drag and drop issues in Monterey

I was able to solve this problem with hints from the Interwebs: I opened System Preferences > Trackpad, and unchecked the box labeled "Force Click and haptic feedback." This solved my problem! Good luck.

https://iboysoft.com/howto/drag-drop-not-working-mac.html

The Drag and Drop behaviour has certainly changed in Monterey most noticeably in the "Grab and drop" actions.

Factors that demonstrate this issue are:

• Using list or column view for folders - The select, drag and drop action works, in the same folder with same files when in Icon or preview view modes.
• Using a trackpad does not work but a magic mouse does work. You can have both plugged in at the same time and see the different behaviours.
• Accessibility options for pointer System preferences -> Accessibility -> Pointer control -> Trackpad options -> Enable Dragging
• Drag to move action seems to be a bit intermittent, sometimes works sometimes not.

Note that under "Pointer control" there are sub options "Trackpad options" and Mouse Options but only under trackpad is there an option to Enable Dragging. The Enable dragging choice has With drag lock, Without drag lock and Three finger drag.

Setting The enable dragging choice to Three fingers just upsets Mission control Desktop management. Enable dragging with drag lock seems to work best.

Workaround

When using a trackpad in list or column mode, after selecting the files to move briefly push [alt] key to grab and move the files. The [alt] key will trigger the "copy files on move" action but if you release the alt before dropping the files the action reverts to a move rather than copy (when moving with in the same disk volume).

Set the Trackpad option to enable dragging.

Mouse option

Context is Monterey on a Mac mini 2020 and seen on Mac book Air M1.

This is happening to me as well...since updating to Monterey. Any file, from \ to any folder...local or network folder.

Steps taken

1. Open folder
2. Click down and hold on trackpad to select any file from any folder
3. Try to drag file and it doesn't move...as if it's not being selected and held while holding down trackpad.

Oddly, after using the "About this MAC" window to select text for this post,(info below), I was able to select, drag and drop a file....odd.

I've had a lot of trackpad related issues since upgrading...slow to respond, no response at all, haptic feedback not always working.....

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

I've got it! None of the other answers worked for me, but I found this instruction page in Apple Support after a little digging: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204609. Just wanted to add this on to the thread for the next person that finally upgrades after months of putting it off and is losing their mind trying to move literally anything at all on their screen since this option is hidden under accessibility instead of trackpad.

On my MacBook Pro 16 inch with OS Monterey stopped working. I solved this on my own because, at the time, I saw nothing in Communities. System Preferences>track pad>point & click>turn off "force click and haptic feedback".

I've run into the same problem with my two-day old 16" MBP (12.0.1).

I am unable to reliably drag and drop files from one sub-folder to another, within my Documents folder, using the trackpad.

It works perfectly using a mouse.

Hi, for me the problem was sorted by, in the Finder, disabling "Group by...". This problem is solved. It wasn't a problem with the Trackpad or the Mouse, it seems to have been simply me fiddling with the settings on the new laptop :-)

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/432229/drag-drop-only-going-one-folder-deep-in-finder-on-monterey-mbp-2021

Example: Admin user Pictures folder - trying to move a picture from one folder to another.

Works with a Magic Mouse, but does not work with the Trackpad on my new Macbook Pro 14. Monterey 12.0. You can't get hold of a file and move it at all.

Some file moves do work elsewhere, for example on the desktop.

Yes same issue. Strange this is that is is an issue in "list view" but not in "icon view". Furthermore in "icon view" you can only drag and drop one file at a time... issue indeed to be patched up!

Thanks

I'm on 12.0.1. The lack of drag and drop using the trackpad is resolved for me.

However, I have noticed other Finder issues - specifically not being able to double-click a file to launch it AND not being able to rename a file in the Finder window.

Both of these issues were fixed by re-starting.

Yes I am have the same problem on Monterray I can only drag halfway across the screen .. Just started today downloaded Monterray 3 weeks ago . Also Monteray will not connect calls with the Iphone unless you get an external speaker. And every few days you have to reboot to make that work!!!

I have the same problem. Years ago it was called “spring loaded” because the folder under the cursor was supposed to “spring” open to allow access to the next level.

Current problem: the “spring” is broken so the next lower level does not open.

Using latest Monterey update on a new MacMini M1.

Not sure if this is the same but a similar problem.

I have a MacMini M1 new in December with Monterey 12.1.

Drag and drop works for all operations as far as I can see except one.

I had and old version of Sound Studio on my new mac and upgraded it. During the upgrade the installer asked if I wanted

(I don't remember the exact words) the app to accept swipes or key presses from other apps. I said no. It then installed. Sound Studio works but drag and drop does not work for this app from anywhere else. I think there is a setting somewhere in the system that allows apps to exchange key presses or mouse events. That seems what a drag and drop really is. One folder saying move a copy of this file to another app. But it only doesn't work on Sound Studio. I can drag and drop an .mp3 music file from Music to the desktop and it copies the file there. If I drag and drop that file to Sound Studio it won't do it. From Sound Studio I can "File/Open..." that file just fine. I think if I could re-install Sound Studio again and this time say yes to the question then drag and drop would work. That's my guess. I can't find any help on Apple Help or web search for this except this discussion.

The fix from Robert is working for me. On my second day and it's working just great now. Thank you, Robert!!!

RobertPiston

I was able to solve this problem with hints from the Interwebs: I opened System Preferences > Trackpad, and unchecked the box labeled "Force Click and haptic feedback." This solved my problem! Good luck.

https://iboysoft.com/howto/drag-drop-not-working-mac.html