The iPhone is known for its sleek design, crisp touch screen, and lightning-fast performance. But one thing that is often overlooked is the ability to customize its home screen. While the App Store has millions of apps to choose from, it’s also possible to add shortcuts to websites, contacts, and even apps on your home screen. In this blog post, we’ll focus on how to add a phone icon to your iPhone home screen, which is particularly useful for those who make frequent calls or like to access their phone quickly.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Add Phone Icon to iPhone Home Screen
Adding a phone icon to your iPhone home screen offers a host of benefits. For starters, you can access your phone with just one tap instead of having to navigate through several screens. This can save you time when you need to make a call urgently. Additionally, adding a phone icon to your home screen can help declutter your iPhone by reducing the number of apps on it. Finally, if you have several contacts that you call frequently, adding their phone numbers to your home screen can make it easier to call them quickly.
Method 1: Via Safari
One way to add a phone icon to your iPhone home screen is via Safari. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Safari on your iPhone.
2. Go to the website or webpage that you want to create a shortcut to.
3. Tap the share button (the box with an arrow pointing upward) at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll down until you see the "Add to Home Screen" option and tap it.
5. You can change the name of the shortcut if you’d like or leave it as is.
6. Tap the "Add" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Pros:
– Can add a phone icon for any website or webpage
– Only takes a few taps to complete
Cons:
– Shortcut may not look like a traditional phone icon
Method 2: Via Contacts
Another way to add a phone icon to your iPhone home screen is via your contacts list. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Find the contact that you want to create a shortcut for.
3. Tap on their name to open their contact card.
4. Tap on the share button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
5. Scroll down until you see the "Add to Home Screen" option and tap it.
6. You can change the name of the shortcut if you’d like or leave it as is.
7. Tap the "Add" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Pros:
– Can add a phone icon for any contact in your contacts list
– Shortcut will look like a traditional phone icon
Cons:
– Only works for contacts, not websites or apps
Method 3: Via App Library
If you have an iPhone running iOS 14 or later, you can also add a phone icon to your home screen using the App Library feature. Here’s how to do it:
1. Swipe left on your home screen until you get to the App Library.
2. Tap on the search bar at the top of the screen.
3. Type in the name of the contact or website that you want to create a shortcut for.
4. Tap and hold on the icon that appears and select "Add to Home Screen."
5. You can change the name of the shortcut if you’d like or leave it as is.
6. Tap the "Add" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Pros:
– Can add a phone icon for any contact or website
– Shortcut will look like a traditional phone icon
Cons:
– Only works for iPhone models running iOS 14 or later
What to Do If You Can’t Add Phone Icon to iPhone Home Screen
If you’re having trouble adding a phone icon to your iPhone home screen, don’t worry. Here are a few things you can try:
– Restart your iPhone and try again.
– Make sure you’re running the latest version of iOS.
– Check your iPhone’s storage space and make sure it’s not too full.
– Double-check that you’ve followed all the steps correctly.
Bonus Tip
If you want to customize your phone icon even further, you can use the Shortcuts app to create a custom icon. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the "+" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App."
4. Select the "Open App" action and choose the Phone app.
5. Tap the ellipsis button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
6. Tap "Add to Home Screen."
7. Tap the icon next to "Home Screen Name and Icon."
8. Choose "Choose Photo" and select the image you want as your phone icon.
9. Name your shortcut and tap "Add."
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I add multiple phone icons to my iPhone home screen?
A: Yes, you can add as many phone icons as you’d like by following the steps outlined in Methods 1-3.
Q2: Can I remove the phone icon from my iPhone home screen?
A: Yes, you can remove the phone icon just like any other app on your home screen. Simply press and hold the icon until it starts to jiggle, then tap the "x" in the upper left-hand corner of the icon.
Q3: Will adding a phone icon to my home screen slow down my iPhone?
A: No, adding a phone icon to your home screen shouldn’t have any noticeable effect on your iPhone’s performance.
Q4: Can I add phone icons for FaceTime or other apps?
A: Yes, you can add phone icons for any app you’d like by following the same steps outlined in Methods 1-3.
Q5: What should I do if the phone icon I added isn’t working?
A: Make sure you have a stable internet connection and that the contact or website you’re trying to access is available. You can also try restarting your iPhone and checking for any software updates.
Final Thoughts
Adding a phone icon to your iPhone home screen is a useful way to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. With the ability to add shortcuts for contacts, websites, and even apps, you can customize your home screen to fit your needs. Whether you prefer Safari, Contacts, or the App Library, there are multiple ways to add a phone icon to your iPhone home screen, making it easier than ever to make calls and stay in touch.