How to create quick Android shortcuts to any setting

Down the years Android has gradually improved access to its all-seeing all-doing Settings app, though there are still times when you'll find yourself lost amongst its many menus and option panels. If you want to speed the process up, on anything from a Galaxy S4 to a Nexus 6, there is a way
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                          Create a whole screen of settings shortcuts if you want. / © trickszzone

By creating widgets from the Settings menus, you can link to any screen of your choice — pick the one that you delve into most often, and it can be right there on your Nexus 5 home screen (or whichever device you're using). It's a useful alternative for options not already available in the notification drawer.

These instructions apply to the latest version of Android Lollipop but the process is similar on older versions and modded editions from the likes of Samsung, HTC and LG.

Creating widgets

Tap and hold on a blank area of any home screen to bring up the Widgets option. Tap this to see all of the widgets currently available on your device, based on the apps you've got installed. As the Settings widgets are built into Android itself, it doesn't matter which apps you're currently using.

Most menus and some individual options are covered. / © trickszzone

Scroll right until you reach the Settings shortcut — tap and hold and drag the icon to the home screen of your choice. With that done, a new list appears, enabling you to choose which menu pops up when you tap the shortcut. All the main menus are available plus some specific options (like Battery Saver).

There's nothing to stop you filling up a screen with Settings shortcuts if you want to, but you'll probably want to pick out one or two. Of particular note is the Notification log, because this isn't available anywhere else — it shows previous notifications that you've dismissed in case you want to review them.