Move 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 text from Safari into an email, an image from Photos into a note, or a calendar event into a text message. (Not all third-party apps support drag and drop.)

A Split View with a webpage on the left and an email on the right. A link from the webpage is being dragged to the email.

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 the two apps, 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, it automatically scrolls.
Tip: If you want to drag the item to a new note or email, for example, open the new note or email first so you can drag the item directly to it.

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 (models with the 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.

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

Lift your finger before dragging, or drag the item off the screen.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide