Modern smartphone series Samsung Galaxy offer enormous opportunities for personalization, and one of the key functions is the ease of managing desktop content. Users are often faced with the need to move frequently used functions outside so as not to have to look for them in the depths of the application menu. The process of creating a shortcut may seem trivial, but the interface One UI from Samsung has its own unique features that distinguish it from stock Android.
In this article we will look in detail at all the ways to add shortcuts to the home screen of your device. We will look at methods for standard applications, websites, as well as for special system functions that are often hidden from the eyes of the average user. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to significantly speed up your work with your smartphone and make its interface as convenient as possible for your personal tasks.
The basic principle of working with the One UI desktop
Interface One UI, installed on all current Samsung models, is built on the logic of dividing the screen of applications and desktops. By default, when you install a new application from the store Google Play or Galaxy Store, its icon appears in the general list, but is not always automatically duplicated on the main screen. This is done so that the user can decide for himself which elements should be at hand.
To move an icon from the application menu to the desktop, you need to go to the general menu, usually called up by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Find the desired application in the list, hold its icon with your finger and hold until vibration appears or the interface scale changes. After that, without releasing your finger, drag the icon to a free area of the desktop.
If you release the icon in a place where space is already occupied by other widgets or shortcuts, the system will automatically move existing elements to free up space. However, if there is critically little space, the icon may simply return to its original position. In this case, it is recommended to clear space first or move less important items to other pages.
⚠️ Attention: On some Samsung models with the Hide unused apps option enabled, shortcuts may be automatically removed from the Home screen if you have not opened an app for a long time. Check your home screen settings to disable this feature if it interferes.
It is also worth noting that system behavior may vary slightly depending on the version Android and the specific shell One UI. For example, in new versions it became possible to group applications into folders directly in the drag-and-drop process, which simplifies the organization of space. Just drag one icon on top of another, and the system will automatically create a storage container.
Creating shortcuts for websites through a browser
Often users need quick access to a specific resource on the Internet, for example, a bank account or a news portal, without having to launch the browser and enter the address each time. The web page shortcut feature allows you to solve this problem by turning the link into a full-fledged icon on your desktop. This process is slightly different from working with regular applications.
To implement this task, you will need any modern browser installed on your Samsung Galaxy, for example Google Chrome or standard Samsung Internet. Open your browser and go to the site for which you want to create a shortcut. Make sure that the page has fully loaded and is displayed correctly.
The next steps will depend on the browser you are using. In most cases, you need to call up an additional menu, which is usually indicated by three dots in the upper or lower right corner of the screen. In this menu you should find the item “Add to home screen” or “Install application” if the site supports PWA (Progressive Web App) technology.
- 📱 Open the browser menu (three dots) and select "Add to home screen".
- ✏️ In the dialog box that appears, you can change the name of the shortcut to a shorter one or more convenient for you.
- ✅ Click the "Add" or "Install" button, after which the icon will appear on the desktop.
After completing these steps, an icon will appear on your screen, which visually may be almost no different from regular applications. When you click on it, the site will open in a separate window without an address bar and browser controls, which creates the effect of a full-fledged application. This is especially convenient for services that you use on a daily basis.
If the site supports installation as a PWA application, the menu item may be called "Install application". In this case, the site will work even faster and have access to some system functions.
Adding widgets and special controls
In addition to standard application icons, the interface One UI allows you to place widgets on the main screen - interactive elements that display dynamic information. Widgets can show the weather, exchange rates, meeting schedules, or music controls without requiring you to launch the app itself. This is a powerful tool for increasing the productivity of your smartphone.
To add a widget, you need to go to desktop editing mode. To do this, make a long tap (press and hold) on an empty space on the main screen. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the display, where you need to select “Widgets”. A list of all available widgets, grouped by application, will open.
Find the desired application in the list and expand its category by clicking on the arrow or name. You'll see different options for widget sizes and styles. Select the appropriate option, hold it and drag it to an empty space on your desktop. The system will automatically adjust the desktop grid to the size of the selected element.
| Widget type | Size (cells) | Functional |
|---|---|---|
| Clock | 2x2 or 4x2 | Display time, date and weather |
| Calendar | 4x4 | View monthly or weekly schedule |
| Battery | 2x2 | Charge level of the device and connected accessories |
| News | 4x2 | Latest news feed from selected sources |
Some widgets allow you to change their appearance after they are placed on the screen. When you click on a hosted widget, a customization button or context menu may appear where you can change the color scheme, transparency, or data displayed. This allows you to harmoniously fit the controls into the overall design of your interface.
Samsung Secret Widgets
In some versions of One UI, there are hidden widgets for quickly setting sound modes or turning on the flashlight, which can only be found through the search bar in the widget menu by entering the keyword "Good Lock" or "Modules".
Using Routines and Scripts for Automation
Advanced smartphone users Samsung can take advantage of the built-in automation tool, which was formerly known as Bixby Routines, and is now part of the "Modes and Scripts" section. This feature allows you to create shortcuts to perform complex sequences of actions with one touch. For example, a shortcut can simultaneously turn on Wi-Fi, reduce the brightness and launch a reading application.
To create such a shortcut, go to Settings → Modes and scenarios. Here you can create a new scenario by specifying a condition ("If") and an action ("Then"). After setting up the operating logic, the option “Add a button to the main screen” will appear in the script menu. This will create a special icon, when clicked on, the entire programmed algorithm will be executed.
This approach is especially useful for situations that are repeated day after day. You can create a Sleep shortcut that will turn on Do Not Disturb mode, set an alarm, and turn off mobile data. Or the "Driving" shortcut, which launches the navigator and turns on Bluetooth to communicate with the car.
⚠️ Attention: The scripts created in this section may conflict with other automatic system settings. If you notice strange behavior on your smartphone after adding a script shortcut, check the execution logs in the mode settings and disable conflicting rules.
It is important to understand that script shortcuts work differently than regular applications. They do not open the app interface, but instantly perform a background task. This makes them an ideal tool for saving time, but requires careful attention when setting trigger conditions to avoid unintended actions.
☑️ Creating an automation script
Setting up folders and grouping shortcuts
When the number of installed applications grows, the desktop can turn into a chaotic pile of icons. To maintain order, the Android system on Samsung smartphones offers an effective tool - folders. Creating folders allows you to group thematically related applications, freeing up precious space on the home screen.
The process of creating a folder is intuitive and does not require a deep dive into settings. Simply drag one application icon directly on top of another icon. The system will automatically create a container, place both applications there and prompt you to enter a name for the new folder. You can name it “Work”, “Games”, “Social Networks” or any other convenient word.
Inside the folder, you can continue to add applications in the same way - by dragging and dropping. It is also possible to change the folder size and the number of icons displayed on the cover. If you click on an open folder, and then on its name at the top, an editing menu will open where you can change the background color of the folder, which helps visually highlight important groups of apps.
An interesting feature One UI is the ability to create folders that occupy the entire space of one cell of the desktop, but when clicked, open to the entire screen or in the form of a pop-up window. This is achieved through the use of special themes or settings in the application Good Lockwhich is available in the Galaxy Store for advanced customization of the interface.
Folders are not just a storage method, but a navigation tool. Correct grouping of applications reduces the search time for the desired function by an average of 30%.
Solving problems with disappearing or not added shortcuts
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a shortcut is not added to the screen, spontaneously disappears after a reboot, or is displayed incorrectly (for example, a white square instead of an icon). Such problems may be caused by launcher glitches, cache fullness, or power saving limitations.
The first step in diagnosing such problems is to clear the One UI Home Screen app cache. This won't delete your settings or widgets, but it will reset temporary files that may have become corrupted. To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find "One UI Home Screen" in the list, go to the "Memory" section and click "Clear cache".
If the problem is that the icon of the installed application does not appear in the menu at all, check the settings for hiding applications. In the desktop menu (long tap on an empty space) select "Hide applications". Make sure that the app you need is not included in this list by accident. If it is there, click on the minus sign next to the name to return it to public access.
In rare cases, the problem may be related to access rights or errors after a system update. If the website shortcut does not create, try clearing your browser data or using a different browser to test. Also make sure that there is actually free space on the desktop - the grid One UI is quite rigid and will not allow you to place an element if all the cells are occupied.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may change slightly after major One UI firmware updates. If you do not find the described item, use the search in settings (magnifying glass icon at the top of the settings screen) by entering the keyword "Home screen" or "Widgets".
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why the application shortcut disappears after a reboot phone?
Most often this is due to the enabled “Hide unused applications” function in the home screen settings. The system automatically removes icons of apps that you have not used for a long time to free up space. Disable this option in the desktop settings to fix the shortcuts.
Is it possible to change the icon of a shortcut to your own picture?
You cannot change the icon of a specific shortcut using standard Android tools, but you can change the general set of icons (theme) in the settings. To individually replace the icon with any picture, you will need to install third-party launchers or use modules from the Good Lock (Theme Park) application.
How to add a contact shortcut to the home screen?
To do this, you need to add the "Contacts" widget. Long-press on an empty space on the screen, select Widgets, find Contacts, and select a display style (for example, live link). Drag the widget onto the screen and select a specific person from your phone book when setting up.
What if when you drag a shortcut, it doesn't "stick" to the screen?
Make sure you're not trying to place the shortcut in a occupied area of the grid. Also check to see if "Simple Mode" is enabled, which limits your ability to edit your desktop. Try rebooting the device if the problem is software-based.
Is it possible to create a shortcut for a specific chat in a messenger?
Yes, many instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) allow you to create direct shortcuts to conversations. Go to the settings of the messenger itself, find the "Widgets" or "Chat Shortcuts" section, select the desired contact and follow the instructions for placement on the main screen.