Adobe should take a moment to stop messing with new AI features and fix some basics like this that humans use.

In the meantime, there is a workaround (that I posted awhile back):

Pasting will fail to properly recognize sub-layers if there are any empty layers - or layers with only guides - within those sub-layers. The work-around that usually works for us is to first run this script:
https://aiscripts.com/delete-empty-layers-script/
and then do the copy>paste.

Still broken in the 2026 version. For a problem first reported in 2018. For software with the most comically overpriced subscription fee that has ever existed. Nice.

This is still broken in the 2026 version. My only workaround has been to drag each sub-layer into its own layer, paste, then drag everything back into its original layer folder.

Is Paste Remembers Layers *not* supposed to remember sublayers? Between this post and 32888554, everyone seems to think layers should include sublayers. But no?

See attached screen recording. You'll see multiple items from a number of sublayers fail to paste into sublayers on a different artboard in the same file. Is this how Paste Remembers Layers is supposed to work?

I just spent a half an hour repeatedly failing to copy about 250 objects with a lot of complex appearances and a dense layer structure into a new file. Maddening.

I ended up getting it to work by opening a new file, dragging the objects into there, then dragging them from there into the original target file. You better believe I hit 'save' the *instant* I saw that it made it through. Can we get someone actually working on fundamental actions like this instead of yet another piece of image-generation garbage?

@carlosferreira401, a problem with pasted sublayers is know and reported here:
http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/32888554

This one however seems to be a different problem, with top layers.

When I copy and paste, the sublayers aren’t preserved. Only the top layers remain intact, but the organization of items within sublayers is lost. I use sublayers to keep everything organized, so this is causing issues.

Can’t confirm it.
Each Paste command works as usual for me on Windows, with the released build.
Let’s try to figure it out. Can you reproduce this problem in a new file? Have you tried all Paste commands? Do you have any sublayers?

Just updated to the 2025 version of Illustrator 29.0, Desktop PC, and none of my layers are being applied when copy/pasting between files. Everything just pastes into the currently selected layer.
The "paste remembers layers" option is ticked, I've restarted and I've reinstalled. I'm hoping for a hotfix soon, otherwise I will need to revert to 2024.

"Paste Remembers Layers" has never pasted into the sublayers for me. Always in the top Layer (same Layer I copied them from, just not into the Sublayers).

I was about to ask this as a "nice to have" feature, but I see now that it should already work that way?

Illustrator 28.7.1 on Mac Ventura 13.5.2.

Still not clear...
What hotkey you are pressing exactly?
Can you share the test file, please? Not the whole lot, but a single artboard.

please see video

I have paste remember layers checked but it will paste everything in the top layer. it get's rid of all the sublayers within it. It does not remember the sublayers so then I have to organize everything manually

FFS, fix this! Using Character Animator with Illustrator is a f*cking nightmare with all this Illustrator layer issues.

Also explain the difference between a hidden and locked layer, because its also seems that hidden layers are locked from copy, edit, and everything else which is lock. Not hidden.

The problem appears when you don't copy all the layers. If you only copy part of your work, when pasting, it will not remember sublayers. If you delete everything else you don't want to copy/paste, then it will remember the sublayers.

The same thing happens if you have empty layers. Because you won't be able to select those layers by selecting your artwork, some layers won't be copied, hence when pasting it will mess up the sublayers. Delete the empty layers, delete everything you don't want to copy, then copy/paste.

Not working! Latest update did not fix!

It's been THREE YEARS since the issue was supposedly under review and I am still encountering this bug. It would be greatly appreciated if Adobe could address this issue!

Please for the love of god fix this.

When you cut a layer, and paste it on a new art board for example, the sub layers within the first layer will all dissolve, leaving you with a cluster F*** of all your paths. Thus you have to recreate all the sub layers and put everything back into it.

This is happening on both the Apple Ipad (Brand new Ipad pro) app as well as the desktop version.

Lucy, can't replicate, works fine for me, all objects get pasted right where I copied them from, no matter what paste command I use :(
It might be file-specific... can you share the file and record a video of how it works for you?

Updated Illustrator to version 26.0 a day or two ago.

Continued working in a document created before this. The option "Paste Remembers Layers" is checked but when pasting the artwork it isn't pasted in the sublayers I copied them from.

Instead all the artwork elements I've copied pastes in the main layer of said sublayers when I try to paste to a different artboard. (all within the same document). When I paste on the same artboard I've copied from it will paste into the top sublayer.