Creating shortcuts on the desktop Android is an easy way to speed up access to your favorite sites, frequently used contacts or hidden system functions. But not all users know that in addition to standard application icons, you can place web page shortcutsdirect links to settings or even deep links in messengers. In this article we will look at all possible methods - from basic to advanced, including bypassing restrictions of some manufacturers.

The peculiarity Android is that the interface can vary greatly depending on the shell: One UI y Samsung, MIUI y Xiaomi, EMUI y Huawei. We will take these nuances into account and show universal methods that work on 90% of devices. And if your smartphone behaves non-standardly, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions to typical problems.

1. Shortcut to a web page through a browser (the easiest way)

This method is suitable for all modern browsers: Chrome, Samsung Internet, Firefox and even Opera. The main advantage is that you do not need to install additional applications. Let's look at the process using an example Google Chrome, since it is preinstalled on most devices.

Open the desired site in the browser, for example vk.com or youtube.com. Make sure the page has fully loaded - sometimes the shortcut is created with an error if the content is still loading. Then:

  • 📌 Click on the three dots in the upper right corner (browser menu).
  • 🔗 Select "Add to home screen" (in some versions - "Install shortcut»).
  • ✏️ If necessary, edit the name of the shortcut (the page title is taken by default).
  • ✅ Click "Add" or "Done».

The finished shortcut will appear on the desktop. When clicked, it will open the site in the browser, and not in a separate window. If you want the page to open as an application (without the address bar), read the next section.

📊 What browser do you use on Android?
Google Chrome
Samsung Internet
Firefox
Opera
Other

2. Web application (PWA) - a shortcut as a separate application

Progressive Web App (PWA) is a technology that allows sites to work as native applications. Many popular services (Twitter, Spotify, Telegram Web) support this format. Advantage over a regular shortcut: there is no browser address bar, you can add it to the notification screen, sometimes it works offline.

To create. PWA shortcut:

  1. Open the site in Chrome (must support PWA).
  2. Click on the three dots → “Install application" (if the option is active).
  3. Confirm installation - the shortcut will appear on the desktop and in the application menu.

If the “Install application” option is missing, then the site does not support PWA. In this case, a workaround will help:

Open the site in Chrome

Check for the presence of the "Install" option. application"

Update Chrome to the latest version

Clear browser cache in case of errors-->

Alternative method via Samsung Internet:

  • 🌐 Open the site in the browser Samsung Internet.
  • 🔧 Click on the three horizontal lines → "Add to home screen».
  • 📱 Select "Open as an application" (if available).
⚠️ Attention: Some banking sites and services with two-factor authentication may block work in PWA mode. In this case, use a regular shortcut.

3. Shortcut to a contact or message (quick access to the chat)

If you need to quickly open a dialogue with a specific person in WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, you can create a shortcut directly on your desktop. This will save time searching for a contact in the chat list.

For WhatsApp:

  1. Open the application and find the desired chat.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → "More» → «Add a shortcut».
  3. Confirm the creation - the shortcut will appear on the desktop.

For Telegram:

  • 📎 Hold your finger on the contact name in the chat list.
  • 🔗 In the menu that appears, select “Pin to main screen».

Similar functions are available in Viber and Facebook MessengerIf the option is missing, use Widgets these applications - they often allow you to add shortcuts for quick access.

Messenger How to create a shortcut Does PWA support
WhatsApp Chat menu → “Add” shortcut" No
Telegram Long press on chat → “Pin” Yes (web version)
Viber Contact settings → “Shortcut to home screen” No
Facebook Messenger through the app widget Yes

4. Shortcut for system settings (hidden features)

Few people know, but Android you can create shortcuts for quick access to any settings - for example, developer mode, menu USB debugging or settings Silent. This is useful if you often change some settings.

To do this:

  1. Hold your finger on an empty space on the desktop.
  2. Select "Widgets" (or "Add to main screen» → «Widgets»).
  3. Find the widget "Settings" (it may be called " Samsung it may be called "Shortcuts and widgets»).
  4. Drag it to the screen and select the desired setting from the list.

List of useful settings shortcuts:

  • 🔋 «USB debugging developer mode.
  • 📶 «Mobile network" - to quickly switch 4G/5G.
  • 🔇 «Mute" - instant mute.
  • 🔄 «Auto-rotate" - if you often change the screen orientation.
💡

On Some firmwares (for example MIUI) the settings widget is hidden. To find it, first add any widget to the screen, then scroll to the end in the list - a complete list may appear there.

5. Advanced methods: shortcuts through ADB and third-party applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, on Huawei with EMUI or on some versions Android Go, you can use ADB commands or specialized utilities.

Method. 1: through the app Shortcut Maker

Utility Shortcut Maker (available in Google Play) allows you to create shortcuts for any activities (hidden functions) applications. For example, you can create a shortcut for:

  • 📁 Internal memory (com.android.documentsui).
  • 🔧 Recovery menu (com.android.settings/.RecoverySettings).
  • 📡 Test menus (com.android.settings/.TestingSettings).

Instructions:

  1. Install Shortcut Maker from Play Market.
  2. Open the application and select "Activity».
  3. In the list, find the desired application and activity (for example, com.android.settings.Settings$DevelopmentSettingsActivity for developer mode).
  4. Click on it and select "Create a shortcut».

Method 2: Via ADB (for technical users)

If you need to create a shortcut for a system component that is not displayed in the interface, use the command:

adb shell am start -n application package/activity package

For example, to open the menu USB debugging:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB commands can disrupt the operation of the system. Do not change the settings if you are not sure of their purpose.

6. Solving problems: the shortcut is not created or disappears

Sometimes shortcuts do not want to be added to the desktop. Let's look at typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

Problem Cause Solution
No “Add to home screen” option Outdated browser version or shell Update Chrome or use Firefox
The shortcut disappears after reboot Clearing the launcher cache Install an alternative launcher (Nova Launcher)
The shortcut opens the wrong page Browser cache or redirect Clear your browser data or create the shortcut again
You can't drag the shortcut Shell restrictions (MIUI, EMUI) Use a browser widget or Shortcut Maker

If shortcuts are not saved on Xiaomi or Huawei:

  • 🛠️ Install a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher).
  • 🔄 Restart the device - sometimes resetting the cache helps system.
  • 📥 Check if the “Memory optimization” function is enabled in the battery settings (it can remove “unnecessary” shortcuts).
Why can’t you create a shortcut on some phones?

Manufacturers (especially Xiaomi and Huaweioften block the addition of shortcuts to the desktop in order to “simplify” the interface. This is due to the policy of shells that try to minimize user settings. You can bypass the restriction only through third-party launchers or ADB.

7. methods: widgets and quick settings

If you can’t create a shortcut, consider alternatives:

  • 📱 Browser widgets: many browsers (Chrome, Firefox) have widgets for quick access to bookmarks.
  • ⚡ Quick settings panel: add frequently used functions there (for example, Airplane mode or Flashlight).
  • 🔖 Bookmarks on the lock screen: some shells (Samsung, Oppo) allow you to add application shortcuts directly to the lock screen.

How to add a browser widget:

  1. Hold your finger on the desktop → "Widgets».
  2. Find your browser widget (for example, "Chrome Bookmarks»).
  3. Drag it onto the screen and select the desired bookmark.

The advantage of widgets is that they update automatically frequently (for example, a weather or currency rate widget). And in the quick settings panel you can place up to 9 of the most important switches.

💡

If standard methods do not work, widgets and quick settings panels become the best alternative to shortcuts. They are just as convenient, but less dependent on manufacturer restrictions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about shortcuts on Android

You can. Is it possible to create a shortcut for a specific section in an application (for example, “Favorites” in YouTube)?

Yes, but not for all applications. Some services (for example, YouTube, Google Maps) support deep linksTry:

  1. Open the desired section in the application.
  2. Click "Share" and select "Copy link».
  3. Paste it into the browser and create a standard shortcut way.

If the link opens in the browser and not in the application, then deep links are not supported.

Why does the site shortcut open in the browser and not as an application?

It depends on whether the site supports the technology PWAIf there was no option when creating the shortcut. “Install the application", which means the site is not optimized for this mode. An alternative is to use a browser Kiwi Browser, which forces any shortcuts to open in windowless mode.

How to change the shortcut icon?

With standard means Android this is not possible. But you can:

  • Use a launcher that supports changing icons (Nova Launcher).
  • Install the application Icon Changer from Play Market.
  • Create a shortcut via Shortcut Maker and select your icon.

On some firmware (MIUI), changing icons is blocked at the system level.

Is it possible to make a shortcut to launch the game with certain settings?

Yes, but only if the game supports launch options (for example, through Intent). To do this:

  1. Install Shortcut Maker.
  2. Select the game in the list of applications.
  3. If additional options are available (for example, --windowed for windowed mode), add them.
  4. Create a shortcut.

Most mobile games do not support such options, but some emulators (for example, RetroArch) allow you to customize the launch.

How to transfer shortcuts to a new phone?

Shortcuts are not synchronized via Google Account, but they can be saved:

  • Take a screenshot of your desktop and restore the shortcuts manually.
  • Use a launcher with a backup function (Nova Launcher → «Backup/Restore»).
  • Export the list of applications via Google Play (site shortcuts will have to be created again).