How do I move files to different folders on MacBook Air?

vagirl2010 wrote:

I don't understand why I just can't right click on a file and move it to where it needs to go or ANY type of obvious dropdown available? It seems like an incredibly simple thing. There are specific reasons why I don't always use the drag and drop that I don't want to go into.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Why is moving files so hard?

That function is not implemented in macOS and never has been to my knowledge. Drag&Drop or Copy&Paste are the two options. You cannot right-click a file and find a Move option. Drag&Drop moves a file. <command>Drag&Drop copies a file to the new location.

You may have specific reasons not to use Drag&Drop but for the life of me I cannot imagine what those might be. Care to elaborate? Your specific reasons apparently are not important to the vast user base at large.

Finally, all you can do is submit feedback to Apple requesting such a function. While other suggestions will sort of mimic the function your desire they are work arounds.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Please first update to macOS 15.6.1. That fixes various issues in earlier versions, including in 15.0. Let’s not chase old and fixed bugs.

You can drag files among Finder windows or to Finder tabs within the same Finder window, among other ways to move files. But that seems not to meet your needs, but that for unspecified reasons.

You can use the command line to move files around, too. That’s very flexible, but can be cryptic.

Manage files in Terminal on Mac - Apple Support

You can add shortcuts or services or quick actions or scripts as well, particularly if you have repeated sequences of commands or repeated moves.

Shortcuts User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Perform quick actions in the Finder on Mac - Apple Support

You can also create what are called folder actions, which trigger when a file is placed in a particular folder.

There are other options, depending on details and requirements.

So… what are you trying to do here?

You can select a file, command-C to copy it, use command-delete to remove it from that folder, and go to another folder and do command-V to put it there. You can use the Edit menu if you don't like ⌘-C and ⌘-V.

Of course, if you want to just put a copy of the file in a different folder, you don't need the ⌘-delete step.

Barney-15E wrote: …You can make a Quick Action in Automator to do that.

Cmd-C/Cmd-Opt-V to move seems simpler--not as simple as drag and drop, but simple enough.

That's great-- I hadn't appreciated command-option-V (⌘ ⌥ V) would paste and remove like that! You learn something every day! But, personally, I'll drag and drop instead.

Maybe using Automator for a two-step action might be a tad silly.

Richard.Taylor wrote:

Barney-15E wrote: …You can make a Quick Action in Automator to do that.

Cmd-C/Cmd-Opt-V to move seems simpler--not as simple as drag and drop, but simple enough.

That's great-- I hadn't appreciated command-option-V (⌘ ⌥ V) would paste and remove like that! You learn something every day! But, personally, I'll drag and drop instead.

Maybe using Automator for a two-step action might be a tad silly.

The option key also works with dragon drop. It’s the toggle that changes the behavior when dragging within a volume boundary or across volume boundaries. The default is to move within a volume and copy when going across the volume, which you can alter that behavior by holding down the option key.

Barney-15E wrote: … volume boundaries. The default is to move within a volume and copy when going across the volume, which you can alter that behavior by holding down the option key.

Makes sense. I should've thought of that.

You can make a Quick Action in Automator to do that.

Cmd-C/Cmd-Opt-V to move seems simpler--not as simple as drag and drop, but simple enough.