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Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone

Jan 14, 2015 07:13 PM
Smartphone screen displaying a calendar app with event notifications.

WhatsApp is the go-to application for sending a message (or 100) to friends at home and abroad. And the best thing is, the service has remained true to its roots after Facebook acquired the company for $19 billion.

Despite its awesomeness, there's one thing that WhatsApp is lacking: a Notification Center widget. While the official app doesn't have a widget available, there is another way to get one so that you can access your favorite WhatsApp contacts even faster on your iOS 8 device.

Install "Shortcut for WhatsApp Plus"

Go ahead and install the free Shortcut for WhatsApp Plus by Aplicativos Legais from the iOS App Store. Yes, the name is probably one of the least creative ones you'll see out there, but it's to the point, giving you quick access to your favorite WhatsApp contacts.

Allow the App Access to Your Contacts

After installation, open up the app and allow it to access your contacts. Next, you will see a breakdown of what steps you'll need to take to get this shortcut working.

"Permission request for WhatsApp Shortcuts app to access contacts"
Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone
"Permission request for WhatsApp Shortcuts app to access contacts"
Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone

Click on "OK, got it!" and move on to adding your widget.

Add the Widget in the Notification Center

Pull down the Notification Center and make sure you are in the "Today" section. Near the bottom, select "Edit," then tap the green plus icon next to "Shortcut WhatsApp Widget" to add it.

Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone
Smartphone notification screen displaying various app alerts and summaries.
Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone
Smartphone notification screen displaying various app alerts and summaries.

Add Contacts to the Widget

It would be great if the app preloaded all of your WhatsApp contacts for you, but you will need to add each one yourself. Back in the Shortcut for WhatsApp Plus app, tap the green plus icon and select people from your contacts list that you'd like to add a WhatsApp shortcut for in the widget.

Add contact button in WhatsApp shortcuts interface.
Contact list displayed on a mobile device.
Add contact button in WhatsApp shortcuts interface.
Contact list displayed on a mobile device.

There is a three contact limit in the free version, but you can unlock the full version to remove the limit for $0.99 via an in-app purchase.

Upgrade to Full Version option in mobile app menu.
Shortcut for WhatsApp promotion with pricing details.
Upgrade to Full Version option in mobile app menu.
Shortcut for WhatsApp promotion with pricing details.

Use the Widget to Access WhatsApp Contacts Faster

Now, pull down your Notification Center, make sure you're in the "Today" view, then simply tap on the name you want to message and WhatsApp will open directly to your most recent conversation with that contact.

Shortcut widget menu on a smartphone displaying contacts and sports updates.
Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone
Shortcut widget menu on a smartphone displaying contacts and sports updates.
Get Faster Access to Your Favorite WhatsApp Contacts on Your iPhone

You can also reorder your contacts or delete them entirely inside the main Shortcut for WhatsApp Plus app. Just tap "Edit" and drag-and-drop the contacts in your desired order using the three horizontal lines on the right, or hit the red minus () sign and tape on "Delete" to remove them.

WhatsApp shortcuts menu with contact names displayed.
WhatsApp shortcuts list showing contacts.
WhatsApp shortcuts menu with contact names displayed.
WhatsApp shortcuts list showing contacts.

Widgets are slowly making third-party applications increasingly convenient and useful on iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches. What do you think about Shortcut for WhatsApp Plus?

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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