What a shortcut actually is
A shortcut is a quick way to reach something you use often without going through the normal steps. Instead of opening your email app, finding a folder, and clicking through to a contact, a shortcut might let you tap one icon and jump straight there. Shortcuts save you time by cutting out the middle steps.
The word "shortcut" works the same way on phones, tablets, and computers, but the way you create one changes depending on what device you use and what you are trying to reach. A shortcut might point to a website, a document, an app, a contact, or even a series of actions your device can do automatically.
Key Takeaways
- A shortcut is an icon or link that takes you directly to something you use often, skipping the normal steps to get there.
- On iPhones and iPads, the Shortcuts app lets you create custom shortcuts that can run multiple actions at once, while home screen shortcuts are simpler one-tap links.
- On Android phones, you can add app shortcuts to your home screen or use the Google Assistant to create voice shortcuts.
- On Windows and Mac computers, right-clicking a file or website and selecting "Create shortcut" is the fastest method.
- The steps differ by device, so look for "shortcut," "create shortcut," or "add to home screen" in your device's menu.
Creating shortcuts on an iPhone or iPad
iPhones and iPads have two different types of shortcuts. The simpler kind is a home screen shortcut, which is just an icon that opens an app, website, or contact. The more powerful kind uses the Shortcuts app, which can chain multiple actions together — for example, a shortcut that texts your partner your location, opens a map, and starts navigation all at once.
To add a straightforward home screen shortcut on an iPhone or iPad, open the app or website you want to shortcut to, tap the Share button (usually at the bottom or top of the screen), scroll down, and select "Add to Home Screen." Give it a name and tap Add. The icon will appear on your home screen.
To create a more complex shortcut using the Shortcuts app, open the app, tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut, then search for and add actions from the menu. You can chain actions together — for instance, "Send Message" followed by "Open Maps." Once you finish, tap Done and give your shortcut a name. You can then add it to your home screen or run it from within the Shortcuts app itself.
Creating shortcuts on an Android phone
Android phones let you add app shortcuts to your home screen, and some phones also support Google Assistant shortcuts that you can trigger by voice. The method depends on which Android phone you have, because different manufacturers customize their systems slightly differently.
To add an app shortcut on most Android phones, long-press an empty area of your home screen, then tap "Widgets" or "Add Widget." Find the app you want, long-press it, and drag it to your home screen. Some phones instead let you long-press the app itself in your app drawer and select "Add to Home Screen."
If your phone has Google Assistant, you can create voice shortcuts by opening the Google Assistant app, tapping your profile picture, going to Settings, then Shortcuts. Tap the plus sign and choose an action — like opening a specific contact or playing a playlist. Give it a voice command phrase, and you can then trigger it by saying "Hey Google" followed by your phrase.
Creating shortcuts on Windows
Windows lets you create shortcuts to files, folders, and websites. The fastest way is to right-click the thing you want to shortcut to, select "Create shortcut" or "Send to," then choose "Desktop" or another location. A new icon will appear in that location.
If "Create shortcut" does not appear in the menu, you can drag the file or folder while holding the Alt key, which creates a shortcut instead of moving the original. For websites, open the page in your browser, click the address bar, and drag the website icon to your desktop or a folder.
You can also create a shortcut to a website by right-clicking the address bar, selecting "Create shortcut," naming it, and choosing where to save it. Once created, you can rename the shortcut, change its icon, or move it to any folder or your desktop.
Creating shortcuts on a Mac
Macs do not use the word "shortcut" the same way — what Windows calls a shortcut, Mac calls an "alias." To create an alias on a Mac, right-click the file or folder you want to shortcut to, select "Make Alias," and a new icon with the word "alias" in its name will appear in the same location. You can then drag this alias anywhere you want.
For websites, open the page in your browser, click and drag the website icon (usually to the left of the address bar) to your desktop or a folder. This creates a clickable link to that website. You can also right-click the address bar and select "Copy" to paste the link into a document or folder.
Why shortcuts matter and when to use them
Shortcuts save time when you use the same app, website, or action repeatedly. If you check a specific email folder every morning, a shortcut gets you there in one tap instead of four. If you always call the same person, a shortcut dial button saves you from scrolling through contacts.
Shortcuts also help you organize your device. Instead of hunting through nested folders, you can put the things you use most on your home screen or desktop where you can see them. On phones, shortcuts can also run automations — like turning on Wi-Fi and opening a work app when you arrive at your office — which saves you from doing the same steps manually every day.
The trade-off is that too many shortcuts clutter your screen and make it harder to find things. Most people benefit from putting their five to ten most-used apps or actions on their home screen, then keeping less-used things in folders or the app drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a shortcut to a specific part of an app, like a folder in my email?
On iPhones and iPads with the Shortcuts app, yes — you can create a shortcut that opens your email app directly to a specific folder. On Android, it depends on the app; Gmail and some others support this, but many do not. On computers, you can usually only shortcut to the app itself, not a specific location inside it.
What is the difference between a shortcut and a bookmark?
A bookmark is saved inside a browser and only works for websites. A shortcut is a separate icon on your device that can point to apps, files, websites, or actions. Shortcuts are faster to reach because they sit on your home screen or desktop instead of inside a menu.
If I delete a shortcut, does it delete the original file or app?
No. Deleting a shortcut only removes the quick link — the original file, app, or website stays where it is. This is why shortcuts are safe to create and delete without worry.
Can I rename a shortcut after I create it?
Yes. On phones, long-press the shortcut icon and select "Rename" or "Edit." On computers, right-click the shortcut and select "Rename." You can change the name to anything you want.
Why would I use a shortcut instead of just pinning an app to my home screen?
Pinning puts the whole app on your screen. A shortcut can take you to a specific place inside an app, or run multiple actions at once. Shortcuts also take up less space and let you organize your screen more precisely.