Monitor Your Network from Your Home Screen

Published March 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Opening an app every time you want to check your network is one step too many. With PingKit's home screen widgets, your most important network information is always visible — no tapping required. And with Siri Shortcuts, you can run diagnostics with your voice.

The Three PingKit Widgets

PingKit 1.1 includes three home screen widgets, each designed for a different use case.

Speed Test Widget

Shows your most recent speed test results at a glance: download speed, upload speed, and ping. The widget updates after each speed test you run in the app, so you always have your latest numbers visible.

This is particularly useful if you're monitoring a new ISP connection, testing different router positions, or just want to keep an eye on whether you're getting the speeds you're paying for.

Connection Status Widget

Displays your current connection type (WiFi or cellular), network name, and IP address. A quick glance tells you whether you're on your home WiFi, a public network, or cellular data.

Handy for anyone who moves between networks frequently — remote workers, travelers, or anyone who wants to verify they're on the right network before running sensitive operations.

Quick Actions Widget

One-tap access to your most-used network tools. Tap a button on the widget and it opens PingKit directly to that tool — no navigating through menus. Perfect for tools you use regularly like speed test or ping.

How to Add PingKit Widgets

1. Long-press on your home screen until the icons start wiggling
2. Tap the + button in the top-left corner (or tap "Edit" then "Add Widget")
3. Search for "PingKit" in the widget gallery
4. Choose the widget you want and select a size
5. Tap "Add Widget" and position it on your home screen
6. Tap "Done" to save

Siri Shortcuts

PingKit 1.1 also adds Siri Shortcuts integration, letting you trigger network tools with your voice or automate them in the Shortcuts app.

Available shortcuts:

• "Hey Siri, ping Google" — Run a ping test to any host
• "Hey Siri, run a speed test" — Start a speed test immediately
• "Hey Siri, look up DNS for example.com" — Quick DNS lookup
• "Hey Siri, scan ports on 192.168.1.1" — Run a port scan

You can find PingKit's shortcuts in the Shortcuts app by searching for "PingKit" or by browsing the app's suggestions.

Automation Ideas

The real power of Siri Shortcuts comes from automation. Here are some practical examples:

• Morning network check — Create a shortcut that runs a speed test when you arrive at work, so you always know what your connection looks like before your first video call.
• Network switch alert — Combine with the Shortcuts automation triggers to run a ping test whenever you connect to a new WiFi network.
• Quick diagnostics — Build a shortcut that pings your most important servers in sequence — your VPN, your office, a cloud service — for a fast status check.

Widgets + Shortcuts Together

The combination of widgets and shortcuts creates a powerful monitoring setup. Your home screen shows current status (widgets), and you can drill deeper with a voice command or a tap (shortcuts). No need to navigate through the app for routine checks.

For IT professionals and network administrators, this means you can monitor your infrastructure from your phone's home screen and run diagnostics hands-free. For everyone else, it means knowing your network status is always just a glance away.