How to add contacts to your Android home screen

If there are people you call frequently during the week, you can add contacts to your Android home screen for faster access.

You already know how useful it is to have frequently used apps available on your home screen. But have you ever wanted to add contacts to your Android home screen for quick access?

If you use the Google Contacts app, adding contacts to your home screen is just a few taps away. You can also add contacts to the home screen of a Samsung Galaxy phone via a widget.

Just like adding apps to your Android home screen, adding contacts gives you quick access to the people you communicate with most. Here's how to do it on your Android phone.

Add contacts to your Android home screen from Google Contacts

The Google Contacts app comes pre-installed on Google Pixel devices. But if you don't have the app or want to use it on another phone, you can install Google Contacts from the Play Store.

1. Start the Google Contacts app on your phone.
2. Select the contact you want to add to the list. If you have several, you can use the search field at the top to find what you need.
3. Tap three points button in the top right corner of the screen.
4. Select the Add to Home Screen option in the menu that appears.
5. Tap and hold the contact icon to place it where you want it on the home screen, or tap the Add automatically option.
6. If you use the automatic option, a notification will be shown at the bottom of the screen informing you that it has been added.
7. The contact's shortcut will be on your home screen and you can move it to an easily accessible location.
8. Note that you may want to bring the contacts together in the same folder for easier management.
9. Tapping a contact's shortcut will directly open the person's contact page, including the contact's phone number, email, and other details.

Add Contacts to Samsung Galaxy Home Screen

If you have a Galaxy phone and use Samsung's built-in Contacts app, you can create a widget that adds contacts to your home screen.

1. Tap and hold an empty area on the Home screen, then tap Widgets button at the bottom.
2. Scroll through the list and select the Contacts menu option.
3. You can choose one Contact (contact details), Direct link (starts the call immediately), or Direct message (opens SMS to person) widget. In this example, we are choosing Contact for a shortcut to open the contact information page — tap To add.
4. Choose the person or company you want to add to the widget from your Contacts list.
5. Your contact's shortcut will be added to the home screen. Like other Home screen items, you can move it wherever is convenient and easy to access. Or add it to a folder for multiple contact management.

Note that if you don't want the hassle of creating a widget on your Samsung, you can install the Google Contacts app. It lets you place contact shortcuts on your Galaxy home screen, just like on a Pixel.

Easy access to contacts from the Android home screen

Sometimes, it's the little things that make your everyday life easier. One of them is the ability to add contacts to the Android home screen.

It's a useful feature for those you come into contact with frequently throughout the day. This tip eliminates the need to open the contacts app and scroll through it to find the people you need.

Whether you're on a Samsung, Pixel, or another Android phone, you can install the Google Contacts app. The Google app is useful if your manufacturer's proprietary contacts app doesn't let you put them on your home screen.