How to Replace Apps with Android Home Screen Shortcuts

The Android home screen is typically filled with app icons. However, Tom Bedford, a journalist for Android Police, questions this norm. Instead of app icons, Bedford practices a method of arranging shortcuts to web pages on his home screen. This approach, as reported, holds the potential to fundamentally change how smartphones are used.

Background on Shortcut Usage

According to Bedford, this habit dates back to when he first started using Android as a technology journalist. What began as a playful experiment eventually became an indispensable tool in his daily work.

Creating a shortcut to a web page on the home screen is remarkably simple. By selecting “Add to Home screen” from the browser menu, you can generate an icon for any URL. Tapping this icon takes you directly to the corresponding page in Chrome.

The Convenience of Shortcuts Over Apps

A natural question arises: why not just use apps? Bedford clearly explains his reasoning. Apps often require navigating through home screens or menus to reach the desired information, whereas shortcuts enable direct access to specific pages, reducing the number of taps needed.

As an example, Bedford mentions his freelance work. He has created shortcuts to the home pages of his client media outlets and arranged them on his home screen. This setup allows him to quickly check the latest articles on each site, ensuring he doesn’t miss significant news.

This method also proves effective for browsing news sites. By setting up shortcuts to multiple outlets on the home screen, one can gather information faster than by opening individual apps.

Redefining the Home Screen

The customizability of the Android home screen has long been one of its strengths. Some users prefer a minimalist approach, organizing their home screen with only essential icons. Others employ “moment-based” designs, switching displays depending on the time of day or situation.

In contrast, Bedford takes the opposite approach. He maximizes the amount of information on his home screen, finding a unique order within what appears to be chaos. For him, shortcuts are a primary tool in achieving this “maximum clutter” approach.

This method is not just a matter of personal preference. It also offers practical benefits, such as reducing the number of installed apps and saving storage space. Although this feature existed long before the rise of web apps and PWAs (Progressive Web Apps), its true value is being revisited and appreciated anew.

Practical Applications

The use of shortcuts is not limited to news sites. They can also be created for specific files in Google Docs or Google Drive, links to frequently accessed dashboards or management interfaces, and more.

For instance, if meeting materials are consistently stored in the same Google Drive folder, creating a shortcut to that folder on the home screen can save the time spent opening the app and navigating through folders.

Similarly, shortcuts to frequently visited shopping categories or search query result pages can be highly practical. These use cases leverage the flexibility of browsers in ways that are difficult to achieve with apps.

A Perspective on the App Ecosystem

The use of home screen shortcuts can be seen as a critique of the mobile app ecosystem. Many apps are designed to maximize push notifications and user engagement, not necessarily to provide fast access to information.

In contrast, shortcuts aim to lead users to the information they need via the shortest route possible. This simplicity serves as a counter to the bloated nature of some apps.

Bedford’s approach seeks to transform the Android home screen from an “application launcher” into an “information gateway.” He describes this change as having “revolutionized the way I use my smartphone in daily life.”

Room for Expansion

The potential of home screen shortcuts continues to grow. For example, by utilizing URL schemes, users can directly access specific app functions. Additionally, combining shortcuts with automation apps, which have gained attention in recent years, could enable even more advanced workflows.

This approach, which capitalizes on Android’s customizability, optimizes access to necessary information while eliminating the hassle of searching and installing apps. It is a method worth considering, especially for business users and those focused on information gathering.

For readers interested in home screen customization, also check out Google’s New Home Speaker: Worse Sound Quality Than 6-Year-Old Nest Audio and LitPlayer: SMB/Jellyfin-Compatible Android Video Player for more insights on Android app options.

Editorial Opinion

This article offers an intriguing counterpoint to the app-heavy mobile experience. In the short term, using home screen shortcuts can streamline the browsing of news and work-related sites, significantly reducing the number of taps required. For business users who frequently rely on multiple web services, this approach is a cost-free solution with immediate benefits.

From a long-term perspective, this trend prompts a reevaluation of the relationship between native apps and the web. As PWAs continue to gain traction, the line between what can only be achieved via apps and what is sufficient through the web may become clearer. This approach aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to accelerate mobile web technologies and could influence the future evolution of the Android platform.

The editorial team believes that the balance between the convenience of app ecosystems and the lightweight nature of the web is at stake. While not every user needs to adopt this method, reconsidering how we use smartphones could be a valuable exercise. App developers, too, should seriously consider why some users opt for shortcuts over apps.

References

• Android Police — Published on 2026-07-02T11:00:10.000Z