How to use drag and drop in Android?

This example demonstrates how do I use drag and drop in android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:orientation="horizontal"
   tools:context="MainActivity" >
   <LinearLayout
      android:id="@+id/leftView"
      android:layout_width="0dp"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"
      android:layout_margin="10dp"
      android:layout_weight="1"
      android:background="@android:color/darker_gray"
      android:gravity="center_vertical"
      android:orientation="vertical" >
   <ImageView
      android:id="@+id/boxView"
      android:layout_width="75dp"
      android:layout_height="75dp"
      android:layout_gravity="center_vertical|center_horizontal"
      android:layout_margin="10dp"
      android:background="@drawable/one" />
   </LinearLayout>
   <LinearLayout
      android:id="@+id/rightView"
      android:layout_width="0dp"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"
      android:layout_margin="10dp"
      android:layout_weight="1"
      android:background="@android:color/darker_gray"
      android:gravity="center_vertical"
      android:orientation="vertical" >
   </LinearLayout>
</LinearLayout>

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.DragEvent;
import android.view.MotionEvent;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.LinearLayout;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements View.OnTouchListener, View.OnDragListener {
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      findViewById(R.id.boxView).setOnTouchListener(this);
      findViewById(R.id.leftView).setOnDragListener(this);
      findViewById(R.id.rightView).setOnDragListener(this);
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onDrag(View view, DragEvent event) {
      if (event.getAction() == DragEvent.ACTION_DROP) {
         view = (View) event.getLocalState();
         if (view.getId() == R.id.leftView || view.getId() == R.id.rightView) {
            ViewGroup source = (ViewGroup) view.getParent();
            source.removeView(view);
            LinearLayout target = (LinearLayout) view;
            target.addView(view);
         }
         view.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
      }
      return true;
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onTouch(View view, MotionEvent event) {
      if (event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
         View.DragShadowBuilder shadowBuilder = new View.DragShadowBuilder(view);
         view.startDrag(null, shadowBuilder, view, 0);
         view.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
         return true;
      }
      return false;
   }
}

Step 4 - Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   package="app.com.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen –

Click here to download the project code.