Question shortcuts/links to files on home screen

geekie

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Jun 28, 2025
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The easiest things seem to be the hardest to solve. All I want to do is create a folder on the home screen with important documents or photos. I cannot find any answers. The closest I've seen is create a subfolder, press three dots and select add to homescreen. My version (android 14) does not have that option.
 
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The easiest things seem to be the hardest to solve. All I want to do is create a folder on the home screen with important documents or photos. I cannot find any answers. The closest I've seen is create a subfolder, press three dots and select add to homescreen. My version (android 14) does not have that option.
In Android v14 UI 6.0 > in 'My Files' > 'Internal storage' > create & name the folder you want to put your doc's & photos into (by tapping the [•••] up in the upper right corner of your screen view, by the search symbol), then tap 'Create folder' > then move your doc's & photos into the folder > then, while viewing your 'My Files' > 'Internal storage'.... long press on the folder you created & named, and that you want to move to your Home screen > then down at the bottom right corner (of your screen view), tap the [••• More] symbol > then 'Add to Home screen'.

. . That is, if your version has the UI 6.0 or similar user interface. Hope that helps 😉
 
In Android v14 UI 6.0 > in 'My Files' > 'Internal storage' > create & name the folder you want to put your doc's & photos into (by tapping the [•••] up in the upper right corner of your screen view, by the search symbol), then tap 'Create folder' > then move your doc's & photos into the folder > then, while viewing your 'My Files' > 'Internal storage'.... long press on the folder you created & named, and that you want to move to your Home screen > then down at the bottom right corner (of your screen view), tap the [••• More] symbol > then 'Add to Home screen'.

. . That is, if your version has the UI 6.0 or similar user interface. Hope that helps 😉
Yeah, sorry but been through this several times. These are my options:

1751317225953.png
 
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Maybe I missed it but what device do you have?

What file manager are you using?

If you're using Files by Google, Google's file manager application, I found these directions from just a year ago with an instructional video that might help.

To create a new folder within internal storage using the Files by Google app, open the app, navigate to the desired location in Internal Storage, tap the "+" icon, enter the folder name, and then tap "Create". [1, 2]
Steps:

  1. Open Files by Google: Launch the app on your Android device. [1, 1, 2, 2]
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage: Find and select "Internal Storage". [1, 1, 2, 2, 3]
  3. Locate Desired Folder: Navigate to the folder where you want to create the new folder. [1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 4]
  4. Tap the "+" icon: This will open a new folder creation window. [1, 1, 2, 2]
  5. Enter Folder Name: Type in the desired name for your new folder. [1, 1, 2, 2]
  6. Tap "Create": This will create the new folder in the specified location. [1, 1, 2, 2]
This video demonstrates how to create a folder in Google Drive on your phone:


It looks like you pressed and held the folder in order to select it, the Plus (+) symbol disappears when you do this. I also noticed that the video is for Google Drive, so the instructions may not be as helpful I was I was hoping they would be. Let us know if this helps.
 
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Is this a tablet?
On my phones with Android 15 and 16 I can add to home screen from my file app
8c27a492105067cb5c823bdc206629c1.jpg
 
The stock Files by Google app doesn't have an option to add a folder/file shortcut on the homescreen, as far as I can tell. You can install a 3rd party file manager like Total Commander (venerable, versatile, great dev support, free and ad-free), which does have a widget that can be used as a folder or file shortcut. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander&hl=en
Thanks for the tip. It works on my samsung phone but I have a generic android tablet and when I attempt it, it says "launcher too old". I tried to go to their forum page but the link does not work.
 

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