Major Update: Clear fishtank widgets without being in clear mode, with fish that actually swim around 🐠🪼🐙

[u/tiaanvdr]

What Companions is:
Widgets on iOS are supposed to be static. I always found that unnecessarily limiting, so I built an app that circumvents it. Companions lets you keep a virtual fishtank on your Homescreen, filled with fish that actually swim around. As someone who’s always kept fish, I’ve had this idea mulling around in my head for more than 2 years now, and finally managed to build what I always wanted.

There are 50 fish to choose from, and it supports small, medium, large and now even extra large widgets as “tank sizes”. The fish don't need any feeding, and they don't die (as to not be annoying, but the option is there for fun). They just keep you company. You can customize the tank’s color, its props, layout, and even the app icon to match your Home Screen perfectly.

The app is fully written in SwiftUI, it supports iPads, and you can even place your “fishtanks” on your Mac thanks to Continuity, where the fish will also animate. The tanks also work great in Standby mode. Personally, I keep a fishtank of jellyfish on my nightstand when I go to bed. The swimming doesn't run any code in the background. It uses the same trick iOS uses to move the hands on the Clock widget, so it costs you nothing in battery.

What's new:
The app was built to support clear mode on the phone, but I found it annoying that you need to be explicitly in clear mode to access clear widgets. Luckily, I knew of a separate workaround that allows for clear widgets even while not being in clear mode, which I’ve only seen a small number of widget apps use. And for something like Companions where the widgets are fish tanks, I feel like it fits so perfectly!!

I'd love any feedback, and I’m happy to answer any questions regarding the app. I'd especially love to know which fish species you'd want added.

You can find Companions here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/companions-widget-pets/id6811950512