Move and copy items with drag and drop on iPad

With drag and drop, you can use a finger to move text and items within an app and copy items from one app to another. For example, you can drag an image from Notes into an email. (Not all third-party apps support drag and drop.)

Move an item

Touch and hold the item until it lifts up (if it’s text, select it first).
Drag it to another location within the app.
If you drag to the bottom or top of a long document, it automatically scrolls.

Copy an item between open apps

Open two items in Split View or in Slide Over, then touch and hold the item until it lifts up (if it’s text, select it first).
Drag it to the other app.
As you drag, appears wherever you can drop the item. If you drag to the bottom or top of a long document, the document automatically scrolls.
Tip: If you want to drag the item to a new note or email, open the new note or email first so you can drag the item directly to it.

A Split View with Notes open on the left and an email open on the right. A photograph from Notes is dragged into the email.

Drag a link to a Split View or Slide Over window

Touch and hold the link until it lifts up, then do one of the following:

Replace a Split View or Slide Over window with the link’s destination: Drag the link to the window.
Open the link’s destination in a Split View or Slide Over window: When there is no Split View or Slide Over window showing, drag the link to the left or right edge of the screen to open the destination in Split View, or drag the link close to the edge to open in Slide Over.

Copy an item to an app on the Home Screen or in the Dock

Touch and hold the item until it lifts up (if it’s text, select it first).
While you continue to hold the item, use another finger to swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause to reveal the Dock or press the Home button (on an iPad with a Home button).
Drag the item over the other app to open it (a ghost image of the item appears under your finger as you drag).
You can drag over items in the app to navigate to where you want to drop the item (as you drag, appears wherever you can drop the item). For example, you can drag over the notes list to open the note where you want to drop the item, or you can use another finger to open a new note where you can drop the item.

If you change your mind about moving an item, lift your finger before dragging, or drag the item off the screen.

Select multiple items to move

Touch and hold the first selected item, drag it slightly, and continue holding it.
While still holding the first item, tap additional items with another finger. A badge indicates the number of selected items.
Drag all of the items together.

If you change your mind about moving items, lift your finger before dragging, or drag the items off the screen.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide