We explain the various methods to create a shortcut on Android and have various important elements of your device at hand.
One of the main advantages of Android is the possibilities it offers to customize the system . For example, widgets can be created on the home screen, making it easy to quickly view information just by unlocking the device. However, it is also possible to add shortcuts in various ways and with various destinations. Do you already know how to create a shortcut on Android? In this article we are going to show you all the possible ways.
The guide that we provide below dedicates a section to each method to create a shortcut on Android . We explain what steps you must follow to add links to Google Drive files, to websites and much more. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your device and keep all your favorite features close at hand.
Index of contents
- All the ways to create a shortcut on Android
- To a web page
- To a Drive file
- To a WhatsApp conversation
- Con los widgets
- Create shortcut in Android in the notification curtain
All the ways to create a shortcut on Android
Next, let’s discuss all the ways to create a shortcut on Android. We recommend several processes that will help you generate links to files, applications, and websites.
To a web page
Adding a shortcut to the home screen that takes you quickly to a website is a simple trick. All you need is a browser that includes this possibility. Fortunately, one of the most used on Android is capable of adding shortcuts to websites. We mean Chrome.
These are the steps you must follow:
- Open the website you want to generate a shortcut to in Chrome.
- Click on the three dots button to see all the options.
- Tap Add to Home Screen.
- In the dialog that pops up, change the name of the shortcut if necessary and click on Add.
The web page now has a shortcut on the home screen.
To a Drive file
Sometimes there are synced folders in Google Drive that are recurring to you. As you must consult them continuously, the most interesting thing is to have a quick access mode. Adding folders and files to the home screen is possible thanks to Google Drive.
You can do it like this:
- Abre Google Drive.
- Locate the directory or file you want to link to on the home screen.
- Click on the three dots to see all the options.
- Tap on Add to home screen.
Now you have a link to the folder or file so you can quickly access it. Additionally, remember that some file explorers offer a similar tool, but focused on files stored locally in internal memory.
To a WhatsApp conversation
Although we will mention WhatsApp later, when we talk about widgets, we wanted to dedicate an exclusive section to talk about shortcuts to conversations . This feature of the app gives you the ability to add any of your contacts to the home screen.
You do it like this:
- Enter the conversation you want to bring to the home screen.
- Tap on the three dots to open the context menu.
- Click on More.
- Tap on Create Shortcut.
Now, you have a shortcut to the conversation on the home screen. There is the possibility of doing the same with groups. In addition, WhatsApp shortcuts behave like other applications, so you can delete them at any time and add them to a folder, if you consider it appropriate.
Con los widgets
Widgets are small add-ons to apps that provide quick information, features, or access right from your home screen.
There are some interesting shortcuts that we recommend:
- WhatsApp. You get a list with all your conversations and it is possible to access unread messages from the home screen.
- Telegram. It has a widget to quickly access your most frequent contacts or conversations with unread messages.
- System Tools. Some customization layers, such as MIUI, offer shortcuts to functions of the system itself, such as screen lock, Wi-Fi activation and the like.
- Chrome. The Google browser, in addition to allowing you to add websites as a shortcut to the home screen, has a widget with the list of bookmarks you have saved.
- Google Photos. Widget to always have at hand the resources automatically generated by Google Photos.
- Spotify. Provides the ability to control playback from the home screen. We can say that it is a direct access to what is being listened to on the device.
These are just a few examples of widgets that act as shortcuts on Android . Our suggestion is that you spend some time viewing all that are available on your device. The total number of widgets varies depending on the apps installed and the customization layer.
Create shortcut in Android in the notification curtain
Finally, we explain what you must do to create a shortcut on Android in the notification curtain. More specifically, we are referring to adding elements to the quick settings area.
Swipe from the top to see the notification curtain and press the edit button in the quick settings area. So, add any of the elements that are available. Then, move the added items around to organize them according to your needs.