After updating to macOS Tahoe, many Mac users have encountered the same problem: drag and drop has stopped working. Some can't move a file into a folder, others can't upload a document through a browser, and for some drag and drop doesn't work anywhere at all. The behavior is inconsistent: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't — and each time it's different.
This isn't an isolated case or a specific Mac malfunction. Identical complaints are appearing from users with different devices and different input methods — mouse, trackpad, Magic Mouse. Similar issues were seen in macOS Sequoia as well.
Possible Causes
— Bug in Finder when in list view mode
— Conflict with Force Click setting on trackpad
— Third-party background apps — clipboard managers, customization utilities — interfering with system gestures
— Temporary system glitch that doesn't resolve with the first reboot
How to Fix: Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Drag to the folder name, not the icon
In Finder's list view, a file sometimes isn't recognized when dragged onto a folder icon. Try dragging it to the text name next to it — it's not obvious, but it helps many people right away.
2. Disable Force Click on trackpad
Go to System Settings → Trackpad → Point & Click. Turn off "Force Click and haptic feedback." After that, check if dragging works.
3. Enable three-finger drag
Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → Trackpad Options. Enable "Dragging with three fingers." This mode makes the gesture initiation more stable and often eliminates the problem.
4. Restart Finder
Press Command + Option + Escape, select Finder from the list and click "Relaunch." This helps temporarily, but lets you continue working normally.
5. Reboot your Mac multiple times
Sounds weird, but some users report that one reboot didn't help, but a second one did. Try rebooting your Mac twice in a row, especially if the problem returned after the first time.
6. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads only core system components — without third-party extensions and utilities. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode, test dragging, then exit and test again. If everything works in Safe Mode — the cause is some background application.
7. Use keyboard as a temporary workaround
While the problem isn't fixed, files can be copied and moved using Command + C and Command + V. It's not a full replacement, but it lets you continue working without wasting time.
If none of these steps worked — come in for free diagnostics at iClub.pro. We'll figure out what's causing it and get your Mac back to normal.