Guide for Creating a Home Screen Shortcut for a Webpage on Android Devices When the Option is Inaccessible
In the digital age, having quick access to your favourite websites is essential. However, not all Android devices and browsers offer the standard option to add a web page as a home screen shortcut. This article provides a solution to that problem, offering steps to create a web page shortcut on your Android home screen, even if the native option isn't available.
Firstly, you can use a third-party app like Shortcut Maker to create shortcuts for websites. This app, available on Google Play, allows you to bypass the lack of native browser functionality and create shortcuts for your favourite websites [5].
Alternatively, some browsers enable users to manually input a custom URL to create shortcuts. For instance, in certain browsers, you can select "Enter custom web address," then input the desired website URL to place a shortcut on the home screen [1].
If your browser supports it, navigating to the website, disabling internet connection, refreshing the page, and selecting "Add to Home screen" from the browser menu will create a shortcut for that website on your home screen [6].
It's worth noting that some websites only support Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and do not offer a regular shortcut option. In such cases, the shortcut will behave like a native app, appearing in the app drawer and offering an app-like experience [4].
Customising the name of the shortcut is optional, and confirming the addition of the shortcut is necessary after customisation by tapping "Add to Home screen" again [2]. After adding the shortcut, internet connection can be reestablished to access the shortcut like a regular one [7].
This article has been verified by the website's Tech Team, ensuring the steps provided are accurate and effective [3]. The article was last updated on August 10, 2025 [8]. The website, being a "wiki," is co-written by multiple authors, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive approach to the information provided [9].
In conclusion, whether you're dealing with a browser that lacks the standard shortcut option or a website that only supports PWAs, these methods provide a workaround by either leveraging a dedicated app or browser features that allow custom shortcuts. Adding a web page as a home screen shortcut on Android can be useful when standard options are not available.
Here are two sentences that follow from the given text and contain the given words:
- To create a shortcut for your smartphone's home screen, you can use a gadget like Shortcut Maker, a third-party app, which allows you to bypass the lack of native browser functionality and create shortcuts for your favourite websites.
- In some instances, you might find it easier to manually input a custom URL in your browser and create a shortcut, especially if you own a smartphone with a browser that supports this feature.