Mac User Guide
- Welcome
- What’s new in macOS Tahoe
-
- Intro to Apple Intelligence
- Translate messages and calls
- Create original images with Image Playground
- Create your own emoji with Genmoji
- Use Apple Intelligence with Siri
- Find the right words with Writing Tools
- Summarize notifications and reduce interruptions
- Use ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence and privacy
- Block access to Apple Intelligence features
-
- Intro to Continuity
- Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
- Hand off tasks between devices
- Control your iPhone from your Mac
- Copy and paste between devices
- Stream video and audio with AirPlay
- Make and receive calls and text messages on your Mac
- Use your iPhone internet connection with your Mac
- Share your Wi-Fi password with another device
- Use iPhone as a webcam
- Insert sketches, photos, and scans from iPhone or iPad
- Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
- Use your iPad as a second display
- Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
- Sync music, books, and more between devices
- Resources for your Mac
- Resources for your Apple devices
- Copyright and trademarks
If you can’t move or copy an item on Mac
If you can't move or copy a file or folder, try the steps below.
Check basic requirements first
Make sure the file isn't currently open in another app.
If
appears on the file icon, see Lock a document.Verify that your destination folder or disk has enough available space. See used and available storage space.
If dragging items doesn’t work
Try using lighter pressure when dragging: If files open instead of moving, you might be using Force Touch. See the Apple Support article How to use the Force Touch trackpad.
Use the copy and delete method: Select the item, press Command-C to copy, go to the destination folder and press Command-V to paste, then delete the original item.
If items return to their original position on the desktop
If files or folders return to their original position after you move them, it may be due to desktop sort settings.
Go to the desktop (or press F11 to show the desktop).
In the Finder menu, choose View > Sort By > None.
If the Sort By option isn’t available, make sure Use Stacks isn’t selected.
If you can't move an item to an external drive or network location
Make sure the external drive is formatted as APFS, Mac OS Extended, or exFAT. NTFS drives are read-only on Mac, so you can't move files to them.
For network locations, see Connect your Mac to shared computers and servers.
Change permissions if needed
If the basic steps don't work, the issue might be related to permissions settings. You can check and modify permissions for the item you're trying to move and its destination location.