What a shortcut is and why you might want one
A shortcut is a quick link to something you use often — a website, a document, a folder, or an app. Instead of hunting through menus or typing a web address each time, you tap or click the shortcut and land where you need to be. Shortcuts live on your home screen (on phones and tablets) or your desktop (on computers), so they are always visible and one tap away.
Shortcuts are useful when you want to reach something without opening your browser or file manager first. You might create a shortcut to a banking website you check daily, a shared folder your team uses, or a document you edit often. On a phone, a shortcut can even run a quick task — like turning on your flashlight or sending a text to a specific person — without opening the full app.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and Android, long-press the home screen, tap the plus or add button, and choose the app or website you want to shortcut to.
- On Windows, right-click your desktop, select "New," then "Shortcut," and paste the web address or file path you want to link to.
- On Mac, drag an app or website into a folder on your desktop, or use the Finder to create an alias of a file or folder.
- Web shortcuts (to websites) require the full web address, starting with https:// — copying it from your browser's address bar is the fastest way.
- Shortcuts to files and folders work only if the file or folder stays in the same location; moving it breaks the shortcut.
Adding a shortcut on iPhone
On iPhone, the home screen is where your shortcuts live. Long-press any empty space on your home screen — hold your finger down for a second or two until the screen enters edit mode and small icons appear in the corners. Tap the plus sign (usually in the top-left or top-right corner) to open the widget and shortcut menu.
Scroll down and tap "Shortcuts" to see your available apps and websites. Find the app or website you want to shortcut to, tap it, and then tap "Add Shortcut." The shortcut appears on your home screen when ready. You can drag it to reposition it or group it with other shortcuts in a folder.
If you want a shortcut to a website, open Safari, navigate to the site, tap the share button (the box with an arrow), scroll down, and tap "Add to Home Screen." Name the shortcut and tap "Add" — it now appears on your home screen as a web clip.
Adding a shortcut on Android
Android phones vary by manufacturer, but the process is similar. Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears. Look for an option like "Widgets," "Add," or "Add Widget." Tap it and search for "Shortcuts" in the list of available widgets.
Select the shortcut widget and choose what you want it to link to — an app, a contact, a website, or a setting. If you choose a website, paste the full web address (starting with https://). The shortcut appears on your home screen. You can resize it or move it by dragging.
For a web shortcut on Android, open Chrome or your default browser, navigate to the website, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Add to Home Screen." Name the shortcut and tap "Add." The website now appears as an icon on your home screen.
Adding a shortcut on Windows
On Windows, shortcuts to websites and files sit on your desktop. Right-click an empty area of your desktop and select "New" from the menu. A submenu appears — click "Shortcut."
A window opens asking for the location of the item. If you are creating a shortcut to a website, paste the full web address (starting with https://). If you are creating a shortcut to a file or folder on your computer, paste the file path — you can find this by opening File Explorer, right-clicking the file or folder, selecting "Copy as path," and pasting it into the shortcut window. Click "Next," give the shortcut a name, and click "Finish." The shortcut appears on your desktop.
You can also drag a file or folder directly onto your desktop while holding the right mouse button, then select "Create shortcuts here" from the menu that appears.
Adding a shortcut on Mac
On Mac, the equivalent of a shortcut is called an alias. Open Finder and navigate to the app, file, or folder you want to create a shortcut to. Right-click it and select "Make Alias." A new item appears with the same name plus the word "alias" — you can rename it if you want. Drag the alias to your desktop or to a folder where you want quick access to it.
For a web shortcut on Mac, open Safari, navigate to the website, and drag the small icon that appears to the left of the web address (in the address bar) onto your desktop. This creates a web clip. You can also use the File menu: go to File, select "Add Bookmark," choose "Desktop" as the location, and click "Add."
What to do if a shortcut stops working
Shortcuts to files and folders break when you move or delete the original item. If a shortcut no longer works, the file or folder it pointed to has likely been moved, renamed, or deleted. Check whether the original still exists in its original location. If it does, delete the shortcut and create a new one. If the original no longer exists, the shortcut cannot be repaired.
Web shortcuts rarely break unless the website itself goes offline. If a web shortcut does not work, try opening the website in your browser to confirm it is still running. If the website is down, wait and try again later. If the website has moved to a new address, create a new shortcut with the new address.
Organizing shortcuts so you can find them
As you add more shortcuts, your home screen or desktop can become cluttered. On phones, you can group shortcuts into folders by dragging one shortcut onto another — a folder appears and you can name it. On Windows and Mac, you can create folders on your desktop and drag shortcuts into them to keep things organized.
Name your shortcuts clearly so you know at a glance what they do. Avoid vague names like "Link" or "Site" — instead use "Banking App," "Team Folder," or "Project Tracker." This takes a few extra seconds when you create the shortcut but saves time when you are looking for it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a shortcut to a specific page within a website?
Yes. Copy the full web address of the page you want (not just the main website address) and use that when creating the shortcut. For example, if you want a shortcut to your email inbox, use the address of the inbox page, not the main login page.
What is the difference between a shortcut and a bookmark?
A bookmark lives inside your browser and is accessed through the browser's menu. A shortcut (or web clip) is an icon on your home screen or desktop that opens the website directly. Shortcuts are faster if you visit the site often because you do not have to open the browser first.
If I delete a shortcut, does it delete the original file or app?
No. Deleting a shortcut only removes the link — the original file, folder, or app remains untouched. You can safely delete shortcuts without worry.
Can I create a shortcut to a folder that is shared with me by someone else?
Yes, as long as you have access to the folder. Create the shortcut the same way you would for any other folder. The shortcut works as long as the shared folder remains accessible to you and stays in the same location.
Why does my shortcut to a file say "broken link" or "not found"?
The file or folder the shortcut points to has been moved, renamed, or deleted. Check whether the original still exists. If it does, move it back to its original location. If it does not exist anymore, delete the shortcut — it cannot be repaired.