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Inspiring
September 26, 2025
Question

Selecting Clipping mask layer

  • September 26, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 134 views

Issue

  • Photoshop version: 26.11
  • OS: MacOS Tahoe 26.0


Steps to reproduce:

  1. Create a document 
  2. Duplicate a background layer
  3. Delete original background layer
  4. Create a layer with a red square 
  5. Create a layer with a black square
  6. Make a group from the background layer and the red square
  7. Make a clipping mask from the black square layer to the group
  8. Use the Move tool to select the black square layer and drag

 

Expected result select the black square layer and drag
Actual result: Doesn't select and drag the black square layer, but does it with the background layer
https://youtu.be/H6SeQ3AO7aA
Additional: If you do the same but with the original Background layer, it selects the black square properly

1 reply

Noel Orridge
Community Manager
Community Manager
September 26, 2025

Hi @Михаил25536745biu1! Thank you for reaching out! The steps you're taking and the result you're getting is exactly how it's supposed to work if you have the "Auto Select" checkbox at the top enabled when using the move tool. Uncheck it, select Layer, and then try moving the black square Layer again.


Hope this helps! 

Noel
Inspiring
September 27, 2025

Hello Noel!  Thank you for the reply!
Did you have a chance to try the steps I provided before, with unchecked "Auto Select"?
The same result for me. It doesn't select and drag the black square layer, but it does with the background layer

Anshul_Saini
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 17, 2025

Hi @MikaNaumovich,

 

Thanks for following up and sharing the clarification. I did take another look on my end, and I see the same behavior you’re describing. At this point, we need to confirm whether this is working as expected (since a similar outcome also appears in older versions, such as Photoshop 2021) or if it’s tied to a long-standing bug with clipping masks and selection.

 

I’ve shared your exact steps and recording with the product team so they can validate. Once I hear back, I’ll update this thread with the outcome.

 

We appreciate your patience while we investigate this further.

 

Best,

Anshul Saini