A mobile device is fitted with a camera and an extended reality (XR) software application program executing on a processor within an XR system. Via the XR software application program, various techniques are performed for manipulating virtual objects in an XR environment. In a first technique, the XR software application program facilitates the movement of a virtual object from a first location to a second location. In a second technique, the XR software application program facilitates the rotation of a virtual object. In a third technique, the XR software application program facilitates the scaling of a virtual object along one or more axes.