The invention is directed to a method for operating a portable device. The portable device comprises a touch screen displaying a plurality of objects. The method comprises steps of receiving a touch signal through a contacted location on the touch screen to select one of the objects corresponding to the contacted location, wherein the touch signal is correspondent with a continued pressing motion and a dragging motion following the continued pressing motion on the touch screen. According to the continued pressing motion, at least a button corresponding to an operating function is displayed on the touch screen. When the dragging motion is towards to the button corresponding to the operating function, the operating function is executed on the selected object.