You can use a feature called Universal Clipboard to copy content from one of your Apple devices and paste it on another. For example, you can copy text on your iPad and paste it into a note on your iPhone, or copy an image from a Safari webpage on your iPhone and paste it into an email message 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 on both.
Before you begin
For this to work, both devices need to meet these conditions:
- 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.
A VPN configuration that prevents local networking may interfere with some Continuity features, so if you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration doesn’t.
Copy and paste between your iPhone and other devices
There’s nothing to see with Universal Clipboard: It behaves just like copy and paste on your iPhone, except that you can paste to one of your other Apple devices, such as a Mac or an iPad.
- Select the text or image on your iPhone and then tap Copy.
- On your other device, either tap (on another iPhone or an iPad) or click (on a Mac) where you want to paste the text or image. Tap or click Paste. You can also use keyboard shortcuts.
Note: Content you copy is only available on your Clipboard for a short amount of 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.
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.
If Universal Clipboard isn’t working
- Make sure that you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
- Make sure that your iPhone and Mac 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.
For sharing small selections of text or copied images between devices, Universal Clipboard works best.
