Spotify Introduces Home Screen Shortcuts on Android

Spotify has added a feature that allows Android users to create home screen Shortcuts for any artist or playlist. This change simplifies access to music by enabling users to open an artist's page or start playback directly from their home screen.

Feature Details and Access

To create a Shortcut on Android, users should open Spotify, start playing an artist or playlist, exit to their home screen, and long-press the Spotify icon. This reveals a new Shortcut, which can be dragged to the home screen. Previously, albums could be added, but the latest update focuses solely on artists and playlists. The traditional "Add to home screen" option is no longer available, making this play-once approach the current method.

Platform Comparison and Benefits

These Shortcuts provide various advantages: bypassing Spotify's algorithmic home interface and avoiding the limited favorites widget. On Android 16 QPR2, they can even complement the home screen's color and shape design. Although Apple offers a comparable feature on iOS, it lacks the seamless integration found on Android. iOS users must use the Shortcuts app to manually create a similar effect, which is more cumbersome.

Update: 17 Dec 2025