Android 13 refined the long-existing drag-and-drop characteristic that allows you to transfer content material between apps. But it surely solely labored in split-screen mode. Android 14 polished it additional by permitting you to carry what you want, navigate to a different app with a second finger, and drop it. Then got here Android 15 and Google’s Pixel Drop, which launched App Pairs.
Now, on Google Pixel telephones, you may open apps beside one another and rapidly share information between them. Extra importantly, it can save you these mixtures in case you often use them and pin them to your private home display for simple entry. When you’re uninterested in utilizing the share button or manually switching apps, here is the best way to save time with the drag-and-drop characteristic.

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How does dragging and dropping between apps work?
Drag and drop strikes footage, textual content, or different information throughout two apps. You may press and maintain the merchandise, drag it to a brand new place, and let go to stick. For instance, you may have your gallery and messaging apps open. You may press and maintain a photograph within the gallery and drag it to the chat window of the messaging app to drop it into the dialog. You are able to do this on a split-screen or with out it.
This course of differs from copying and pasting, the place you choose the merchandise, faucet Copy, change to the opposite app, faucet the place you wish to place it, and faucet Paste. It takes just a few extra steps and would not provide you with a visible preview of the place the merchandise will go.
Find out how to drag and drop on Android 15
Not a lot has modified about how dragging and dropping between apps works on Android 15. It stays a key characteristic for Android units. This is the best way to use it:
- Open the 2 apps you wish to switch content material between in order that they seem on the current apps display.
- Open the primary app that accommodates the content material you wish to fetch. Right here, we use the Google app.
- Maintain and drag the content material you wish to transfer to create a drag shadow. If it is textual content, spotlight it first.
- Use a second finger to faucet the overview or hamburger button within the navigation bar. Swipe up and maintain for a second in case you use gesture navigation.
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Choose the vacation spot app to open it.
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Make sure the cursor is energetic earlier than releasing the dragged content material. In any other case, it disappears.
Find out how to drag and drop content material with a break up display
Usually, you need to use the drag-and-drop technique to repeat content material between apps. However break up display mode is quicker. It retains each apps seen concurrently. This manner, you may drag parts from one app to a different with out switching backwards and forwards between full-screen apps. This is the best way to use it:
- Open an app. Then, entry the current apps display.
- Faucet the app’s icon. Then choose Cut up display.
- Choose the opposite app you wish to open. Your display is split into two, with each apps seen.
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Drag and drop your most popular content material between each apps.
Find out how to drag and drop content material with App Pairs
App Pairs is a brand new characteristic that lets you save your favourite app mixtures. As a substitute of manually arranging apps whenever you wish to use them, you may rapidly launch them collectively from your private home display. When in break up display mode, entry the current apps. Then, faucet any of the app icons and choose Save app pair.


App Pairs now seem on your private home display, and you need to use them anytime. You possibly can reposition them nevertheless you want or place them in folders for higher group.
Widespread points with drag and drop on Android
Android 15 did not make the drag-and-drop characteristic higher, and it stays considerably problematic. Typically, content material would not paste on the primary attempt. You could discover {that a} block of textual content disappears whenever you launch it onto one other app or a picture would not seem.
If these issues happen, repeat the method till it really works. For the perfect outcomes, use Google’s official apps and take your time to keep away from fumbling. It requires two palms, which you may use to fastidiously maintain the content material with one hand whereas utilizing the opposite to swipe via apps or navigate the interface.
Cut up display mode works higher on foldables as a result of they’ve larger screens and supply extra space for utilizing a number of apps. On common telephones, it feels cramped, and it is more durable to multitask.
Discover extra on Android 15
As Android continues to develop, we count on an enchancment in how drag and drop works. Within the meantime, use different strategies like copy and paste to share information or benefit from the App Pairs. There are even quite a few hidden options to find on Android 15. Amongst them are Bluetooth auto-reconnect, boosting show distinction, and utilizing your cellphone as a high-quality webcam.