Secondly, on Macs running OS versions before Catalina, you may also click on a Folder or App and then press together Command (⌘) + L. Also, if you change the folder location, the shortcut stops working. However, it is tricky and beyond the simplicity of the average user. There is a third method that I know of, which requires Terminal and some command lines. These were two easy ways to create shortcut icons on Mac. Right-click on the folder or app name and click on Make Alias. If you cannot find it, see the end for instructions. Decide which folder’s or app’s desktop shortcut you want to create. Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac Using Drag and Drop.Anyways, here are two easy ways to create desktop shortcuts on Mac running macOS Big Sur or Catalina. The second method is also quick, but it at times copies the folder instead of making the shortcut. The first method below is the one I prefer. You can add shortcuts for folders and apps to the desktop or Dock of your Mac. We first make an alias and then move it to the desired location. On Mac too creating a folder or app shortcut is extremely easy.
When you download an app on Android or Windows, you get an option, or it automatically creates a shortcut on the home screen or the desktop.