I actually attempt to keep away from ever going into the cluttered app drawer. Whereas some gadgets allow you to set up your app drawer into folders or sections, and, in fact, Android helps you to use any third-party launcher you need (like this extremely customizable launcher) which additionally helps you to tweak the app drawer normally. General, I’ve a finite variety of apps I exploit, and I’ve a number of strategies to remain out of my app drawer fully and never having to return dwelling. This enables me to get to my favourite apps from any display screen, even when my telephone is off. Whether or not utilizing a sensible app that allows you to put app shortcuts proper in your notification shade, customizing lockscreen shortcuts (and even lockscreen widgets), or absolutely making the most of voice instructions (you’ll be able to sort sooner with voice instructions), I am going to present you how one can additionally extra shortly get to your favourite apps with out leaping round.
Maintain your most-used apps within the notification shade
Utilizing the sensible Tile Shortcuts app
I discovered a implausible app referred to as Tile Shortcuts (it is free so as to add three shortcuts, or $2.64 to unlock the total app and customise as much as 30 tiles). The app not solely helps you to place any app shortcut you need within the notification shade (together with your selection of icon, together with from icon packs) however it additionally helps you to add shortcuts to web sites, information, contact (by way of direct dial and so forth), and even shortcut folders.
Utilizing the app so as to add shortcuts on to your notification shade is simple when you obtain the app:
- Press the pink plus icon so as to add a brand new tile -> Decide the title sort.
- If selecting an app > choose the app you need from the listing.
- Within the subsequent display screen, you’ll be able to decide the icon, change the title, and select superior choices like if you need the shortcut to vibrate on press, or if you need the icon to be colourful (by default will probably be a white icon).
- When achieved, faucet the pink verify mark and go to the subsequent step.
Then so as to add your accomplished tile to the notification shade:
- Within the TIle Shortcuts app dwelling web page -> word the tile quantity of the tile you wish to add.
- Open your notification shade -> faucet the pencil button to edit your shade.
- Scroll to the underside of the listing of tiles you’ll be able to add.
- Discover the tile variety of the tile you wish to add -> like “Tile 7” and press the plus icon.
- Scroll again as much as customise the position of the brand new tile you simply added.
Your favourite apps are in your notification shade
Accessible from any display screen
Credit score: Brandon Miniman / MakeUseOf
And that is it! I added two rows of app shortcuts (together with one web site shortcut to MUO, in fact) to my notification shade, and now I can leap to my favourite apps (and web sites) simply by increasing the notification shade. And keep in mind: on most gadgets, you’ll be able to increase the notification shade simply by swiping down on the homescreen.
And keep in mind: on most gadgets, you’ll be able to increase the notification shade simply by swiping down on the homescreen.
Make the most of lockscreen shortcuts
Leap to your favourite app with out unlocking your telephone
Credit score: Brandon Miniman / MakeUseOf
Relying in your system, you’ll be able to customise two or extra shortcuts that dwell in your lockscreen that you may entry with out unlocking your telephone with a faucet and maintain gesture. I like to put my torch and pockets on the lockscreen. To customise your lockscreen, go to Settings -> Seek for “lockscreen shortcuts” and comply with the steps to arrange your shortcuts.
Use voice command
Simply open any app shortly
Credit score: Brandon Miniman / MakeUseOf
One other means you’ll be able to keep away from your app tray however nonetheless launch any app you need from any display screen is with voice instructions. You may invoke voice instructions within the traditional methods:
- Press and maintain the facility button.
- Say “Hey Google” (if it is arrange by going to the Google app -> Settings -> Gemini -> Discuss to Gemini hands-free)
- Say the app you wish to open, like “Open Instagram.”
- On Pixel, you’ll be able to invoke the voice assistant with a faucet and maintain of the navigation tablet.
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Open apps sooner
Keep away from your app tray
Credit score: Brandon Miniman / MakeUseOf
My app tray is a multitude. Some producers allow you to clear it up with folders and different organizational instruments, or you’ll be able to decide to make use of a third-party launcher, however for everybody else, you do not have to make use of your app tray for probably the most half when you do what I do and use the Tile Shortcuts app to place your most-used apps and hyperlinks instantly in your notification shade. Or, you’ll be able to make the most of lockscreen shortcuts to shortly leap to key apps, and naturally, voice instructions are at all times accessible to allow you to shortly open any app in your telephone with simply your voice.

