Do you want the “Phone” application to always be at hand, but don’t know how to add its icon to the main screen of your smartphone? This task seems simple, but the process may differ on different versions Android and shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). In some cases, the shortcut disappears after a system update, and in others, it is not in the list of applications at all.

In this article we will examine 5 proven methods adding a phone icon to the desktop, including standard methods, using widgets and third-party utilities. You will learn how to get a shortcut back if it has disappeared, and what to do if the system does not allow you to create it in the usual way. The instructions are suitable for devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Realme and other brands based on Android 10–14.

We will pay special attention to the nuances: why the shortcut may not appear in the application menu, how to bypass manufacturer restrictions and what to do if the phone icon disappears after resetting the settings. You will also find a table of method compatibility with popular shells and answers to frequently asked questions.

📊 Which Android shell are you using?
Stock Android (pure Android)
MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi)
One UI (Samsung)
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme)
EMUI/Magic UI (Huawei/Honor)
Other

1. Standard method: adding a shortcut through the app menu

The most obvious method is to move the phone icon to the desktop directly from the application menu. It works on most devices, but there are nuances depending on the version Android and the shell.

Here's how to do it:

  • 📱 Open menu of all applications (usually by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or clicking on the "All apps" icon).
  • 🔍 Find the application Phone (may be called Calls, Phone or Dialer).
  • 🖱️ Click on the icon and hold it for 1-2 seconds until a menu appears or the screens begin to “shudder.”
  • 🏠 Drag the icon to an empty space on the desktop and release your finger.

If you Samsung with a shell One UI, after a long press, a context menu may appear - select Add to home screen. On Xiaomi (MIUI), sometimes you need to first press Edit in the upper right corner of the application menu.

The phone icon is visible in the application menu|

There is free space on the desktop|

Shell restrictions are disabled (if any)|

There are no problems with the sensor-->

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI), the phone shortcut is hidden by default. If you don't find it in the applications menu, go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications and check if it is disabled.

2. Using the “Contacts” or “Phone” widget

If the standard method did not work, try adding widget —it will not only create a shortcut, but can also display quick contacts or call history. Widgets are especially useful on shells where icon management is limited (for example, on some versions ColorOS).

Instructions:

  • 🖼️ Press and hold an empty space on the desktop, then select Widgets (or Widgets).
  • 🔎 Scroll down the list and find widgets with names:
    • Phone (usually 1×1 or 2×1)
    • Contact (may include quick access to calls)
    • Direct Dial (direct dialing for a specific contact)
  • 📲 Drag the selected widget onto the screen and configure it (for example, specify a contact for speed dialing).

On Samsung widget Direct dialing (Direct Dial) allows you to create an icon for calling a specific person - this is convenient if you often call the same subscriber. Xiaomi widget Phone can display recent calls directly on the desktop.

Shell Widget name Size Functions
One UI (Samsung) Direct dialing 1×1 Quick call to selected contact
MIUI (Xiaomi) Phone 2×1 or 4×1 Recent calls, speed dial
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme) Contact 4×1 Favorite contacts + phone button
Stock Android Phone 1×1 Application shortcut + quick actions
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If the phone widget is not in the list, try updating the Contacts and Phone applications via Google Play. Sometimes manufacturers add new widgets only in the latest software versions.

3. Creating a shortcut through the Phone application settings

On some devices (especially with EMUI or Magic UI) the phone shortcut is hidden, but it can be returned through the settings of the application itself. This method works even if the icon is not displayed in the application menu.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open Settings phone.
  2. Go to section Applications → Manage applications (on Huawei this could be Applications and notifications).
  3. Find Phone or Calls in the list and open its settings.
  4. Check if the option is enabled Show on main screen or Display shortcut (on EMUI this can be in the section Advanced).
  5. If there is no option, click Storage → Clear cache and reboot the device.

On Samsung c One UI the path may look like like this: Settings → Home screen → Application icons → Show all applications. If the checkbox next to “Phone” is unchecked, check it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, on older versions Flyme from Meizu) the phone shortcut may be blocked by the manufacturer's policies. In this case, only resetting the settings or using third-party launchers will help.

4. Using third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If standard methods do not work, installing alternative launcher will solve the problem. Popular launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher give full control over icons, including the ability to add hidden system applications.

How to do it:

  • 📥 Install the launcher from Google Play (we recommend Nova Launcher as the most flexible).
  • 🔧 Launch the launcher and select it as launcher by default (the system will prompt you to do this upon first launch).
  • 📱 Open the applications menu in the new launcher (usually by swiping up).
  • 🔍 Find Phone (in Nova Launcher you can enable the display of hidden applications in settings).
  • 🖱️ Long press on the icon → Add to home screen.

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ It works even if the manufacturer has hidden the shortcut.
  • ✅ You can change the phone icon to a custom one.
  • ✅ Flexible desktop customization (icon size, gestures, etc.).
How to return the standard launcher after installing Nova?

To return to the native launcher, go to Settings → Applications. → Default launcher and select the standard option (for example, One UI Home for Samsung or Launcher3 for Stock Android). After this, Nova Launcher will remain installed, but will not be active. It can be removed or left for future use.

5. Creating a shortcut via “Shortcuts”

There is a built-in function Android 7.1+ there is a built-in function short commands (Shortcuts), which allows you to create a shortcut for a specific action within an application - for example, opening a dialer or contacts list. This method is useful if the Phone application itself is hidden, but its functions are available.

Instructions:

  1. Press and hold an empty space on the desktop.
  2. Select Widgets (or Widgets).
  3. Find the widget Application shortcuts (may be called App Shortcuts or Activities in some launchers).
  4. Drag it onto the screen. A list of applications with available actions will open.
  5. Select Phone → Dial number (or another action, for example Recent calls).
  6. Confirm the creation of the shortcut.

On Samsung this method may not work due to restrictions One UI, but on Pixel or devices with Stock Android it is effective. If the widget Application shortcuts is missing, try installing the application Shortcut Maker from Google Play - it allows you to create shortcuts for any actions.

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The method with shortcut commands is the only option if the Phone application is disabled by the device administrator (for example, on corporate smartphones).

6. Restoring the shortcut after a system reset or update

If the phone icon disappeared after resetting settings, firmware update or installing a custom ROM, the reasons can be different: from a cache failure to deleting a system application. Here's how to get the shortcut back in such cases:

Step 1. Checking for the presence of the application:

  • Go to Settings → Applications.
  • In the search, enter Phone or Dialer.
  • If the application is missing, it has been deleted (for example, via ADB or custom recovery). In this case, you will need to reflash the device or install a third-party compositor (for example, Google Phone).

Step 2. Reset the cache:

  • Open the settings of the "Phone" application.
  • Click Storage → Clear cache i Clear data.
  • Reboot the device.

Step 3. Restore via Safe Mode:

  • Press the power button and hold Turn off poweruntil the prompt appears to go to Safe Mode.
  • In safe mode, check whether the phone shortcut appears. If so, the problem is in a third-party application (the launcher or optimizer may have removed the icon).
⚠️ Attention: If you used ADB or TWRP to remove system applications, restoring the phone shortcut may require re-flashing. In this case, it is easier to install an alternative compositor (for example, True Phone Dialer from Google Play).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the phone shortcut on Android

Why did the phone shortcut disappear after the update?

This is a typical problem for devices Samsung and Xiaomi after major updates (for example, with Android 12 on 13). Manufacturers sometimes change the structure of system applications, and the shortcut is “unlinked” from the launcher. Solution:

  1. Try the widget method (section 2).
  2. Clear the launcher cache (Settings → Applications → [Launcher name] → Cache).
  3. If that doesn’t help, install a third-party launcher (section 4).
Is it possible to change the phone icon to a custom one?

Yes, but the methods depend on shell:

  • On Stock Android or with Nova Launcher: long press on the icon → Change → select another image.
  • On Samsung (One UI): you will need to install the theme via Samsung Themes or use Icon Pack (for example, Whicons).
  • On Xiaomi (MIUI): you can change the icon only through themes in Settings → Theme.

For complete, select Nova Launcher + icon pack from Google Play.

The phone shortcut is there, but nothing happens when you press it?

This is a sign of a failure in the application or launcher. Procedure:

  1. Restart the device.
  2. Clear the cache of the “Phone” application (Settings → Applications → Phone → Cache).
  3. Check whether permissions are disabled for the application (Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions).
  4. If the problem persists, delete the shortcut and create it again (section 1 or 2).

If nothing helps, install an alternative compositor (for example, Google Phone) and create a shortcut for it.

How to add a phone shortcut to the lock screen?

On most devices this is not possible without root access, but there are workarounds:

  • On Samsung: add a widget Direct dial to the lock screen via Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
  • On Xiaomi: use the function Quick buttons in the screen settings locks.
  • Universal method: install the application Lock Screen Widgets (requires accessibility permissions).

Important: widgets on the lock screen can reduce security (anyone can make a call without unlocking).

Is it possible to create a shortcut for a specific contact?

Yes, and this is convenient for quick access to frequently used numbers. Methods:

  • On Samsung: use the widget Direct dial (section 2).
  • On Stock Android: long press on a contact in the Phone application → Add to home screen.
  • Universal: install the widget Contact and select the desired person in the settings.

Some shells (for example, EMUI) do not support this function - in this case it will help Nova Launcher.