How to create a shortcut on Android step by step

  • On Android you can create shortcuts to apps, websites, files, settings and conversations to reduce taps and save time.
  • Shortcuts are managed from the launcher, widgets, specialized apps and, at the development level, through static, dynamic and fixed shortcuts.
  • It is possible to integrate shortcuts with Google services such as the Assistant using ShortcutManagerCompat and the shortcut integration library.
  • Other systems like iOS, Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu also allow you to create shortcuts to keep your most used resources handy.
Isaac

18 minutes

Create a shortcut on Android

If you use your mobile phone for everything, having it well organized makes all the difference. Create a shortcut on Android It's one of the fastest ways to have your apps, websites, files, or settings at your fingertips with a single tap, without wasting time searching through screens or menus.

Throughout this guide you will see, step by step, All the ways to create shortcuts on AndroidFrom typical app and website icons to shortcuts to WhatsApp conversations, documents, system settings, and even shortcuts created directly within an application's code (static, dynamic, and pinned shortcuts). You'll also find alternatives for other operating systems (Windows, Mac, Ubuntu) for a complete overview.

What is a shortcut on Android and why is it worth using?

On Android, a shortcut is an icon or element that takes you directly to a specific action: open an app, enter a website, open a setting, a file, or a conversationIt's similar to desktop shortcuts in Windows or macOS, but adapted to the mobile home screen.

These shortcuts can be simple icons that open an application or More advanced shortcuts that jump directly to an internal functionsuch as creating a new task, opening the front camera, or going to a specific WhatsApp chat.

The main advantage is clear: time savings and fewer touchesYou don't have to open your browser, type a URL, or enter an app and search through menus: the shortcut takes you right where you want in a single gesture.

In addition, shortcuts are combined with other elements on the home screen, such as widgets and folders, allowing customize your Android almost like it's a desktop PCwith everything important always at hand.

Basic shortcuts: apps and icon removal

direct access to Android applications

The first step is to understand how the simplest shortcuts work: the app icons on the home screenDepending on the launcher (the launcher or home screen) your phone uses, the behavior may vary slightly, but the idea is the same.

To add an app icon to the home screen, you usually just need to Open the app drawer and drag the app to the position you want on the home screen. On some phones, when you install a new app, the icon is automatically placed on the first available screen.

If what you want is Remove an app from the home screen Without uninstalling it, the process is usually:

  1. Long press the app icon.
  2. Drag it to the top or bottom where the option appears Remove or similar.
  3. Release the icon when you see the option to remove it from the home screen.

By doing this, The shortcut disappears from the home screen, but the app remains installed. You'll find it in the app drawer. If you choose Uninstall instead of Remove, then you will completely delete the app from your device.

How to create a shortcut to a web page on Android

Android website shortcut

One of the most practical uses is turn your favorite websites into “pseudo apps” Adding a shortcut to your home screen lets you access a site without opening your browser or typing anything first.

Create a website shortcut using Google Chrome on Android

Chrome is the most common browser on Android and allows you to easily add shortcuts to any website, as we explain in How to create a website shortcutThe process is as follows:

  1. Opens Google Chrome on your Android mobile.
  2. Type or open the URL of the page you want to create the shortcut to.
  3. Tap the menu button, the one that three vertical points in the upper right corner.
  4. In the menu, select the option Add to home screen (It may appear as “Add to Home Screen” or “Add Shortcut”).
  5. Enter the name you want for the icon or leave the one suggested by the website and click on Add.
  6. Accept when the system asks if you want to automatically add it to the home screen.

From that moment on, you'll have an icon in your launcher that Open that page directly in Chrome.as if it were a standalone application. The system decides which screen to put it on if there's no room on the main screen; then you can move it by pressing and holding and dragging.

Web shortcuts with Firefox on Android

If you use Firefox for AndroidThe procedure is almost identical to Chrome's, although the option may have a slightly different name. The usual steps are:

  1. Opens Firefox for Android and go to the website you want to have as a shortcut.
  2. Tap the menu button (three dots, which may be at the top, bottom, or in a corner depending on the version).
  3. Choose the option Add to home screen or “Create a shortcut to the page”.
  4. Edit the name if you want and confirm by clicking on Add automatically.

The icon will appear on your home screen and you will be able to to access that website directly without going through the bookmarks listjust like with Chrome.

Shortcuts to photos, music, and documents on Android

Android file shortcut

In addition to websites and apps, it's very useful to have a specific file: a photo, a song, a PDF, or a document that you check often. Android doesn't always allow this natively, so an extra app is usually needed.

One of the simplest apps for this is Shorty (or similar ones), which integrates with the Android Share menuIts typical operation is:

  1. Open the photo, song, or document from your gallery or file manager.
  2. Click on the option Share of Android.
  3. In the list of apps to share, choose the app option (for example, “Pin to home screen” by Shorty).
  4. Configure the shortcut name (Tag) and the icon you want to use.

In the case of images, many of these apps can use a thumbnail of the photo itself as an icon, while for other file types a generic icon is usually assigned whose shape or color you can customize.

Shortcuts to system settings in Android

Android has allowed adding for years. direct shortcuts to specific sections of the settingssuch as Wi-Fi, Data Usage, Hotspot, Memory, etc. It's not always visible, because it's actually done through widgets.

The general idea is that many pitchers include a Settings widget which is actually a configurable shortcut. The procedure is usually as follows:

  1. Press and hold on an empty space on the home screen until the personalization menu appears.
  2. Choose the option Widgets.
  3. Look in the list for the widget called “Settings” or “Configuration”.
  4. Drag it to the home screen. As soon as you release it, a list of settings sections will open.
  5. Select the section you want to create the shortcut to (for example, Wi-Fi Hotspot(Data usage, Screen, etc.).

From there you'll have an icon that takes you directly to that internal Settings menu, without having to go step by step from the main menu, which is very convenient if you often change a specific setting.

App shortcuts

Since Android 7.1 (Nougat) there have been the so-called Launcher shortcuts or app shortcutsThese are quick actions that appear when you long-press on a compatible app icon.

For example, the camera app can show shortcuts for directly open the front camera or start a selfie mode; a task app might offer the action “Add new task”; an email app might show “Compose new email”.

The exact behavior depends heavily on the launcher.In Nova Launcher, for example, you can:

  1. Press and hold an app icon to display its quick actions.
  2. Press and hold one of those actions again.
  3. Drag it to the home screen to make it a independent direct access to that specific function.

In some factory launchers this possibility does not exist or is limited, so You will not be able to convert the action into a standalone icon.However, you can still use it by pressing and holding the app icon. If that's your case, you can use alternative launchers or activity shortcut techniques, which we'll look at now.

Shortcuts to internal app activities

Within an Android application there are multiple internal “screens” called annualIn some cases it is possible to open an activity directly, without going through the initial screen, and create a shortcut that goes directly to that "hidden" part.

Some advanced launchers like Nova Launcher include a special widget for Activities which serves precisely that purpose. The typical procedure is:

The typical procedure is:

  1. Press and hold on the home screen and enter the menu. Widgets.
  2. Locate the “Activities” widget specific to your launcher (for example, “Activities – Nova Launcher”).
  3. Drag it to the home screen.
  4. Wait for the activity list of all installed apps to load.
  5. Choose the app and then the specific activity you want to create access to.

An icon will be generated that, when touched, directly opens that internal screenNot all activities work or are designed to open this way, so some may fail or close; it's best to try tapping before leaving the icon permanently.

If your launcher doesn't offer an activities widget, you can do something similar with specialized apps like download QuickShortcutMaker, which show the list of activities and allow you to create shortcuts to each one without needing to change the launcher.

Shortcuts to Google Drive files on Android

When you work a lot with the cloud, it's very practical to place shortcuts to Google Drive folders or files that you check continuously, so you don't have to keep going in and searching every time.

From the Google Drive app itself you can create these access points in a few steps:

  1. Open the application Google Drive on your mobile.
  2. Go to the folder or file you want to have on hand.
  3. Tap on the three-dot icon that appears next to the name.
  4. From the options menu, choose Add to home screen (if your version allows it).

This will generate an icon on the Android desktop that Open that folder or document directly in Drive.Some file explorers also allow something similar, but for files stored in the device's internal memory.

Shortcuts to conversations and widgets from WhatsApp and other apps

WhatsApp has been offering the option for some time now. Create shortcuts to chats and groups directly on the home screen. This is very useful for family members, frequent contacts, or work groups.

To create a shortcut To start a WhatsApp conversation, the usual steps are:

  1. Open WhatsApp and enter the chat or group you want to pin.
  2. Tap the menu button (three dots) in the top right.
  3. Sign in More.
  4. Choose Create Shortcut or “Add shortcut”.

The system will display a pop-up window to confirm, and when you accept, An icon will be created on the home screen that directly opens that chat.It works the same with groups as with individual conversations.

In addition to these shortcuts, many apps bring widgets that function almost like advanced shortcutsSome interesting examples:

  • WhatsApp: widget with list of conversations and quick access to unread messages.
  • Telegram: widget to quickly open frequent chats or conversations with unread messages.
  • System tools (MIUI, One UI, etc.): widgets to activate Wi-Fi, lock the screen, clear memory, etc.
  • Chrome: widgets with your bookmarks or frequently visited websites.
  • Google Photos: quick access to memories, albums, or suggested content.
  • Spotify and music players: playback controls on the home screen that act as a quick access to what you're listening to.

It's worth taking a few minutes to review all the widgets you have available, because the set of installed apps and the customization layer of your mobile phone This makes the list different on each device.

Shortcuts in the notification shade and quick settings

Another place where you can enjoy shortcuts on Android is the quick settings area from the notification shade (the panel that appears when you swipe down from the top of the screen).

There you can add buttons to turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, flashlight, hotspot, airplane mode and many other functions on and off, depending on the manufacturer's interface.

To customize those shortcutsYou should normally:

  1. Swipe up from the top to open the notification panel.
  2. Swipe a second time (if necessary) to see all the quick settings.
  3. Tap on the pencil icon or edit button.
  4. Drag the available shortcuts to the active area to add them and order them according to your priorities.

This way you not only have shortcuts on the home screen, but also in the status bar, accessible with a single gesture from any appand Rear touch on Xiaomi.

Shortcuts to apps like Microsoft To Do on Android

Some apps, like Microsoft To Do, integrate their own shortcut options into Android, combining app icons and quick actions. In this case, the typical workflow would be:

  1. Open the app drawer and drag the To Do app to the home screen.
  2. Once on the home screen, press and hold the To Do icon to open its context menu.
  3. Drag options like “Add new task” or “Search” from that menu to the home screen.

This way you'll have icons that They directly launch the creation of a new task or a search in To Do, without going through the application's main screen.

Shortcuts on other systems: iPhone, Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu

Although this guide focuses on Android, it's good to know that You can also create shortcuts on other systems. to have your favorite websites, folders, or apps at hand.

Direct access to a website on iPhone (iOS with Safari)

On iPhone and iPad, you can create website shortcut icons from Safari, similar to how Chrome does it on Android. The usual steps are:

  1. OPEN safari and enter the page you want to pin.
  2. touch the button Share (the box icon with the arrow pointing upwards).
  3. Select the option Add to home screen.
  4. Edit the name if you wish and click Add.

Once you confirm, an icon appears on your iOS home screen that Open that website directly, with an appearance very similar to an app.

Shortcuts in Windows 10 and Windows 11

In Windows 10 and 11 the concept is the same as always: shortcuts on the desktop or taskbarTo create them you can:

  1. Navigate to the folder or application you want to pin.
  2. Right-click on it and choose Create Shortcut.
  3. The shortcut is created in the same location and then you can drag it to the desktop or another folder.

You can also pin apps directly to the taskbar with a right-click, which It functions as a permanent shortcut..

Shortcuts on Mac (macOS)

On macOS, shortcuts are usually created using aliases, which allow Keep a folder or app handy without duplicating it.The classic form is:

  1. Open Finder and locate the desired application or folder.
  2. Press and hold the key Option while dragging the item to the desktop or Dock.
  3. An alias (shortcut) is created in the chosen location.

You'll see a small arrow icon above the alias, indicating that it's a direct access and not the original element.

Shortcuts in Ubuntu

In Ubuntu and other Linux desktops you can also create shortcuts, for example from the file manager:

  1. Select the folder you want to have access to.
  2. Right-click and choose an option similar to "create shortcut" or "create link".
  3. A link is generated in the same path, which you can move to the desktop or another location.

Thus, this applies to Linux, Windows, and Mac. The logic behind having access to what's important is the same as in Android.Fewer steps to get to what you use every day.

Advanced shortcuts for developers: static, dynamic, and fixed

In addition to everything you can do as a user, Android offers developers a very complete API for define shortcuts from within the app's own codeThis allows an application to display quick actions in the launcher and for these to update according to the context.

There are three main types of developer-level shortcuts:

  • Static: defined in XML, intended for generic and stable actions throughout the life of the app version (for example, opening the inbox, viewing today's calendar, etc.).
  • dynamic: created and updated at runtime, ideal for context-sensitive actions, such as resuming the last level of a game or the latest recent conversations.
  • PinnedThey appear as separate icons in the launcher; the user must confirm their creation and the system backs them up in the backups.

Static shortcuts in AndroidManifest and XML

To create static access, the developer must declare them in an XML resource file and link them from the app's main activity in the AndroidManifest.xml.

The conceptual steps are:

  1. Locate in the AndroidManifest.xml the activity that has the MAIN action and the LAUNCHER category.
  2. Add a label to that activity meta data that points to an XML resource where access will be defined (for example, @xml/shortcuts).
  3. Create the file res/xml/shortcuts.xml with a root element that contains one or more elements .
  4. In each Things like shortcut ID, short and long labels, icon, disabled message, and one or more are configured. intent that will be launched when using it.

Key attributes include android:shortcutId (unique identifier), android:shortcutShortLabel (short text shown to the user), android:shortcutLongLabel (longer descriptive text), android:shortcutDisabledMessage (message when trying to use a disabled access) and android:icon (graphic resource of the shortcut).

Internal elements can also be added, such as to group types of actions (for example, conversations) and to link access to action capabilities in apps integrated with the Google Assistant.

Dynamic shortcuts with ShortcutManagerCompat

Dynamic access allows an app Publish and update shortcuts based on actual user usageA typical example is a messaging app that displays the contacts you talk to most often as quick access points.

To manage them conveniently and in a way that is compatible with various Android versions, the following is used: Jetpack's ShortcutManagerCompat classwhich greatly simplifies standard code and offers methods such as:

  • pushDynamicShortcut() to publish or update dynamic access.
  • removeDynamicShortcuts() to remove a specific group of dynamic accesses.
  • removeAllDynamicShortcuts() to delete all dynamic elements from the app.

Furthermore, there is a Google Shortcuts Integration Library (core-google-shortcuts) which allows sending these dynamic shortcuts to platforms like Google Assistant, so that the user can invoke them by voice with commands like "Hey Google, send a message to Alex in MyApp".

To use this integration, the app must enable AndroidX and Jetifier in gradle.properties, add the corresponding dependencies in app/build.gradle, and then Send the shortcuts with pushDynamicShortcut()These dynamic shortcuts sent to Google are not subject to the same strict limit per device, allowing more shortcuts to be sent based on frequent actions.

Pinned shortcuts

From Android 8.0 (API 26) onwards, apps can request to create shortcuts pinned to the launcher, which appear as separate icons on the home screen, similar to those the user creates manually.

The basic flow at the code level is:

  1. Check with isRequestPinShortcutSupported() that the current launcher supports fixed shortcuts.
  2. create an object ShortcutInfo with the ID and access information (or just the ID if there is already a defined access that you want to set).
  3. Call to requestPinShortcut() passing the ShortcutInfo and, optionally, a PendingIntent to be notified if the user accepts and the shortcut is pinned.

The user will see a confirmation dialog where they can accept or decline the creation of the pinned shortcut. If they accept, The system is responsible for backing up and restoring that shortcut. during backups and restores, so it is recommended to use stable IDs (e.g., server identifiers).

Custom activities to create shortcuts

Some apps implement a Specific activity to help the user create custom shortcuts with certain options. In the app manifest, an intent filter with ACTION_CREATE_SHORTCUT is declared for that activity.

The flow that usually follows is

  1. The launcher or system initiates the app's shortcut creation activity.
  2. The user configures the shortcut options (contact, folder, label, etc.).
  3. When you press the confirmation button, the app creates a resulting intent with createShortcutResultIntent().
  4. The app returns that intent using setResult() and close the activity with finish().

It is also possible to suggest to the user that they add pinned shortcuts right after installing the app or on the first launch, thus integrating the creation of shortcuts in the normal flow of use.

Shortcut testing and compatibility

To verify that all these access points work, developers usually install the app on a device with a compatible launcher and:

  • Press and hold the app icon to see the list of available shortcuts.
  • Drag one of those shortcuts to set it as your home screen icon.

There are also compatibility methods in the support library that They allow the use of functions such as isRequestPinShortcutSupported() or requestPinShortcut() even in Android 7.1 and slightly earlier versions, using legacy mechanisms like EXTRA_SHORTCUT_INTENT when necessary.

Having well-designed shortcuts readily available, whether from a user's or a development perspective, makes the mobile device much more responsive: You can access your favorite websites as if they were apps, open key files and folders with a single tap, and jump directly into WhatsApp conversations or deep system settings.And the apps themselves can suggest frequent actions both in the launcher and through Google Assistant. Ultimately, it's about shaping Android (and the other systems you use) to adapt to your workflow, not the other way around.

Using a phone
Related article:
Android Shortcuts: Create, customize, and optimize your mobile experience