How to Create a Contact Shortcut on Your Home Screen

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Creating contact shortcuts on your smartphone's home screen can save you time and make it easier to contact your friends and family. Whether you use an Android device or an iPhone, both offer simple steps to add contact shortcuts to the home screen. This guide will walk you through the process in detail for both types of devices and offer tips to make it even more convenient.

Creating a contact shortcut on Android

Android devices have a built-in feature to add contact shortcuts to the home screen. To create a contact shortcut on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Unlock your Android device and go to the Home screen.
2. Find an empty spot on your home screen where you want to place the shortcut.
3. Tap and hold on an empty space until a menu appears. This menu gives you options to add widgets, shortcuts, and change the wallpaper.
4. Select the "Add Widget" option.
5. Scroll through the list of available widgets until you find the "Contacts" widget.
6. Tap and hold the "Contacts" widget, then drag it to an empty spot on your home screen where you want the shortcut to appear.
7. Once you release the widget, you’ll be asked to select a contact for the shortcut.
8. Browse your contacts list and tap the contact you want to add as a shortcut.

You now have a contact shortcut on your home screen. When you tap the shortcut, it will open the contact's details, and you can call or message them immediately.

Using the Dialer App

Most Android devices also let you create a contact shortcut directly from the dialer app. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the dialer app on your Android device.
2. Go to the "Contacts" tab if you aren't already there.
3. Find and tap the contact you want to add to the Home screen.
4. Once the contact's details are open, look for the option to create a shortcut or add it to the home screen. This option is usually represented by three dots, a settings icon, or a menu button.
5. Select "Add to Home Screen" or a similar option.

This method is useful when you already have the contact open in the Dialer app and want to quickly create a shortcut.

Create a contact shortcut on iPhone

Although there is no direct way to add a contact shortcut to the home screen on iPhone like Android, you can do so using the Shortcuts app. Here's how to create a contact shortcut on iPhone:

1. Make sure you have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. If not, you can download it from the App Store.
2. Open the Shortcuts app.
3. Tap the “+” button or the “Create Shortcut” option to create a new shortcut.
4. Tap the "Add action" button.
5. In the search bar, type "contact" and select "Call a contact." You can also select "Send a message to a contact" or any other action you want to perform with the contact.
6. Tap “Select Contact” and select the contact you want to create a shortcut for.
7. After selecting the contact, tap “Next” to proceed.
8. Give your shortcut a name, such as a contact's name, so it's easy to recognize.
9. Tap “Done” to save your shortcut.
10. Now, open the details of the created shortcut by tapping on the three dots on it.
11. Tap the Share icon, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing up.
12. Select "Add to Home Screen" from the Share menu.
13. Customize the look of the shortcut if you want, then tap "Add." This will add the shortcut to your home screen.

There is now a Contacts shortcut on your iPhone's home screen. Tapping this shortcut will perform the selected action, such as calling the contact or sending a message.

Tips for organizing contact shortcuts

Here are some tips to help you organize multiple contact shortcuts on your home screen:

• Create folders: Both Android and iPhone let you create folders on the home screen. You can group several contact shortcuts into one folder for easier access. To create a folder, drag one shortcut onto another. Once the folder is created, you can add more shortcuts to it.
• Customize icons: On iPhone, you can customize the look of your contact shortcuts through the Shortcuts app. Choose unique icons and colors to make each shortcut easily recognizable.
• Use widgets: Android devices support various widgets that display contact information. These widgets can provide quick access and also show additional details such as recent communication history.
• Organize by frequency: Place the most frequently used contact shortcuts in prominent locations on your home screen for quick access.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you encounter any problems while creating a contact shortcut, try the following solutions:

• Widget is not available: If you don't see the "Contacts" widget on your Android device, make sure your phone's software is up to date. Go to the Settings menu and check for software updates.
• Shortcut not working: If the contact shortcut doesn't work as expected, try deleting and adding it again. Make sure the action set in the Shortcuts app on iPhone is correct, such as verifying a phone number or email address.
• Home screen full: If your home screen is full, free up space by removing unnecessary app icons or widgets. You can also create folders to organize shortcuts and apps, which will free up more space.

Advanced options using third-party apps

If you want more functionality or customization for your contact shortcut, you can explore third-party apps available in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These apps often offer additional features like customized icons, quick action buttons, and more. Here are some popular options:

• For Android:
  • QuickShortcutMaker: This app allows you to create shortcuts not only for contacts but also for apps, settings, and various actions on your device.
  • Direct dial/message widgets: Some widget apps provide special widgets for direct dialing or sending messages to contacts, with many customization options.
• For iPhone:
  • Launch Center Pro: This app offers advanced shortcut creation options, allowing you to create launch actions for contacts, apps, and various tasks.
  • Widgetsmith: Although this app isn't specifically for contacts, it does offer customized widgets that can enhance the appearance and functionality of your home screen.

Using third-party apps can give you more control over how you manage your shortcuts, though it's important to read user reviews and check app permissions to make sure your data is safe.

Conclusion

Creating contact shortcuts on your home screen is a convenient way to stay connected with the important people in your life. Whether you use an Android device or an iPhone, the process is straightforward and can save you a lot of time. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily add contact shortcuts and organize them to suit your needs. Remember, you can always customize and improve your home screen even further with additional tips or third-party apps. Enjoy the ease and efficiency of having your contacts just a tap away!

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