App shortcuts provide an easy way to access your favorite websites right from your smartphone's home screen.
Instead of navigating through bookmarks or typing in URLs, you can create shortcuts that look like app icons and open the desired webpages in a single tap.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of creating app shortcuts for URLs on both iOS and Android devices.
1. Creating an App Shortcut on iOS (iPhone and iPad)
For iOS users, creating a URL shortcut is simple and straightforward, and you don't need any additional apps.
Follow these steps to create a shortcut using the Safari browser:
a. Open Safari and navigate to the desired website.
b. Tap the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward) at the bottom of the screen.
c. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen."
d. Edit the name of the shortcut to your liking and tap "Add" in the top-right corner.
The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with the website's favicon as the icon. If the website doesn't have a favicon, a default icon will be used.
2. Creating an App Shortcut on Android
There are multiple options for creating a URL shortcut on Android. You can either use the built-in option in Google Chrome or download a third-party app.
Using Google Chrome:
a. Open the Chrome browser and navigate to the desired URL.
b. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
c. Select "Add to Home screen." d. Edit the name of the shortcut and tap "Add."
The shortcut will appear on your home screen with the website's favicon as the icon.
Using the URL Shortcut app:
One popular app for creating URL shortcuts on Android is "URL Shortcut." To use this app, follow these steps:
a. Install the "URL Shortcut" app from the Google Play Store.
b. Open the app and enter the desired URL and a name for the shortcut.
c. Choose an icon for the shortcut (you can use the website's favicon, a custom image, or a built-in icon).
d. Tap "Create Shortcut."
The shortcut will now appear on your home screen with the selected icon.
Conclusion:
Creating app shortcuts for URLs is a convenient way to access your favorite websites quickly and easily.
With just a few taps, you can set up shortcuts on your iOS or Android device's home screen, making your browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable.
Keep in mind that these shortcuts are not native apps; they simply open the specified website in your device's web browser when tapped.
Resources:
Apple Support - Add a website to your iPhone or iPad Home Screen: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/add-a-website-to-your-iphone-home-screen-iphbaf4db6f7/ios
Google Chrome Help - Add to Home Screen: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/9658361
URL Shortcut on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.url.app.shortcut
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