How do I create a group shortcut?

Creating a group shortcut on your device allows you to quickly access a group of apps, contacts, or settings. Group shortcuts are a useful way to organize and launch related items together instead of individually.

What is a group shortcut?

A group shortcut combines multiple apps, contacts, settings, or phone functions into one shortcut icon or button. Tapping that shortcut will then open or activate all of those items at once. For example, you could create a shortcut to open your most frequently used social media apps together in one tap instead of opening them individually.

Group shortcuts help streamline your experience by reducing the number of taps needed to access frequently used features on your device. They also provide quick access to commonly used app combinations that you want to launch or use together. Creating effective group shortcuts can save you time and effort.

Benefits of using group shortcuts

Here are some of the benefits of using group shortcuts on your device:

• Saves time – Access a group of apps or settings instantly instead of individually.
• Reduces effort – No need to search for and open each app/setting separately.
• Improves organization – Related items can be combined logically.
• Optimizes your screen – Remove extra home screen icons by consolidating into one shortcut.
• Boosts productivity – Quickly activate frequently used app combinations.
• Easy to use – Launch shortcuts with one tap from your home screen.

Types of group shortcuts

There are a few different types of group shortcuts you can create, depending on your needs:

App shortcuts

App shortcuts allow you to launch a group of apps together in one tap. For instance, you could make a “Social Media” shortcut to open Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at the same time.

Contact shortcuts

Contact shortcuts let you quickly access your favorite or most common contacts. You could make a “Family” shortcut to call up your most used family member contacts.

Settings shortcuts

Settings shortcuts enable quick access to frequently used setting combinations. An example would be a “Battery Saver” shortcut to activate Airplane Mode, reduce screen brightness, and turn off Bluetooth.

Mixed shortcuts

Mixed shortcuts combine different types of items like apps, contacts, and settings. You could create a “Commute” shortcut to launch your music app, bring up driving directions, and turn on Bluetooth for your car.

How to create an app shortcut

Here are the basic steps to create a group app shortcut on an iPhone or Android device:

On iPhone

1. Go to your device’s home screen.
2. Find the apps you want to combine and tap and hold on one of the app icons.
3. When they begin shaking, tap the other apps you want to add to the shortcut.
4. Once you’ve selected all the apps, release your finger.
5. Name the shortcut at the top of the screen.
6. Tap “Add” and your new shortcut will appear on your home screen.

On Android

1. Long press on an empty area of your home screen.
2. Tap on “Shortcuts” or “Widgets” depending on your Android version.
3. Look for “Activities” or “Shortcut” and select it.
4. Tap the apps you want to include in the shortcut.
5. Tap “Add” or “Next” and name the shortcut.
6. The shortcut will now appear on your home screen. Tap it to open the selected apps.

How to create a contacts shortcut

Follow these steps to quickly generate a shortcut to your favorite or most used contacts on Android and iPhone:

On iPhone

1. Open the Phone app and tap on the “Groups” tab.
2. Tap the plus icon to create a new group.
3. Select the contacts you want to include, then tap “Continue.”
4. Name the group then tap “Done” to create it.
5. Go to your home screen and find the new group name under the Groups tab.
6. Tap and hold the group name until the icons shake.
7. Release your finger and the shortcut will appear on your home screen.

On Android

1. Open the Contacts app and tap the menu icon.
2. Select “Groups” and then tap the plus icon.
3. Choose contacts to add to the group and tap “OK.”
4. Name the group and tap “Done.”
5. Go back to your home screen and press and hold in an empty area.
6. Tap Shortcuts/Widgets and select “Activities” or “Shortcut.”
7. Tap the Contacts group you created.
8. Tap “Add” or “Next” and the shortcut will be added to your home screen.

How to create a settings shortcut

Follow these instructions to create a group shortcut for commonly used device settings and options:

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings and navigate to the settings you want to include in your shortcut.
2. Tap and hold on the setting until a menu pops up.
3. Tap “Add to Home Screen” and you’ll be taken to a edit screen.
4. Name the shortcut and select an icon image.
5. Tap “Add” and the shortcut will appear on your home screen.

On Android

1. Go to your device’s Settings screen.
2. Tap the menu icon and select “Add shortcut.”
3. Check the settings you want to add to the shortcut.
4. Tap “Add” and name the shortcut.
5. Go back to your home screen and press and hold in an empty area.
6. Tap Shortcuts/Widgets and select “Activities” or “Shortcut.”
7. Tap the Settings shortcut you created.
8. Tap “Add” or “Next” and the shortcut will be added to your home screen.

How to create a mixed shortcut

To create a shortcut with a mix of apps, contacts, and settings, combine the appropriate steps above:

1. Build an app shortcut following the app shortcut instructions.
2. Add settings shortcuts by navigating to the settings and adding them to your home screen.
3. Add contacts by making a contacts group shortcut using the contacts shortcut steps.
4. Once you have created all the individual shortcuts, press and hold on an empty area of your home screen.
5. When the icons begin to shake or the menu appears, tap all the individual shortcuts you want to combine.
6. Release your finger and name the final mixed shortcut.
7. Your finished mixed shortcut will now appear on your home screen.

Tips for effective group shortcuts

Follow these tips to create the most useful and convenient group shortcuts:

• Include frequently used apps, contacts, and settings to save maximum time.
• Avoid cluttering your home screen by being selective and consolidating only highly useful items.
• Use clear descriptive names so you remember what each shortcut does.
• Organize related items, like social media apps or driving shortcuts.
• Put shortcuts on your main home screen for quickest access.
• Update shortcuts over time as your needs change.
• Delete or rearrange less commonly used shortcuts.
• Use folder icons or images to help identify each shortcut type.

Customizing your shortcuts

You can further customize your group shortcuts with these options:

• Reorder shortcuts by pressing and dragging them into your preferred positions.
• Change shortcut names by tapping into the name field and typing a new one.
• Add or remove items from an existing shortcut by pressing, holding, and modifying.
• Change shortcut icon images and colors by tapping the icon then selecting a new one.
• Nest shortcuts within folders by dragging and dropping one shortcut onto another.
• Resize widget shortcuts by pressing and holding, then dragging the corners.

Conclusion

Group shortcuts give you an easy way to access frequently used apps, contacts, and settings on your mobile device. Creating effective shortcuts takes just a few steps and allows you to consolidate and organize related features for quick, convenient use. Start streamlining your mobile experience today by setting up a few handy group shortcuts.