Put application icons on status bar

The status bar of my Moto G (that expandable top bar where notifications are displayed) is never full of notifications. There is always a large space available there that, for example, could be used to add some shortcuts or icons of frequently used applications. You know, tools like calculator, flashlight, note-taking app, etc.

If like me you want to avoid putting a new desktop on your Android to put this type of tools there, check the following applications that will allow you to add application icons to the status bar, as well as system utilities that are lacking in this area.

Simple utility to put application icons on the status bar. It only works for putting apps there, but it does it pretty well. You just have to use the “+” button at the bottom to add applications. You can add as many applications as you want. If you want to separate apps by groups, use the Add Row option. In the notification bar you can move between groups of applications by sliding to the right.

The adjustment Priority Bar Launcher allows you to adjust the position of the icon row in the notification bar. Choose High Priority, for example, always fix the row of icons at the top of the status bar, scrolling the notifications below it.

You can hide the app icon that appears in the notification bar from the settings. The icon disappears, but unfortunately the space it occupies cannot be removed.

Don’t forget to activate the switch at the top right of the Bar Launcher to activate it.

This is a very good tool because, in addition to allowing you to put application icons in the notification bar, it also allows you to put tools or system utilities. For example, you can put the icon of the wifi, bluetooth, airplane mode, flashlight, camera, etc. It is very useful that it allows adding the battery icon with percentage (absent in Android KitKat) and autorotation, something for which there is no direct access in the Motorola Moto G, for example.

This app allows you to add up to two rows within the notification bar. For each icon or shortcut, the application shows two available boxes. You have to mark one or the other, depending on whether you want to add the icon to the first or second row.

How to have INVISIBLE applications on Android (icons)

The paid version allows you to add shortcuts to specific actions of certain applications. For example, it allows you to add direct access to the WhatsApp camera (to send a photo directly through this messaging app).

Bar shortcuts

This is an application that allows you to add application icons to the status bar, and also shortcuts for specific actions of applications (the WhatsApp camera mentioned before, for example). Unlike Notification Toggle, this functionality is available for free in Bar Shortcuts.

The potential of this app is great, as it allows you to put direct access to contacts, speed dial and direct message to a specific contact, widgets and practically any shortcut available on Android in the notification bar.

The bad thing is that Bar Shortcuts occupies a row for each icon or access that it puts, so it fills the notification bar if many shortcuts are put.

These are probably the top 3 apps for putting app icons (and other shortcuts) on the Android status bar. If you want to recommend any other similar application that has served you, please let me know in the comments.