You can use a feature called Universal Clipboard to copy content from one of your Apple devices and paste it on another. You might copy text on your iPad and paste it into a note on your iPhone, or copy an image from Safari and paste it into an email on your Mac.
It works with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as long as both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and Handoff turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
Before you begin
For Universal Clipboard to work, all of these need to be true:
- Both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and Handoff turned on.
- You’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
- Both devices meet minimum system requirements for Universal Clipboard.
If you’re using a VPN, confirm its configuration doesn’t block local networking, since that may interfere with some Continuity features.
Copy and paste between your iPad and other devices
You won’t actually see Universal Clipboard. It works just like copy and paste on your iPad, except you can paste on one of your other Apple devices, like a Mac or an iPhone.
- Select the text or image on your iPad, then tap Copy.
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On your other device, either tap (on another iPad or an iPhone) or click (on a Mac) where you want to paste the text or image. Then tap or click Paste. You can also use keyboard shortcuts.
For more information on how to copy or paste on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, see How to copy and paste on an iPhone or iPad or How to copy and paste on a Mac.
Note: When you copy the content, it’s available on your Clipboard for a time.
How to copy and paste on an iPhone or iPad
- Select and copy text: Double-tap with one finger to select a word or triple-tap with one finger to select a paragraph. (You can also move the grab points to adjust your selection.) Then tap Copy.
- Select and copy an image: Touch and hold to select an image, then tap Copy.
- Paste text or an image: Tap where you want to paste the text or image, then tap Paste.
For more gestures that let you copy and paste, check out our guide, Select, cut, copy, and paste text on iPad.
How to copy and paste on a Mac
- Select text or an image: With your pointer, select the text or image you want to copy.
- Copy text or an image: Press Command-C or choose Edit > Copy from the menu bar.
- Paste text or an image: Move your pointer where you want to paste the text or image and click, then press Command-V or choose Edit > Paste from the menu bar.
Additional gestures can also help you copy and paste. See our article, Select, cut, copy, and paste text on iPad.
If Universal Clipboard isn’t working
- Make sure that you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
- Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff turned on.
- Your devices must be within 30 feet (10 meters) of one another.
- If you’re having difficulty getting Universal Clipboard to work, restart your devices and try again.
Universal Clipboard works best for small selections of text or copied images. To share multiple files between your iPad and Mac, check out our guide, Transfer files from iPad to a storage device, a server, or the cloud.
See also
- Use Continuity to work across Apple devices
- Use AirDrop on iPad to send items to nearby Apple devices
- Hand off tasks between iPad and your other devices
