Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Microsoft offers a Bing AI chat app through which you can ask questions, submit requests, and carry on conversations via your mobile device. But rather than go through the app, you can quickly and easily use a widget. 

Also: What is Bing Chat? Everything you need to know

Available for iPhones, iPads, and Android phones, the Bing AI widget lets you ask questions, conduct a regular search, or run a private search. You can even choose between different styles and layouts for the widget. Here's how to set it up.

How to set up the Bing AI chat widget on iPhone or iPad

1. Download the Bing AI app

First, download and install the Bing AI app for iOS/iPadOS if you don't already have it. Open the app and tap the Bing icon in the center. 

Also: How to save or copy your Bing Chat responses

That will take you to the actual chatbot where you can ask questions and choose a conversation style to generate responses from the AI. After getting a feel for the app, it's time to set up the widget.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

2. Set up the widget on an iPhone or iPad

To set up the widget on your iPhone or iPad, swipe to the screen on which you want to place the actual widget. You can do this on the widget screen by swiping all the way to the left or on any home screen. Press down on any empty area so that the existing apps or widgets start jiggling. Then, tap the plus icon at the top of the screen.

Also: The best AI chatbots

Swipe down the screen until you see the Bing search widget. Tap the widget and then swipe between the two styles. Both of them present an interface with a prompt and three icons. One displays a plain background, while the other sports a Bing wallpaper image. Move to the layout you prefer and then tapAdd Widget.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

3. Use the widget

To use the widget for a Bing AI chat, tap the Bing icon on the widget. That takes you directly to the chat screen where you can ask a question or start a conversation.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

4. Remove the widget on an iPhone or iPad

To remove the widget on your iOS or iPadOS device, press down on it and selectRemove Widget. Alternatively, selectEdit Home Screen, tap the minus icon at the top left corner of the widget, and then tap Remove.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

How to set up the Bing AI chat widget on Android

To set up the widget on your Android phone, download and install the Bing AI app for Android if you haven't already. Move to the screen on which you wish to put the widget and press down on any empty area. From the popup menu, select Widgets. Tap the entry for Bing on the Widgets screen. 

Also: My 5 favorite AI tools for work 

Here, you can choose among 13 different styles, from simple to complex. To grab the AI option, though, make sure you choose one of the styles that incorporates the AI icon, such as Search & Chat or Wallpaper. Press and hold down your preferred style and then drag and drop it onto the screen.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

To remove the widget on your Android phone, press down on it until you see a Remove icon above it. Drag and drop the widget onto that icon, and it will vanish.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

More on AI tools

How to use ChatGPT to create an appHow to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than DALL-E 2)How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to knowHow to use ChatGPT to write codeHow to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulasHow to use ChatGPT to build your resume

• How to use ChatGPT to create an app
• How to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than DALL-E 2)
• How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to know
• How to use ChatGPT to write code
• How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas
• How to use ChatGPT to build your resume