How to add contacts to home screen

Android is, without a doubt, the most flexible mobile platform on the planet. This flexibility extends to nearly every aspect of the platform. Such is the case with contacts. Not only do you have numerous ways in which you can edit, save, and manage your contacts… there are equally as many different ways in which you can access your contacts.

One of the most handy means of getting to a contact is by adding it to your home screen. I’m not talking about the standard direct dial or direct message shortcut (though they are incredibly helpful to have around) — I’m talking adding full-on contact entries to your home screen. With these widgets, you gain access to quick calls, messages, and Google+ profiles, plus you’re able to easily edit the contact information.

Note: This handy feature isn’t available on all Android phones. Both the Verizon-branded Motorola Moto X and Samsung Galaxy S4 offer the feature, whereas the HTC M8 does not. You’ll know very quickly if your device offers the feature (I’ll show you in a moment).

To add the contact widget, follow these steps:

1. Open up the People (or Contacts) app
2. Search for the contact you want to add, and tap to open
3. Tap the menu button *
4. Tap the entry for Add shortcut to home

* The menu button that’s available will also depend on the device. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S3 uses the device menu button, whereas the Moto X offers an in-app button.

Once it’s added, tap the icon on the home screen to open the widget (Figure A).

Figure A

From the widget, you can place a call (by tapping the phone number), send an SMS (by tapping the SMS icon), send an email (by tapping the email button), or open the contact for editing (by tapping the contact name, tapping the menu button, and tapping Edit).

If you’re looking for one of the quickest ways to gain access to frequently used contacts, try adding contact widgets to your home screen. You avoid a mess of direct-dial/direct-message icons and get even more features for your efforts.

How do you interact with your Android contacts? Do you create easy-to-use shortcuts — or do you tend to go the standard, long route to messaging, phoning, and emailing? Share your experience in the discussion thread below.

The ability to add contacts to your Home Screen is not a new one for the iPhone. Before iOS 15, you could add contacts using the Shortcuts App. However, the process was a little lengthy and not very-time efficient.

With the release of iOS 15 came brilliant upgrades to your device, and one of them gives you the option to create a Contact Widget on your Home Screen. It is quick and easy and can be done in a few short steps. Let's take a look at how to add contacts to your iPhone Home Screen.

Add Contacts Using the Contacts Widget

For this method, you will need to make sure your device is upgraded to iOS 15 or later. This software allows you to add contact widgets to your Home Screen for easy access.

Follow these steps to create a widget with your favorite contacts:

1. Tap and hold on any icon or app on the Home Screen until it begins to shake.
2. In the top-left corner of your screen, tap on the plus (+) icon. A popup screen will now appear.
3. In the Widgets search bar, type Contacts. Tap on it when the option shows up on your screen.

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4. You will see another popup screen with a single contact displayed on it. This is used for adding one contact to your Home Screen. If you want to add more, swipe to the right, and you will see options to add four or six contacts to your Home Screen.
5. Tap on Add Widget under the number of contacts you have decided upon. You will see the widget on your Home Screen.
6. Drag and drop to place it wherever you want, then press Done to return your Home Screen to normal.

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Related: How to Add Website Shortcuts to the iPhone Home Screen

Keep All Your Favorite Contacts on Your Home Screen

iOS 15 allowed iPhone users to add contacts to their Home Screen. To do so, all you need to do is search for Contacts Widget in your Widgets Library and press on the Add button.

You can add either one contact or multiple ones to your widget. Having your contacts on your Home Screen makes it a lot easier for you to make regular and emergency calls with just a tap.

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