Wave gives you multiple ways to start recording instantly. These are different features, but all designed to save time:
Home and Lock Screen Widgets (📱 iOS only)
Quick Actions (📱 iOS & Android)
Home Screen Widgets (iOS only)
Wave Home Screen widgets let you start a recording with a single tap — right from your home screen.
What you can do
Start a new Wave recording instantly
Skip opening the app
Keep Wave visible on your home screen
How to add a Home Screen widget
You can add it two ways:
Option 1: From the Wave app icon (fastest)
Long-press the Wave app icon
Look for widget previews at the bottom of the menu
Tap a Wave widget
Tap Add Widget
Option 2: From the Home Screen
Long-press an empty area on your Home Screen
Tap Edit Home Screen
Tap the ➕ Add Widget button
Search for Wave
Select the widget
Tap Add Widget
Tap the widget anytime to start recording.
Lock Screen Widgets (iOS only)
Wave also supports Lock Screen widgets, so you can start recording without unlocking your phone.
What you can do
Start recording directly from your Lock Screen
Record faster when your phone is locked or idle
Keep Wave one tap away at all times
How to add the Wave Lock Screen widget
Long-press your Lock Screen
Tap Customize
Select Lock Screen
Tap the widget area (below the clock)
Find Wave
Add the Wave recording widget
Tap Done
Once added, just tap the Wave icon on your Lock Screen to start recording.
🔒 You may be prompted for Face ID depending on your security settings.
Quick Actions (iOS & Android)
Quick Actions appear when you long-press the Wave app icon.
They work on both iOS and Android and require no setup.
What Quick Actions let you do
Depending on your device and permissions, you may see:
Start Recording
Record Ongoing Phone Call
Contact Us
Send Beta Feedback
How to use Quick Actions
Long-press the Wave app icon
Tap the action you want
Wave opens directly into that feature
What’s the difference?
Feature | Home Screen Widget | Lock Screen Widget | Quick Actions |
iOS supported | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Android supported | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Works when phone is locked | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Lives on screen | Home Screen | Lock Screen | App icon |
One-tap recording | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Pro tip: Many users use all three — Lock Screen for speed, Home Screen for visibility, and Quick Actions for flexibility.
Having trouble?
If something isn’t showing:
Make sure Wave is updated
Check microphone & call permissions
Restart your device
Still stuck? Use Contact Us from the Quick Actions menu and we’ll help.