Move tool won't "let go" of object until another tool is selected

Question

Hi all! I just got a new iMac and so have also updated my Adobe apps. I'm now running Photoshop 26.2.0. I'm having trouble with my move tool. Basically, just clicking off an object that has previously been selected using the move tool does not "release" it so I can select something else and move on. I have to click on another tool to "release" it (sorry... not sure of the correct terminology here). It didn't use to work this way. Is there a way to fix this? Or is it just something new that I need to get used to?

BrettN · Accepted Answer

The Move tool doesn't excactly use the concept of selecting anything and holding it. Instead, it is used against the currently selected layer. I'm guessing what you running into is whether or not the "Auto-Select: Layer" option is on or off. The default is ON and what this does is when you click with the Move tool, it will select whatever layer is under the mouse cursor and start to move that (it will "see through" any transparency to whatever layer in the stack is visible at that point). With this option OFF, the move tool will only move the currently selected layer in the Layers panel, regardless of where on the screen you click.

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