To remove favorites on Android, you remove shortcuts from the favorites row on your home screen by touching and holding the app or contact icon, then dragging it away from that row. This action clears the shortcut from the home screen without uninstalling the app or deleting the contact.
How to remove favorites on your Android home screen
The only officially documented method to remove favorites on Android applies to the favorites row at the bottom of your home screen. This row typically holds your most-used app and contact shortcuts for quick access.
- Locate the app or contact shortcut you want to remove in the favorites row at the bottom of your home screen.
- Touch and hold the shortcut until the screen responds.
- Drag the shortcut away from the favorites row and release it anywhere else on the home screen.
Once released, the shortcut disappears from the favorites row. You can repeat these steps for any other shortcuts you wish to remove.
What happens when you remove a favorite
Removing a favorite shortcut from the home screen does not uninstall the app or delete the contact from your device. The app remains in your app drawer, and the contact stays in your contacts list. You are only clearing the shortcut from that specific location on the home screen, which is useful for decluttering and freeing up phone storage space by reducing the number of icons your home screen needs to display.
Why other favorites may not work the same way
Android does not have a universal favorites system that works identically across the app drawer, contacts app, or phone dialer. The removal steps in those areas depend entirely on your phone manufacturer and Android version. For example, no official documentation exists for removing favorites from the Android app drawer or for clearing a separate favorites list within the contacts app or dialer. If your device offers such features, the method will vary, and you may need to consult your phone manufacturer's support resources. Removing favorites from the app drawer: tap and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then look for an option like 'Remove from Favorites' or 'Remove from Home screen'. Removing favorites from contacts: open the Contacts app, navigate to the 'Favorites' tab or 'Star' icon, tap and hold the contact, then select 'Remove from Favorites'. Clearing favorites from phone dialer: open the phone dialer, locate the 'Favorites' or 'Speed Dial' tab, tap and hold the contact, then select 'Remove from Favorites'.
Removing favorites on an iPhone (for comparison)
If you landed here while searching for how to remove favorites on an iPhone, the process differs because it targets the Phone app's contact favorites list. The steps depend on your iPhone's layout:
Unified layout: Open the Phone app, tap Calls, tap Edit, then tap Edit Favorites. Tap the minus button in the upper-left corner of the contact you want to remove, then tap the confirmation button.
Classic layout: Open the Phone app, tap Favorites, then swipe the contact name all the way to the left.
This removes the contact from your favorites list in the Phone app without deleting the contact from your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a favorite delete the contact?
No. Removing a favorite shortcut from the home screen or a favorites list only removes the shortcut or association. The contact remains saved in your phone's contacts app.
How many favorites can I keep?
No official limit is documented for the number of favorites you can keep in the Android home screen favorites row. The number may vary by device manufacturer and Android version.
Can I customize which apps appear in the favorites row?
Yes. You can add new shortcuts by dragging apps or contacts from the app drawer or contacts list into the favorites row. You can remove them using the touch-and-hold drag method described above.
Why can't I remove a favorite from my app drawer?
Android does not have a documented, universal method for removing favorites from the app drawer. If your device shows a favorites section in the app drawer, the removal method depends on your phone manufacturer's custom software.
Will removing a favorite free up storage space?
Removing a shortcut frees up visual space on your home screen but does not delete the app or its data. It can help with organization and may contribute to freeing up phone storage space indirectly by reducing clutter, but it does not reclaim significant storage.
Can I customize the favorites list on my Android phone?
Yes, by long pressing a contact and selecting 'Add to favorites' or 'Remove from favorites'.
Can I have multiple favorites lists on my Android phone?
No, Android phones typically only support a single favorites list.
How many contacts can I add to my favorites list on an Android phone?
Most Android phones allow 20 to 30 contacts.
