Create android app shortcut programatically

android_shortcut.java

// Note that a shortcut is created automagically if the app is installed via Play store.
// Change "APP_NAME" by your app name. *MrObvious*

/*Manifest file - add this */
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT" />

/* MainActivity.java */
public class MainActivity ... {
  ...
  private SharedPreferences appSettings;
  ...

  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    ...
    ...
  	appSettings = getSharedPreferences("APP_NAME", MODE_PRIVATE);
  	// Make sure you only run addShortcut() once, not to create duplicate shortcuts.
    if(!appSettings.getBoolean("shortcut", false)) {
  		addShortcut();
  	}
  }
  
  private void addShortcut() {
    //Adding shortcut for MainActivity 
    //on Home screen
    Intent shortcutIntent = new Intent(getApplicationContext(), MainActivity.class);
    shortcutIntent.setAction(Intent.ACTION_MAIN);

    Intent addIntent = new Intent();
    addIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_INTENT, shortcutIntent);
    addIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_NAME, "APP_NAME");
    addIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_ICON_RESOURCE,
      Intent.ShortcutIconResource.fromContext(getApplicationContext(),
      R.drawable.ic_launcher));
    addIntent.putExtra("duplicate", false);
    addIntent.setAction("com.android.launcher.action.INSTALL_SHORTCUT");
    getApplicationContext().sendBroadcast(addIntent);
  
  	SharedPreferences.Editor prefEditor = appSettings.edit();  
  	prefEditor.putBoolean("shortcut", true);  
  	prefEditor.commit();
  }
}