There are online services that don't have their own Android app, but we use them as much as apps. Sometimes it's great to have direct access to these websites on our Android desktop, and for them to look just as good as the app icons. Create these shortcuts It is fast and allows you to open the web in one touch, as if it were an app, and even in many cases take advantage of functions of progressive web apps (PWAs) that remove the browser bar for a more immersive experience.
Use Chrome
There are various widgets for adding a favorite or similar to the home screen, but we don't want to use that one because the shortcut usually doesn't look very nice, as it only has a generic icon for the link generated by that particular widget application. Therefore, It is best to use the Google Chrome browser, which you'll have installed on your Android. The goal is to achieve something similar to the following.
In the bottom section, the bottom row is apps, and the top row is links to web pages. If that website has set up a icon for smartphones and tablets (using a suitable manifest or favicon), this will appear, and if not, as is the case with Android Help and another blog, an icon with the first letter of the website will simply appear, or something similar, depending on the launcher that each person has installed.
To add an icon this way, you must first open chrome, and go to the website you want to add to the home screen. Once it has fully loaded, press the Chrome menu button , which is in the upper right corner. Now select Add to home screen . put whatever name you want , and confirm. It's that easy to add any website to your home screen with the configured icon for each one, so it looks almost like any app. On supported websites, you'll sometimes see the option install app, which creates a PWA access that opens in its own window without the browser bar.
Other browsers: Firefox and Brave
The process is very similar if you prefer another browser. Menu etiquette may vary, but the result is the same: an icon on your home screen that opens the specific page.
- Firefox: Open the web, tap the menu, choose Add to Home Screen. You can edit the name before creating the access.
- Brave: Visit the desired page, tap the three-dot menu, and select Add to Home Screen. If the website offers PWA, it will appear Install. Shortcuts created from Brave will open directly in Brave.
Remember that the launcher can place the icon on a secondary screen. Move it and organize it wherever you prefer, even inside folders alongside other apps.
Shortcuts beyond the web
Android also allows shortcuts to files, photos or music Using specialized apps like Shorty: share the file from the gallery or file manager and choose “Pin to home screen”. You can customize the name and icon.
To enter specific sections of the Settings, add the “Settings” widget from your launcher and select a section (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspot). This is a quick way to open a specific panel with one tap.
If your launcher allows it (e.g. Nova), you can create shortcuts to app actions (app shortcuts) with a long press, or even a internal activities with the Activities widget. If your launcher doesn't include it, there are options like QuickShortcutMaker, or you can create your own launcher.
Organization and problem solving
You can create as many accesses as you want and group them by topic in folders. If you uninstall the browser you used to create them, the shortcuts will disappear. After updating your browser or restore backups, it's possible that some access is no longer there; first restart the device and, if it doesn't reappear, recreate it in seconds.
Those who alternate between mobile and computer can replicate the idea on the PC: in Chrome for desktop there is “Create shortcut…” to open sites as independent windows, keeping access consistency on all devices.
With these methods you will have your favorite websites just a tap away, with icons that visually integrate as apps, PWA options when available, and advanced shortcuts to files, settings, and actions, all without complications nor install unnecessary applications.
