OS X Lion 10.7.2 recently added the ability to drag-and-drop files between desktop spaces, but it’s not particularly intuitive, and downright awkward for users with multiple displays. Thankfully, hardcore Mission Control fans now have a better option called Yoink.
Available exclusively in the Mac App Store, Yoink is an extremely tiny (0.4MB!) app that acts as a holding area when moving files between desktop spaces or full-screen apps in OS X Lion. Drag one or more files or folders and Yoink pops up a small window—drop your files into it, switch to your destination, then pull them out on the other side. If you’d rather make a copy instead, hold down the Option key while dropping items into Yoink.
This is about all there is to Yoink, but what it does, it does well.
Yoink adds a menu bar icon at the top of your screen (which can be turned off) with easy access to options, including positioning Yoink’s target window. If that’s too much dragging for you, Yoink can be configured to pop right to your mouse location instead. After dropping files into Yoink, you can move or clear them individually, all at once, or even Quick Look them while docked in the Yoink window.
The app is simple, and Yoink’s preferences reflect that. You can control how long the window appears, whether or not the app should remove items as they’re dragged out, and whether or not to empty the list when adding new items. That’s about it. Yoink does exactly what it says with just the right amount of control, and the price is certainly right.
The bottom line. This one is easy: if you find yourself shuttling files between full-screen apps or Mission Control desktops on a daily basis, buy Yoink.
Mac OS 10.7 or later, 64-bit processor
Extremely simple to install and stable while in use. Does exactly what it promises for cheap. Easy configuration.
May clash with other apps that dock on the side of the display. Requires manually adding to startup items if desired, due to Mac App Store restrictions. Adds yet another menu bar icon by default.
