How to Cut and Paste Images and Photos on a Mac
Quick answer: Image files such as JPG, PNG and HEIC are ordinary files in Finder. To move them, select them, press ⌘C, open the destination folder and press Option+⌘V. Inside apps such as Pages or Keynote, select the image and use ⌘X and ⌘V. The Photos app keeps its own library, so use drag or File ▸ Export to get image files out.
Which method you need depends on whether you are moving image files, or images that are inside a document.
Three different cases
| What you are moving | Where | How |
|---|---|---|
| Image files (JPG, PNG, HEIC) | Finder | ⌘C then Option+⌘V |
| An image inside a document | Pages, Keynote, Notes, Mail | ⌘X then ⌘V |
| Photos from your library | Photos app | Drag out or File ▸ Export |
Move image files in Finder
Open the folder and select the images. ⌘A selects everything, and Shift-click selects a range.
Press ⌘C.
Open the destination folder and press Option+⌘V.
To duplicate instead, press ⌘V. For a quick way to sort screenshots off the Desktop, see Cut and Paste on a Mac: Every Method for Text, Files and Folders.
Cut an image inside a document
In Pages, Keynote, Notes or Mail, click the image so it is selected, press ⌘X, click where it should go and press ⌘V.
Photos app
Photos stores photos inside its own library, so they are not separate files in Finder. To get a copy out, select the photos and drag them to a folder, or choose File ▸ Export. Deleting from the library is a separate action from moving.
Cut and paste image files with ⌘X
FileCutPaste adds a real ⌘X for files in Finder, which works for images as it does for any file. See How to Use FileCutPaste app to Cut and Paste Files, Folders and Images on Mac.
FAQs
How do I move a picture on a Mac?
Copy it, then press Option+⌘V in the new folder.
Can I cut a photo from the Photos app?
No. Export it or drag it out. The library keeps its own copy.
Why did my image copy instead of move?
Plain ⌘V copies. Use Option+⌘V to move.