message widget - how do I get it back?

well you are probably confusing what a widget is then..

Home Screen widgets are only available on iPhones and only became available in iOS 14

'Widgets' on previous iOS versions was only in Today View which is when you swipe all the way right on your Home Screen. There isn't a Message widget available there either.

iPad is the same story. Only place you can have widgets is in Today View, and a 'Message widget' is not an option.

Are you simply talking about the little green icon with a white conversation bubble in it that you would tap on to view your messages? Did that icon go missing from your Home Screen?

if so.. and if you are running iOS 14, it's possible that you 'removed' the app and it resides in the App Library

From your Home Screen, swipe left until you get to the App Library.

Swipe downward and you'll get an alphabetical list of your apps.

Locate the app in the list or type the app name into the search field

Once you've located the app, tap/hold until it raises/selects, then drag it and it'll pop out to your Home Screen

Organize the Home Screen and App Library on your iPhone - Apple Support

Hello catdander,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

Based on what you mentioned, you need to add a widget to your Home Screen. For help with this, review: Use widgets on your iPhone and iPod touch.

Best wishes!

Hello elencanto,

Thanks for the additional information 

Based on the issue the behavior you're seeing may be expected. If you don't see a widget for the app, it is not likely available. The only place you might see the Messages for iOS icon in a widget would be in the Siri suggestions widget, and that changes frequently (based on usage). However, if you did see a type of Messages widget, it may have come from other apps you have installed, and you'll want to check those apps.

If you still have trouble, you may be able to get help where you are when you Contact Apple for support and service.

Best wishes!

Everyone here is just trying to help you. Calling a response dumb is entirely unhelpful

when did you have a 'messages widget'?

Were you doing beta testing when you had it? If so, you probably should have mentioned this

I have not seen a message widget available in iOS 14 public release.

no problem at all, glad to be of help!