issue with multiple files selection on trackpad under macos 27

It is possible to click-and-drag the cursor to select multiple files in Column view but ONLY when starting from the top or bottom of the list. Worth noting that this is a pointer behavior NOT a trackpad issue, since I can reproduce it both with a trackpad (internal or external Magic Trackpad) and with a Magic Mouse.

This is a bug or a behavior change with macOS 27 Golden Gate that persists on macOS 27.2. Bugs should be reported to Apple here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

At this point, there is no known workaround and a fix will need to be provided by Apple. This joins another Column view issue that started in macOS 26 Tahoe and persists in macOS 27 Golden Gate (at least through 27.2). When entering a folder or a dialog box with Column View active, the folder hierarchy starts with the top level at the left, meaning that if a folder is nested deeply enough, then the user needs to scroll to the right to view the contents, even if that folder is the one most recently accessed. 

Click and drag from bottom on Golden Gate:

On my Mac running Tahoe 26.7.1, click-and-drag can be used to select adjacent files in the middle of the list in Column view, if you click to start the selection on the side of the files.

Click-and-drag to select files does work in List view, so that's a possible workaround.

Here are Apple's documented methods for selecting files: Select items on your Mac screen - Apple Support

macOS 27.2: Multiple-file selection broken in Finder Column View

Since macOS 27, selecting multiple files by dragging with the Magic Trackpad has become unreliable, particularly in Finder's Column View. Disabling Force Click and haptic feedback initially helped, but the workaround stopped working after macOS 27.2.

Has anyone found a reliable fix that restores drag-to-select without using Command or Shift?

1. Compare Finder views

Test dragging across adjacent files in Column View, List View and Icon View (Command-1, Command-2 and Command-3).

If only Column View fails, the issue may be specific to Finder's handling of selection in that view.

Apple guide: Organize files in Finder.

2. Recheck Force Click

Go to System Settings > Trackpad > Point & Click and disable Force Click and haptic feedback. Retest, although this workaround no longer appears effective in 27.2.

Apple guide: Trackpad settings.

3. Try Three Finger Drag

Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → Trackpad Options. Enable Use trackpad for dragging and select Three Finger Drag.

This changes how macOS handles dragging and may offer a workaround, though it is not a confirmed fix.

Apple instructions: Three Finger Drag.

4. Isolate the cause

Restart the Magic Trackpad and, if possible, test it connected by cable or try another pointing device. Relaunch Finder by holding Option while right-clicking its Dock icon and selecting Relaunch.

If the issue persists, test in a temporary macOS user account. If necessary, test in Safe Mode.

Apple guides: Create a user account · Start in Safe Mode.

5. Check for updates

Open Apple menu > About This Mac to record the exact macOS version and build. Then check System Settings → General > Software Update.

Apple guide: Update macOS.

6. Report a possible regression

If none of these steps helps, submit feedback through Apple Feedback Assistant or contact Apple Support.

Include the Mac Studio and Magic Trackpad models, macOS build number, affected Finder views, and the fact that disabling Force Click helped before 27.2 but no longer does.

I haven't found a confirmed permanent fix for 27.2. I'd start by comparing Finder views and testing Three Finger Drag.

Question: Does drag-to-select also fail in List View, or is the problem strictly limited to Column View?

Does not work either with 3 fingers drag.

I think apple broke with golden gate multiple drag selection files under view columns.

Bug, or intentional or bug? i don't know.

Works correctly under list view. the problem is only with columns view.

In that case, all you can do is report it to Apple. Personally, I don't use Column view so it's not an issue for me.

Note that by trying the three-finger drag setting, if you had other three-finger function assignments you will likely need to reset those in System Settings > Trackpad > More Gestures tab. For me, assigning the three-finger drag forced the options for Swipe between spaces, Mission Control and App Exposé to the four-finger settings and I had to return them to the three-finger gestures.

Owl-53 wrote:

3. Try Three Finger Drag

Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → Trackpad Options. Enable Use trackpad for dragging and select Three Finger Drag.

This changes how macOS handles dragging and may offer a workaround, though it is not a confirmed fix.

I tested this AI 'suggestion' and found it to be a NON fix, and thus I did not offer it as a possible workaround. Did you test this and find that it worked for you? That would be interesting, and point to a possible deeper-level settings bug.

neuroanatomist wrote:

Owl-53 wrote:

3. Try Three Finger Drag

Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Pointer Control → Trackpad Options. Enable Use trackpad for dragging and select Three Finger Drag.

This changes how macOS handles dragging and may offer a workaround, though it is not a confirmed fix.

I tested this AI 'suggestion' and found it to be a NON fix, and thus I did not offer it as a possible workaround. Did you test this and find that it worked for you? That would be interesting, and point to a possible deeper-level settings bug.

The three-finger drag option was included as a potential troubleshooting avenue rather than a confirmed fix.

Its effectiveness may depend on the specific circumstances, so I would not draw any conclusions about a deeper-level settings bug based on this suggestion alone.

Your testing is useful feedback, and the option should not be presented as a workaround without evidence that it resolves the issue.

de-activating force touch worked under 27 or 27.0.1, but does not work anymore under 27.2.

Work correctly under list view. the bug only affect columns view.