Make Calls Faster: How the Contacts App “Favorites” Feature Saves You Time

 Do you frequently call or message a handful of people — mom, dad, spouse, or close friends — but hate scrolling through hundreds of contacts? Your phone’s Contacts app has a simple solution: the Favorites feature. It puts your most important contacts in one easy-to-reach place so you can call, message, or video-call with a single tap.

What is the Favorites feature?

Favorites creates a dedicated list of your most-used contacts. Instead of searching the full contacts list, you open Favorites and instantly reach the people you contact most.

Benefits of using Favorites

• Instant access: Open the Favorites tab and tap to call or message.
• Don’t miss urgent calls: Allow Favorites to bypass Do Not Disturb so important calls ring through.
• Home-screen widgets: Add Favorites to your home screen for single-tap calling.
• Faster workflows: Ideal for family, work, service numbers, and emergencies.

How to add a contact to Favorites

iPhone (iOS)

1. Open the Phone app and go to Contacts.
2. Tap the contact you want to favorite.
3. Tap Add to Favorites.
4. Choose the action (Call, Message, FaceTime) and the specific number if multiple exist.
5. The contact now appears in the Favorites tab in the Phone app.

Android (Google Contacts / Stock)

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Select the contact you want to favorite.
3. Tap the star (★) icon at the top of the contact screen.
4. The filled star means the contact is added to Favorites and will appear in the Favorites view or widget.

Useful related features

• Widgets: Place a Favorites widget on the home screen for one-tap calling.
• Do Not Disturb (DND) bypass: In Settings → Focus / Do Not Disturb, allow calls from Favorites so specific callers ring even when DND is on.
• Custom ringtones: Assign specific ringtones or vibrations for Favorites to recognize important callers.
• Groups / Labels: Organize Favorites into groups like Family, Work, or Emergency (platform dependent).
• Share a contact: Export or share a favorite contact as a vCard.

How to remove a FavoriteTap the star again (Android) or edit from the Favorites tab (iPhone) and remove the contact.

Privacy & tips

• Sync consent: Be careful when enabling cloud sync (Google / iCloud). Sync only with explicit consent.
• Keep minimal data on cloud: Avoid uploading extra notes or sensitive fields unless necessary.
• Emergency access: Use Medical ID and emergency contacts per OS guidelines — these are separate from Favorites but useful during emergencies.

Final thoughts

The Favorites feature may seem small, but it dramatically speeds up communication and reduces friction in daily phone use. Add your closest contacts to Favorites, set DND exceptions if needed, and place a widget on your home screen. You’ll save time and avoid missing the calls that matter.