I’ve been replacing my home screen apps with these tools; it’s changed how I use my phone

I’ve been replacing my home screen apps with these tools; it’s changed how I use my phone

I’ve been replacing my home screen apps with these tools; it’s changed how I use my phone

https://www.androidpolice.com/ive-been-replacing-my-home-screen-apps-with-these-tools/

Publish Date: 2026-07-02 07:00:00

Source Domain: www.androidpolice.com

I’ve always loved how customizable Android lets you be over your home screen, even if some of the tools are buried or can be overwhelming.

Some of my Android Police colleagues like to fix their Android phone home screen mess, or redesign their home screen around moments instead of apps.

I like to go the opposite way: maximum clutter, maximum mess, and some method in the madness.

I’ve been achieving this more and more over the years, as I slowly replace apps on my phone with another kind of tool.

It began as a little function I played around with when I first started using Android as a tech reporter, but when I discovered how useful it can be in my day-to-day life, it quickly caught on.

I’m talking about home screen shortcuts; icons which can take me to web pages or Google Drive documents.

Learning how to use these well has helped me avoid apps and simplify processes, changing how I use my phone for work or pleasure.

Related

How I decluttered my Android home screen — one app at a time

Less chaos, more clarity



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