How do I Create a Shortcut on the Home Screen from a File on the SD Card?

[russkari]

Hi,
I have a file (it's an HTML file) on my SD card that I want to copy to the home screen, or make a shortcut to it on the home screen. How do I do this? When I long-press on the home screen, I get options to add apps, widgets or folders, but not individual files. I tried using Astro File Manager to accomplish this as well as Linda File Manager.

How can I copy a file from the SD card to the home screen, or create a shortcut to it on the home screen?

Thank you in advance,
-Russ

 

[conanheath]

Search File Manager by Rythem Software in app store. I have paid version but I think free version is same. It has a widget you can use to bring any file or folder to home screen. I haven't actually tried HTML files but it has worked with all other files and folders I have tried.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[russkari]

conanheath,

I downloaded the File Manager and I am able to browse to the file. Now what are the steps to create the shortcut?

-Russ

 

[conanheath]

Hold down on home screen like you would add an icon and go to widgets. Look for file manager widget and place on home screen. It will then take you to file manager where you can locate your file. Once located, select it with checkmark and at top select create. Should create the shortcut on home screen and open directly. You can't change the icon, but it's as close to desktop shortcut as I've found Good luck.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[russkari]

conanheath,

Thank you, it worked like a charm. I appreciate your help!

-Russ

 

[Mindcontrol]

That helped me too. Thanks a bunch!

 

[ritapat]

Hello,
I followed your direction with File Manager as well. When I navigate to the file I would like to create the shortcut for there isn't an option for check marking it. Any suggestion on what I might be missing? Thanks for the help!

 

[conanheath]

Did you use the file manager widget or just navigate to the file? You have to place the widget on home screen and then locate file. Check mark file and select create at top of screen.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[farptl]

Great! This worked for me. Thank you very much.

 

[ldhrelics]

This doesn't seem to work for files on the SD Card. Any ideas? Never mind. I was trying to use Astro File Maneger. It works great with File Manager Pro from Rythem Software. Thanks for the tip. This File Manager is well worth the $1.99.

 

[trd 4rnr]

You learn something new every day - Thanks !
And I was able to change the Icon - since I use Nova Launcher.

Hold down on home screen like you would add an icon and go to widgets. Look for file manager widget and place on home screen. It will then take you to file manager where you can locate your file. Once located, select it with checkmark and at top select create. Should create the shortcut on home screen and open directly. You can't change the icon, but it's as close to desktop shortcut as I've found Good luck.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[koyot3]

hello conanheath

ive tried this and it creates new folders/directories but i cant seem to find anything that will allow me to make shortcut. i constantly download and files for work and navigating through my system files is just a pain. i basically want to make a short cut of the downloads folder and place said shortcut on my home screen. ive followed your instructions and so far they were good, but i didnt get any options for creating an actual shortcut.

please advise.

thanks

Did you use the file manager widget or just navigate to the file? You have to place the widget on home screen and then locate file. Check mark file and select create at top of screen.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[conanheath]

hello conanheath

ive tried this and it creates new folders/directories but i cant seem to find anything that will allow me to make shortcut. i constantly download and files for work and navigating through my system files is just a pain. i basically want to make a short cut of the downloads folder and place said shortcut on my home screen. ive followed your instructions and so far they were good, but i didnt get any options for creating an actual shortcut.

please advise.

thanks

Did you go to widgets to create shortcut? In your widgets on any screen you should find one for film manager. Place it on home screen and you will be taken to file manager. From there, find file and select then hit create at top of screen. Should place any file or folder on screen.

ATT N3

 

[GuccizBud]

Hi,
I have a file (it's an HTML file) on my SD card that I want to copy to the home screen, or make a shortcut to it on the home screen. How do I do this?

Root Manager, and it's just as simple as can be. Specifically, after you navigate to the folder containing the file you want to create a homescreen shortcut for, it's 2 taps :

 •  long-press the file in question
 •  on the pop-up menu that appears, choose Create shortcut
  which, as of this writing, appears second from the bottom
  on the 17-item pop-up list

Done, and it works on literally any file you point to, including folders ( tapping a homescreen folder shortcut causes Root Manager to open to the contents of that folder ).

The only thing I'm uncertain of is whether the fact of not being rooted can interfere with the way Root Manager handles shortcuts. Certainly you won't have access to the root folders ( i.e. anything above /storage/emulated/0 on the Note®Ⅱ) but you don't desire that anyway… but what I'm unsure of is whether homescreen shortcuts to anything can be created at any time without Android requesting root permission at any point. I don't think you'll have any trouble—logically I can't see a reason why root permissions would be involved in any way—but the keyword there is think and hopefully someone with an unrooted device will confirm that both file and folder homescreen shortcuts are possible with the ( free ) trial version of Root Manager.