How to Quickly Get to Favorite Contacts in iOS 8

Apple’s newest iteration of their mobile platform, iOS 8, adds a lot of functionality. While iOS 7 brought in the visual update Apple wanted, iOS 8 brings in the powerful features we’ve been asking for. One of those features is a quick way to access your favorite contacts, and it couldn’t be simpler.

Here, we’ll walk you through how to quickly and easily get hold of those people you chat with most. Keep in mind that the list populates automatically, and a bit later on we’ll discuss how that happens.

Finding and messaging your favorite contacts

1. Double-tap your Home button.  At the top of the screen, you’ll see icons for your “favorite” people

2. Click on a name, and the methods for contacting them open up. Swiping left to right may give you more options.

3. Select your favorite method and communicate!

This list is automatically generated, and only gathers info based on a few communication methods, specifically Apple’s. If you text or call using Apple’s Messaging app or dialer, contacts will show in the top bar. Similarly, if you email using Mail, their email will show up at the top.

If you contact someone via a messaging app like Hangouts, their info won’t show at the top of your screen. Even if you’re communicating with someone in your contacts list, their icon won’t pop up unless you use one of Apple’s methods for communication.

Have you found this quick access to favorite contacts helpful? Let us know in the comments section below!