How to Add PDF Shortcut to Home Screen on Android
1. Add PDF Shortcut on Samsung
If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, you are in luck – the preinstalled My Files app offers an option to add files like PDFs, images, videos, etc., to the home screen. The “Add to Home screen” option disappears when multiple items are selected.
2. Add Shortcut Using Google Drive
Google Drive is pre-installed on almost all Android phones, so you don’t have to download another app to use this method. That’s it. The PDF shortcut will be added to your home screen. You can move it to another home screen as you move other icons.
3. Use Shortcut Maker Apps
When it comes to Android, you will find dedicated apps for everything, including shortcut-making apps that are small in size (usually 1-3 MB). Use them to create shortcuts for PDFs, images, videos, MP3s, etc. We are showing you how to do this using an app called Shorty. Other shortcut maker apps that you can try include Shortcut Creator and Shortcut Maker.
4. Add Shortcut Using a File Explorer App
You can install a third-party file manager app like Total Commander, Solid Explorer, or Cx File Explorer, that supports adding file shortcuts to the home screen. Follow the below steps to add a PDF shortcut to the home screen using Total Commander. Tip: the steps for Solid Explorer and Cx File Explorer are similar. Select “Create shortcut” (in Solid Explorer) and “Settings-> Add to home screen” (in Cx File Explorer) from the context menu of the PDF. If you cannot add a shortcut using the above steps on Xiaomi devices, here’s a workaround. First, touch and hold the app icon of the third-party file manager app that you installed. Select “App info” and go to “Permissions” or “Other permissions.” Check the box next to “Home screen shortcuts,” then try adding the shortcut to the PDF file again.
How to Add PDF Shortcut to Home Screen on iPhone
1. Using “Open File Action” in the Shortcuts App
That’s it. The shortcut should show up on the home screen. Tap on it to open the PDF.
2. Using “Get File Action” in the Shortcuts App
If the above method doesn’t work, there’s another way to create PDF shortcuts on the home screen. In this method, you will move the PDF to the Shortcuts folder on iCloud Drive first, then create a shortcut. Make sure the PDF has a simple name, as you will have to use it in the next steps. If you want to change the name of the file, touch and hold the file and select “Rename” before you move the file.
Edit PDFs Like a Pro
Looking for other tips to manipulate PDFs? Learn how to compress PDF files on mobile and PC and how to edit PDF files using popular desktop and online tools.
