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Quick Launch 4+
Open apps & links from widgets
Sindre Sorhus
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- £3.00
Screenshots
Description
NOTE: After updating to the latest version, because of a iOS bug, you have may have to restart your device, and you may even have to remove the widgets and re-add them.
Open websites, launch apps, and run shortcuts directly from your Lock Screen.
For example, open google.com, launch TikTok, or run a shortcut to play a random music playlist.
You can add unlimited widgets, with different widgets for each Lock Screen configuration.
There are many icon options; either a website's icon, an existing app icon, 6000+ symbols, emoji, acronym, or a custom image.
The app also includes a spacer widget that gives you more control over widget alignment.
■ Support
You can contact me through the feedback button in the app.
What’s New
Version 1.6.0
- The app now requires iOS 18.
Ratings and Reviews
DOES work as intended
UPDATE: After detailed explanation of my original issue from the developer, updated the rating; seems increasingly restrictive iOS limitations strike again. Understandable for security purposes, but maybe Apple should implement ability to apply for exceptions after a slightly more strict app review process for apps that clearly add improved UX for iOS users. But I suppose it’s easier for them to simply not do that and just “Sherlock” the functionality of this app for their next iOS version. And dw Sindre I’m on your side, and happy to fund you.
As an unrelated side note: I appreciate you forcing the js community to take ESM more seriously, would’ve been a decade or more before we saw any serious changes in the ecosystem without the actions you took. Apologies if the original review seemed too critical. Understand that the “free” thing is an easy oversight, nonetheless would be wise to change text content soon before someone does decide to pursue the whole “false advertisement” thing more seriously through more official channels.
Keep up the good work 🙏🏽
ORIGINAL: I got duped by your website of the ‘favorites widget’, linking to a site of things you could do with it. Turns out it was only for quick calls. And in the app it says “check out other FREE” apps by me - so checked out this app, only to find out it’s not free, so that was a categorical lie. Anyway, I used the links and instructions provided by you yourself. Only to find out that it didn’t work. All I wanted to do was open the Auto-Lock in settings page. Added the link, hit test. Nothing happens at all. And tried to run it by tapping in the list, by using the option to do so from the settings. Again nothing happened.
The link I’m using is
prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=AUTOLOCK
No idea why you’d advertise options that don’t work, and advertise features for separate apps. I don’t need the favourites widget at all. I was duped.
Anyways, this was so simple to implement manually with my own shortcut by adding that url as the URL and then using the Open URLs action…
So it definitely works, but for whatever reason, your app doesn’t do the only thing I thought would make simpler. Instead I just wasted time and money for something that took me 30s to set up manually..
Sorry to bring the rating down. But the combination of false advertisement and it not actually working is the reasoning for I. If you are able to fix it, I’d happily change the rating.
But I’d also appreciate a refund for the favorites widgets app because I only got it because the false advertisement you have in place in its description “You can also open a URL or run a shortcut instead when tapping the widget. This opens up a lot of cool possibilities. Here are some ideas of what you could open.” Was unable to do that. Don’t want this app either now tbh. Already solved it with a simple shortcut that’s actually free.
Are you aware that in your app it says “MORE FREE APPS BY THIS DEVELOPER”. And the link provided in the list from favourite widgets app took me to this app which was definitely not free. More false advertisement.
I’m just sad 🥺 took me 30s to do it manually, and this string of apps lead me to a string of wasted time and money. Sorry. Love your stuff but I have no idea why it doesn’t work, when a normal shortcut does. Wanted to support you and potentially simplify shortcut creation, but I’m just left disappointed.
Let me know if you find a fix and I’ll change rating immediately. I’m on the new iOS 18.2 if that helps you a little bit.
Developer Response ,
- Favorites Widget used to be free until recently and it's just an oversight that it has not been removed from that list. This will be fixed soon. The price is clearly listed in the App Store though. Don't assume ill intent.
- iOS prevents third-party apps from opening "prefs" type links (the Shortcuts app has extra privilege). You could achieve it by instead using the "Run Shortcut" tap action in Favorites Widgets / Quick Launch and then run a shortcut that opens that link. The benefit of using Quick Launch or Favorites Widget over the built-in Shortcuts widget is that you can configure the look of it more.
In the future, just use the feedback button in the app. You would have gotten an answer much faster.
Great app. Icons in colour rather than black n white ?
Nice to see A-Z icon labels has been implemented. Would love to be able to have the icon in colour instead of only black & white. This app is exactly what I was wanting to save my locations on Google Maps and be able to use a shortcut to get to those locations quickly. It would be very useful if there were some alphabetical symbols to use as the symbol for the shortcut. There are plenty of icons but just no alphabetical symbols, for example A-Z. it would also be great if there was an option to not show the URL link on the Quick Launch screen. also, it would be great if the app could work with folders so that I could keep websites separate from other links in a folder, and maybe have one folder for work and one folder for personal. Other than that, it’s a great app.
Developer Response ,
Thanks for the feedback. It says "Select Type" until you pick a type in the widget config. I added a character picker in the latest update. No plans to add folders.
Update: Lock Screen widget cannot have colors. This is controlled by iOS.
If you have any additional questions, there is a support button in the app. You will get faster answers that way.
App Privacy
The developer, Sindre Sorhus, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Sindre Sorhus
- Size
- 8.7 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 18.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © Sindre Sorhus
- Price
- £3.00
Supports
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Family Sharing
Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.