OpenAI is testing a new feature in its Android app that could make returning to frequently used conversations much quicker. The update would allow users to add shortcuts for individual ChatGPT chats directly to their Android home screen, enabling them to open a specific thread with a single tap.
Android Authority uncovered the change during an APK teardown of ChatGPT for Android version 1.2025.350. The findings suggest that OpenAI is experimenting with a more direct way for users to resume ongoing conversations, especially those revisited regularly for work, study, or personal projects. While the feature is not yet widely available, its presence in the app’s code suggests plans for a broader release in the future.
For many users, ChatGPT conversations can stretch over days or even weeks, particularly when they involve long-running projects or repeated tasks. A shortcut that bypasses the app’s main screen and opens directly into a chosen chat could eliminate several steps, saving time and reducing friction during daily use.
How the home screen shortcut works
According to the APK teardown, the new option appears inside the menu of an individual chat. By tapping the three-dot menu within a conversation, users may see an action labelled “Add to home screen”. Selecting this option prompts Android to create a launcher shortcut that functions much like a standard app icon.
Once added, the shortcut sits on the home screen alongside other apps. However, instead of opening the ChatGPT app’s main interface, it takes the user straight into the selected conversation. This behaviour mirrors how some Android apps allow direct shortcuts to specific pages or actions, such as opening a particular playlist in a music app or a single chat in a messaging service.
At this stage, the shortcut name is automatically taken from the chat’s existing title. There is no option to rename shortcuts during setup, so users will need to manage their chat titles carefully if they plan to add several shortcuts. The teardown also suggests there is no clear limit to how many chat shortcuts can be added, allowing users to create multiple one-tap entry points for different conversations.
If implemented as expected, tapping a shortcut would open the chosen chat directly, rather than routing the user through the ChatGPT app first. This direct access is the key difference that could make the feature appealing for those who rely on specific threads as ongoing workspaces.
Why direct shortcuts could matter for regular users
ChatGPT already includes tools to help users organise their conversations, such as the ability to pin chats within the app and on the web. Pinning ensures important threads stay near the top of the conversation list, which is helpful once the app is already open. However, a home screen shortcut changes the entire entry point into the experience.
Instead of opening ChatGPT, waiting for it to load, and then finding the right conversation, users could go straight to the task at hand. This difference may seem small, but for people who return to the same thread multiple times a day, it could add up to a noticeable improvement in efficiency.
The feature is particularly relevant for users who keep one conversation active for a specific purpose. Examples include planning daily schedules, drafting and revising written content, managing a long-term research project, or running iterative prompt chains that build on previous answers. In these cases, the conversation itself becomes a workspace, and faster access helps maintain focus and continuity.
There is also a broader trend in mobile app design towards reducing friction and surfacing frequently used actions. Android already supports app shortcuts and widgets designed to speed up everyday tasks. Adding chat-level shortcuts would better align ChatGPT with these platform features, making it feel more integrated into everyday Android use.
That said, the current limitations hinted at in the teardown may make the feature feel less useful at launch. Without the ability to rename shortcuts, users with many similar chat titles could find their home screens cluttered or confusing. Reliability will also be important. If a shortcut ever opens the wrong chat or fails to load correctly, it could quickly undermine trust in the feature.
Availability and what to expect next
For now, the home screen shortcut option is in testing rather than fully released. Android Authority reports that the feature is not widely available, even though it can be enabled via specific tweaks in the tested build. There is no public information on when, or if, OpenAI plans to roll it out to all Android users.
As with many features spotted in APK teardowns, its presence does not guarantee a final release. OpenAI may still be evaluating how the shortcuts perform in real-world use, or deciding whether additional options, such as renaming shortcuts or setting limits, are needed before a wider launch.
If the feature does move beyond testing, users will likely be watching for a few key details. These include whether OpenAI adds custom names or icons for shortcuts, how well the shortcuts work across different Android devices and launchers, and whether they remain stable after app updates. Consistent behaviour will be essential if users are to rely on shortcuts in their daily workflow.
Until there is an official announcement, Android users interested in faster access to their favourite ChatGPT conversations will need to rely on existing tools such as pinned chats and careful organisation within the app. Keeping chat titles clear and distinct helps prepare for a future in which they appear directly on the home screen.
If and when the “Add to home screen” option becomes widely available, it could mark a small but meaningful step in making ChatGPT feel less like a single app and more like a collection of personalised tools, each accessible exactly when needed.
