Add Favorite Contacts on Samsung Galaxy J5

This guide shows you how to mark important contacts as favorites on your Samsung Galaxy J5, so you can find them instantly in the Contacts app and use the dedicated Favorites tab for quick calling and messaging. You’ll need your Galaxy J5 with the Contacts app (usually preinstalled) and the contact already saved in your phone’s memory or SIM card.

What You’ll Need

• Samsung Galaxy J5 (any variant: J5 2015, J5 2016, J5 2017, J5 Prime, etc.)
• The contact you want to favorite must already exist in your Contacts list (phone or SIM).
• Your phone should be unlocked and on the Home screen.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Phone app (the green icon with a phone handset, usually at the bottom of the Home screen). If you don’t see it, swipe up from the bottom to open the Apps screen and tap Phone.
2. At the top of the Phone app, you’ll see tabs like Keypad, Recents, and Contacts. Tap Contacts to see your saved numbers.
3. Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the contact you want to add to favorites. Tap on the contact’s name to open their details page.
4. On the contact details page, look for a star icon. It’s usually located near the top right corner, next to the contact’s name, or in the row of action icons (call, message, etc.). The star will be outlined (empty) if the contact is not a favorite.
5. Tap the star icon. It will fill in with a solid color (typically gold or blue, depending on your theme). This immediately adds the contact to your Favorites list.
6. To confirm, go back to the Contacts tab. At the top, you should see a Favorites tab (or a star icon). Tap it to view all your favorite contacts. The contact you just starred should appear there.
7. If you want to remove a contact from favorites later, simply open the contact again and tap the filled star to unfill it. The contact will be removed from the Favorites list instantly.

Common Mistakes

• Starring from the wrong place: Some users try to star a contact from the call log or message thread. The star only appears on the contact’s details page, not in the call log list.
• Tapping the wrong star: In some Samsung versions, there’s a star next to the contact’s name in the list view (on the right side). Tapping that star also works, but if you tap it accidentally, you might favorite the wrong person. Always double-check the name.
• Expecting favorites to sync: Favorites are stored locally on your phone unless you’re using a Google or Samsung account. If you switch phones, your favorites may not carry over automatically. They are separate from the contact itself.
• Confusing Favorites with Speed Dial: Favorites are a separate list from speed dial numbers. Speed dial assigns a number (like 1, 2, 3) to a contact for quick dialing from the keypad. Favorites are just a filtered view of your contacts.

Tips

• Use the Favorites tab for quick access: After adding several contacts, the Favorites tab becomes a mini speed-dial list. You can tap a contact there to call or message them directly.
• Add from the contact list directly: Instead of opening each contact, you can tap and hold on a contact name in the list. A pop-up menu may appear with an option to “Add to Favorites” (or a star icon). This is faster if you have many to add.
• Organize with groups: If you have many favorites, consider creating a contact group (e.g., “Family”) and then favoriting the group. This way, you can send a message to all of them at once from the Favorites tab.
• Use the search bar in Favorites: Even in the Favorites list, you can use the search bar at the top to filter through your starred contacts.
• Check your theme: The star icon might look different if you have a custom theme installed. It’s still usually in the same location, but the color may vary.

Troubleshooting

• Star is not visible: If you don’t see a star on the contact details page, make sure you are viewing the contact details (not just the list). Scroll down a bit; on some versions, the star is in the top right corner of the contact’s photo area. If you still can’t find it, try tapping the three-dot menu (vertical dots) at the top right and look for “Add to Favorites” or “Star” there.
• Favorites tab is missing: On some Galaxy J5 models, the Favorites tab might be hidden. Swipe left or right on the tabs row (Keypad, Recents, Contacts) to see if there’s a Favorites tab. If not, go to Contacts > tap the three-dot menu > Settings > and check if “Favorites” is enabled in the tabs.
• Contact won’t star: If tapping the star does nothing, try restarting your phone. If the issue persists, the contact might be corrupted. Delete the contact and re-add it, then try favoriting again.
• Favorites not syncing: If you have a Google or Samsung account, favorites may sync across devices. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts, select your account, and ensure Contacts sync is enabled. Also, check that the contact itself is saved to the account, not just the phone.
• After a software update, favorites disappeared: This can happen if the update changed the Contacts app data. Try restarting your phone. If they don’t return, you may need to re-add them. To prevent this, regularly back up your contacts via Smart Switch or your account sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I add a favorite contact from the SIM card? Yes, you can. The contact must be saved on the SIM, and you can star it. However, if you remove the SIM, the contact and its favorite status may disappear. It’s better to copy SIM contacts to your phone or Google account.
2. Does favoriting a contact also add them to speed dial? No. Favorites and speed dial are separate. To set a speed dial, go to the Keypad tab, tap the three-dot menu, select Speed dial, and assign a number.
3. Can I reorder my favorites? In the Favorites tab, you can usually press and hold a contact and drag it to a new position. If that doesn’t work, try tapping the three-dot menu in the Favorites tab and look for “Reorder” or “Sort by”.
4. Why does my favorite contact not appear in the Favorites tab? Make sure the star is actually filled. Sometimes the contact is saved in a different account (e.g., Google vs. Samsung) and the Favorites tab is set to show only certain accounts. Check the filter in the Contacts settings (under “Contacts to display”).
5. Can I add a favorite from a message thread? Yes, you can open the message thread, tap the contact’s name or avatar at the top, and it will open the contact details page, where you can tap the star.
6. Will my favorites be deleted if I perform a factory reset? Yes, unless they are backed up. Favorites are stored in the phone’s local database. To keep them, back up your contacts via Smart Switch, Samsung Cloud, or Google sync before resetting.

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