Have you ever noticed in Android a small star next to contacts, messages or files and wondered what it means? Function «Starred» (from the English “marked with an asterisk”) is a universal tool for quick access to important data, which many users ignore or use ineffectively. In this article we will look at where exactly this function is found, how it works in different applications, and why it should be used instead of traditional “favorites” or folders. Android This function is found, how it works in different applications, and why it should be used instead of traditional “favorites” or folders.

The concept stars came from web services Android from web services Google (for example, Gmail), but over time it became part of the operating system itself. Unlike folders or tags, tagged items don't require manual sorting - they are automatically collected in one place, be it contacts, SMS, files or even notes. The main advantage: you save time on searching, and the system itself filters the important from the unimportant. But there are also pitfalls, which we will also tell you about.

What does “Starred” mean in Android and why do you need it?

The term «Starred» literally translates as “marked with an asterisk” and serves as a universal marker of importance. In Android this function is integrated at several levels:

  • 📞 Contact: quick access to frequently used numbers (similar to “favorites”, but with advanced capabilities).
  • 💬 Messages: saving important SMS/MMS in a separate tab (in some shells, for example, Google Messages).
  • 📁 Files: selecting documents, photos or videos in Google Drive, Files by Google and other file managers.
  • 🌐 Browser: saving web pages to Chrome or Samsung Internet for offline viewing.

The main difference from “favorites” (Favorites) is flexibility. For example, in contacts you can add in Starred not. only loved ones, but also temporary numbers (for example, taxi or delivery), which can then be easily deleted. In the file manager, stars are convenient for marking draft projects or screenshots with important information without moving them to separate folders.

It is important to understand that «Starred» is not just a shortcut, but part of the ecosystem. Google. Marked items are synchronized between devices if you are logged into the same account. For example, a star on a contact on your phone will be displayed on your tablet, and the saved web page in Chrome will be available on your PC.

📊 Where do you most often use the “Starred” function?
B contacts
In messages
In the file manager
In the browser
I don’t use

Where to find “Starred” in standard Android applications

The location of the function depends on version Android and shell (for example, MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). Below are universal paths for most devices:

1. Contacts (Google Contacts / Phone)

In the standard application Google Contacts:

  1. Open the application Contact.
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner.
  3. Select the item Marked with an asterisk (Starred).

In shells Samsung or Xiaomi path may differ. For example, in One UI you need:

  1. Run Contact → Categories.
  2. Select Favorites (here often combined Starred and Favorites).

2. Messages (Google Messages / SMS applications)

In Google Messages:

  • Open a chat with a message.
  • Long-press the message → click on the icon stars in the top panel.
  • To see all marked ones: ☰ → Starred.

In standard SMS applications (for example, on Samsung) function may be named Favorite messages or absent altogether.

3. Files (Files by Google / Google Drive)

B Files by Google:

  • Open the file → tap on three dots (⋮) → Add to marked.
  • View: ☰ → Marked.

To Google Drive:

  • Select file → right button → Add to marked.
  • Access: side menu → Marked.

Select contact/message/file

Click on star icon or three dots (⋮)

Confirm the action (if required)

Check in the “Marked” section-->

How to manage marked elements: adding, deleting, synchronizing

Adding elements Starred intuitive, but there are nuances, especially when working with synchronization. Let's consider step-by-step actions for different types of data.

Adding and deleting

General algorithm:

  1. Find an element (contact, message, file).
  2. Press and hold (for messages) or tap on the ⋮ icon (for contacts/files).
  3. Select Add to marked or tap on the star icon.

To delete:

  1. Go to section Starred.
  2. Select the element → click on the star again (it will go out).

Synchronization between devices

If you are using an account Google, all marked elements are automatically synchronized via:

  • 📱 Contact: Google Contacts.
  • 📄 Files: Google Drive.
  • 🌐 Bookmarks: Chrome (if you marked web pages).

To check synchronization:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
  2. Make sure that the switches for Contacts, Drive and other necessary services are turned on.
💡

If the asterisk does not appear in contacts, check that Is synchronization with Google disabled. Sometimes the problem is solved by rebooting the device.

Differences between “Starred” and “Favorites” and other tags

Many users confuse Starred with Favorites (Favorites), but these functions have different purpose:

Function Where used Features Synchronization
Starred Contacts, messages, files, browser Universal marker, often temporary Yes (via Google)
Favorites (Favorites) Contacts, browser bookmarks Permanent list of important elements Yes (depending on the application)
Folders/tags File managers, gallery Requires manual sorting No (local)
Bookmarks Browsers, some applications Only for web pages Yes (via account)

Key difference: Starred — this a dynamic tool for quick access that does not require structuring.. For example, you can mark a courier contact with a star for the day, and then delete it without going to the main list. While Favorites usually contains permanent data (family, close friends).

In some shells (for example, MIUIfunctions are merged. Then Starred and Favorites are displayed in one section, but they can be controlled separately.

Why does the star disappear after updating Android?

In some versions of the OS (for example, Android 12+), Google has transferred the management of marked contacts to the web version of Google Contacts. If after the update the stars disappear, check:

1. Google account synchronization.

2. (the filters may have been reset).

3. Web version of contacts.google.com - sometimes changes there are not immediately displayed on the phone.

Problems with “Starred” and how to solve them

Despite its simplicity, the function Starred sometimes there are glitches. Let's look at typical situations and ways to eliminate them.

1. Stars are not displayed or disappear

Possible reasons and solutions:

  • 🔄 Synchronization is disabled: check Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization contacts.
  • 📱 Application cache: clear the cache for Contacts or Google Play Services Application cache Settings → Applications.
  • 🔄 Shell conflict: if you are using a non-standard application for contacts (for example, Truecaller), try returning the standard one.

2. You cannot add a contact to Starred

If the star icon is inactive:

  • 📇 Check whether the contact is saved in Google accountand not on the SIM card.
  • 🔧 Update the application Google Contacts to Play Market.
  • 📱 Restart the device - sometimes it helps with temporary failures.

3. Messages are not saved in Starred

V Google Messages:

  • 📶 Check your Internet connection - synchronization will not work without it.
  • 🔄 Update the application to the latest version.
  • 📱 If you are using a third-party SMS manager, the function may missing.
💡

If the problem persists after all the manipulations, try deleting and re-adding the Google account on the device. This will reset the synchronization, but will restore access to the marked elements.

Hidden features of “Starred”: life hacks and automation

The function Starred becomes even more useful if you use it together with other tools Android. Here are a few non-obvious techniques:

1. Quick access through widgets

Many shells allow you to add a widget to the home screen Marked contacts:

  1. Press an empty space on the screen → Widgets.
  2. Find widget Contact (usually 4×1 or 4×2).
  3. Select the option Marked with an asterisk.

Now important numbers are always at hand without unnecessary taps.

2. Automation with Tasker or Shortcuts

Using Tasker or Google Assistant you can create commands to work with Starred:

  • 🤖 Voice command: “Okay, Google, show me the tagged contacts.”
  • ⚙️ Automatic backup: set up a task in Tasker, which exports all Starred contacts to a file once a week.

3. Integration with other services

Some applications can work with tagged elements:

  • 📅 Google Calendar: you can create an event with a participant from Starred contacts with one tap.
  • 📧 Gmail: letters from tagged ones contacts are automatically included in the Important tab.
💡

In Google Contacts on the web version (contacts.google.com), you can bulk add contacts to Starred. Select several contacts → click on the star icon in the top bar.

Security: who can see your tagged items

Since Starred is synchronized via Google, it is important to understand who has access to this data. Here are the key points:

  • 🔒 Personal access: only you see your tagged contacts, messages and files (unless you explicitly shared them).
  • 🔄 Synchronization: data is stored on servers Google, but is protected by encryption.
  • 📱 Local copies: files and contacts may remain unencrypted on the device (risk of losing the phone).

To restrict access:

  1. Open Settings → Google → Google account management → Security.
  2. Enable Two-Step Verification.
  3. Check the section Devices with account access and delete unknown.
⚠️ Attention: If you use Starred to store sensitive data (for example, screenshots of documents or passwords in notes), make sure that encryption is enabled on the device. Otherwise, if the phone is stolen, an attacker will be able to access these files through the file manager.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about "Starred" in Android

Is it possible to restore deleted marked contacts?

Yes, if synchronized s Google was turned on. Go to contacts.google.com, open Trash (in the side menu) and restore the contact within 30 days after deletion. Contacts marked with an asterisk are restored along with the rest of the data.

Why doesn’t my phone have the “Starred” function?

Possible reasons:

  • You are using custom firmware without services Google.
  • The manufacturer replaced the standard application Contact with its own (for example, Huawei or Meizu).
  • Outdated version Android (below 8.0).

Solution: install Google Contacts from Play Market.

Is it possible to export a list of marked contacts?

Yes. Google Contacts:

  1. Open contacts.google.com to PC.
  2. In the side menu, select Export.
  3. Specify group Starred and format (vCard or CSV).

The file can be saved to disk or sent via mail.

Does “Starred” work offline?

Partially. You can add and remove stars without the Internet, but:

  • Changes are synchronized only when connected to the network.
  • In some applications (for example Google Messages) flagged messages may not be displayed offline.
How to disable Starred synchronization?

If you do not need synchronization:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
  2. Disable the switch Contact (for contacts) or Drive (for files).

Please note: this will disable synchronization all contacts/files, not only marked ones.