Hot topics

Tips and Tricks: How to create shortcuts for contacts on Android

First
© nextpit.com

I've noticed something over the last little while: when I call one of my contacts, I repeat the same gestures over and over again. The same is true for when I text people in my contact list, more often then not, some contacts multiple times a day. Each time I do so, I have to open up my messaging application, find the contact that I want to send the message to, and then go from there. As with most things Android, I figured there must be a quicker way to do this within the operating system and as I thought, I found a nifty little feature. Here’s a nice little trick that will help simplify your life by allowing you to create shortcuts to a contact on your home page of your Android device. 

waving android background by the3dleopard d4lgj2d
 © NextPit

1. Head into your Applications and click on the Widgets tab (or, depending on your device, head to wherever your widgets are located) 

First
The shortcut option is hidden within the Widget tab / © NextPit.com

2. Click on the Contact Widget or Message Shortcut if you wish to compose a text directly from the shortcut.

3. Put the widget onto the homescreen of your choice.

4. Choose the contact, with which you'd like to associate the widget.

contact shortcut
You'll find that the message shortcut allows access to all of your messaging apps! / © NextPit.com

And tadaa! You can now directly access the contact information that you chose directly from your homescreen. If you select a message shortcut, you can associate this person with whatever messaging application you use to send texts (Whatsapp, Skype, etc). 

A nice, quick and easy trick to help save some time during the day. I know I find myself always repeating the same actions to send a message to the same few people in my contacts multiple times a day, so this will definitely help me out. 

Any other useful shortcuts or time savers that the AndroidPIT family should know about?

The best smartphones under $1,000 

  Editor's recommendation The best iPhone The best camera phone Value for money The best foldable The most affordable
Product
Price
  • $799
  • $799
  • $999
  • $599
  • $999
  • $499
Picture Samsung Galaxy S24 Product Image Apple iPhone 15 Product Image Google Pixel 8 Pro Product Image Nothing Phone (2) Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Google Pixel 7a Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy S24
Review: Apple iPhone 15
Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro
Review: Nothing Phone (2)
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Google Pixel 7a
Offer*
Go to comment (3)
Quentin Ducreux L.

Quentin Ducreux L.
Editor-in-Chief

Quentin is Editor-in-Chief for AndroidPIT.fr. Since his first video game console, a NES, he's been a tech enthusiast. Now that he owns or think he owns all the test devices in the office, he's always trying to find the best apps, the best mods and the last secret about the next Android update.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
3 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 1
    Roger Rabbit Sep 12, 2016 Link to comment

    These options to add a direct dial or direct message only appear in Android 5 or earlier. Any suggestions for doing the same in Android 6 ?


  • 1
    Andy Barker May 13, 2013 Link to comment

    I use a similar solution in touchwhiz on my S3. I have created a folder called Quick Dial on my home screen and in that i group the 1x1 Direct dial widget for all my frequently dialed numbers


  • Dvoraak 14
    Dvoraak May 10, 2013 Link to comment

    Nice tip Quentin.
    Android Pro Widgets has a killer solution too. The APW people widget shows any contacts or group of contacts you want and you can direct dial from the home screen. The APW messaging widget shows your text messages and you can go directly into the message you want straight from your home screen. Tons of great third party themes are available too.

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing