Want to message your bestie, family, or frequently contacted colleagues on WhatsApp with lightning speed? Creating a shortcut to their contact on your phone’s home screen is the perfect solution. No more scrolling through your contact list! This simple trick saves you precious seconds and gets you chatting faster. Here’s how to do it on both Android and iPhone:

Android:

Android offers a couple of ways to create these shortcuts, and the exact steps might vary slightly depending on your phone’s manufacturer and Android version. Here are the most common methods:

Method 1: Using the WhatsApp Widget (Often the easiest!)

1. Long-press on an empty space on your home screen. This should bring up options to customise your home screen.
2. Select “Widgets.” You might need to scroll through a list of available widgets.
3. Find the WhatsApp widget. There might be a few different sizes. Look for one that specifically mentions contact shortcuts or allows you to choose a contact.
4. Drag the widget to your home screen.
5. WhatsApp should then prompt you to select the contact you want to create a shortcut for. Choose the person, and voila! Their contact icon will appear on your home screen.

Method 2: Through the WhatsApp Chat (Sometimes available)

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the contact you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Tap the three dots (More options) in the top right corner of the chat screen.
3. Look for an option like “Add to Home screen” or “Create shortcut.” If you see it, tap it, and the shortcut will be created.

iPhone (iOS):

Unfortunately, iPhones don’t have a direct way to create contact shortcuts for WhatsApp in the same way Android does. However, there’s a workaround using the Shortcuts app:

1. Open the “Shortcuts” app (it’s pre-installed on your iPhone).
2. Tap the “+” button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap “Add Action.”
4. Search for “WhatsApp” and select the “Send Message via WhatsApp” action.
5. Tap “Recipient” and choose the contact you want to create the shortcut for. You can also customise the message that automatically appears when you tap the shortcut (this is optional).
6. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut editor.
7. Give your shortcut a name (e.g., the contact’s name).
8. Tap “Add to Home Screen.” You’ll be able to customise the icon that appears on your home screen.
9. Tap “Add” in the top right corner.

While the iPhone method involves a few more steps, it’s still a handy way to quickly access your favorite WhatsApp contacts.

Tips and Tricks:

• Customise your shortcuts: On Android, you might be able to resize the widget or change the icon. On iPhone, you can choose a custom icon when adding the shortcut to your home screen.
• Organise your home screen: Create a dedicated folder for your frequently contacted WhatsApp shortcuts for even quicker access.
• Keep it updated: If you change a contact’s profile picture on WhatsApp, the shortcut icon might not update automatically. You might need to recreate the shortcut.

Creating WhatsApp contact shortcuts is a small change that can make a big difference in your daily messaging. Give it a try and enjoy the convenience of instant access to your key conversations!