-C):

- (void)viewWillTransitionToSize:(CGSize)size        withTransitionCoordinator:(id<UIViewControllerTransitionCoordinator>)coordinator 

in your view controller using -animateAlongsideTransition:completion:

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Another way is to use auto-layout constraints to constrain your view's height.

Answer 2

Widgets have their heights adjusted by the system. If you have defined your height using constraints this will be automatically adjusted as required. If you're using explicit layout you can request a new height by modifying the preferredContentSize of your widget.

Note that you have no guarantee notification center will respect your height request: it may be adjusted automatically, it may be adjusted but not to the exact height you want, or it may not be honored at all.

The best way to develop a widget is to use auto-layout constraints to set your height values, that way your widget will adapt to different heights with ease.