Get the lock screen dialer shortcut back on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

You may have noticed that the dialer shortcut on your Android 6.0 lock screen has been replaced with a shortcut to Google Now. The lock screen has been evolving for a long time, and many of the changes have happened to provide a better experience to the user. However, Google doesn’t always know what you want more than you do. If the dialer shortcut was something you regularly used to initiate calls, you can add it back to the lock screen (with one caveat). Here’s how:

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Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 1: Head to Settings menu and then choose Apps.

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Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 2: Press the gear icon in the top right-hand corner and choose Default Apps > Assist & voice input.

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Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 3: Tap the Assist option and choose None from the pop-up menu.

The current selection is Google, which means that the Google Now shortcut on the lock screen will be replaced. And now for that caveat: Changing this setting also disables long-pressing the Home button to open Google Now on Tap.

If you change your mind, you can always switch the Assist app back to Google.

Which shortcut is most useful to you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Check out CNET’s guide to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for more information on the newest features.

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