Your Android Home Screen Needs More Shortcuts
The Android home screen is extremely customizable. While users mostly focus on icon packs, widgets, and launchers, one small, incredibly useful feature often gets overlooked: your ability to add shortcuts right to your home screen.
The concept of actionable shortcuts was introduced to Android many years ago, and many popular apps have embraced it. These are the options you see when you press and hold an app icon on the home screen. For example, a long press on the Notes app icon can show you the option to create a new voice note, and Spotify lets you start searching without actually opening the app.
While these shortcuts are handy, it’s even better to add them directly to your home screen, which will give you even faster access to your favorite actions (much faster than pressing and holding).
How to Add App Shortcuts to the Android Home Screen
Application shortcuts are independent of the launcher. As long as you’re using a modern Android smartphone, they will work. First, find an app with a frequently used shortcut, press and hold the app’s icon. You will see three shortcut options. Press and hold a shortcut, drag it anywhere on the home screen, and lift your finger. That’s it: you’ve just turned a shortcut into an icon on your home screen.
The Best App Shortcuts You Should Try on Android
Now that you know how it works, you’ll want more (and there are actually quite a few). You can even have a home screen dedicated only to shortcuts, if you like. Here is a short list of recommendations to get you started.
Phone : Your “frequently used” and “favorite” contacts can be added to the home screen with a quick shortcut.
Google Keep : A quick shortcut to add a new note works well. This shortcut may work with third party apps or with the default Notes app on your phone.
Google Maps : A shortcut for navigating home or work is likely to be useful for those who commute frequently.
YouTube : Use the shortcut to go directly to the Subscriptions tab on YouTube, ignoring all featured content.
Spotify : Go directly to your favorite playlist or favorite song list with a shortcut.
Camera : Take a selfie with a dedicated shortcut.
Chrome : Use a shortcut to open a new tab or incognito browsing session.
There’s a lot more to try
These shortcuts are integrated into all kinds of messaging and productivity apps. If you use the app frequently, check which shortcuts are available (of course, all you have to do is touch and hold the app icon). If you find yourself doing it often, add it to your home screen and use it as needed.