Cellphone & Tablet (iOS): iOS - Home Screen Shortcut to Open a File

Summary

How to create a shortcut on iOS Devices (iPhone and iPad) on the home screen to open a saved file.

Body

Issue

You have a file downloaded on your iPhone or iPad that you want a shortcut for on your Home Screen.

Environment

iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad.

Resolution

1. Open one of the files that you are wanting to make a shortcut for and save it to your iPhone or iCloud. In the example below you will see this done via files attached in an Email.

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2. Click Share button on the top right, then click "Share File via…"

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3. Swipe up on the window that pops up and click "Save to Files.”

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4. Save to iCloud Drive (the first window that pops up). Additionally, you can select browse, and select "Save to iPhone". Files saved to iCloud will be downloaded to your device and accessible for offline use as well as making the file available for use if you ever move to another company owned iOS device.

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5. Once done, go to the Shortcuts App.

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6. Click "+" on top right of screen.

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7. Click “Add Action”.

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8. In the search bar type "Open File".

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9. Click on the blue "File" text and select the file you are wanting to create a shortcut for.

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10. Then click on the blue "Default App". Depending on the type of file you are creating a shortcut for, you may need to use a different application to open it in. If it is a PDF, use the "Files" option. For .docx, use "Word". For xlsx or other excel files, you can select "Excel", etc. In the example below, we are using a PDF using "Files" to open the document.

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11.Click on the arrow down button where it shows "Open File" on the top, and rename the shortcut to "Incident Response Checklist" or "Incident Response Plan" (depending on which file shortcut you are working on). Then click "Done" on your keyboard.

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12. Click on the down arrow on the top again and select "Add to Home Screen". Here you can customize the appearance of the shortcut if you want. You change the color and/or symbol shown on the shortcut. Once complete, click "Add" on the top right.

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13. You can also click the play button on the bottom right to test the shortcut. If setup correctly, it should open the file.

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14. The icon should then be added to the last page on the home screen of the iPhone. If you have any troubles opening the files, review the steps above and see if you missed anything. If you are still unable to figure it out, feel free to reach out to MIS for assistance.

Details

Details

Article ID: 12630
Created
Thu 5/2/24 5:15 PM
Modified
Fri 5/3/24 4:34 PM