Move a layer mask independently from the layer in Photoshop

Layers are an integral part of advanced image editing. Sometimes you need that mask in a precise location, protecting specific portions of your image from further editing or simply hiding them. But there may come a time when you want to nudge the mask—but not the layer it's masking—to a different location. With the layer mask selected, if you choose the Move tool and try to move the mask, the layer will move along with it. To move the mask but not the layer, you need to unlink the two. Simply click the chain icon in the Layers panel that sits between the layer thumbnail and the layer mask thumbnail. Then you can select either the mask thumbnail or the layer thumbnail and move it independently of the other.