Copy on iPhone, paste on Mac (Universal Clipboard)

Updated October 2026

Universal Clipboard is Apple’s built-in way to copy on one device and paste on another. It works between Macs, iPhones and iPads that are signed in to the same Apple ID.

What you need

The same Apple ID on both devices, with two-factor authentication on.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on for both.
Handoff turned on for both: on the Mac in System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff, on the iPhone in Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff.
The devices near each other.

How to use it

Copy text, an image or a file on your iPhone.
Within a short time, press ⌘V on your Mac.

It works the other way too: copy on the Mac, paste on the iPhone.

If it stops working

Turn Handoff off and on again on both devices.
Turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on.
Check both devices use the same Apple ID.
Restart the device that is not receiving.
Try a small piece of text first, because large images and files take longer to arrive.

What it cannot do

Keep a history. It passes the latest copy only, for a short time.
Work when you are far away or offline. The devices have to be close together.

With a clipboard manager

When something arrives on your Mac through Universal Clipboard, Pocketry saves it like any other copy and marks it as coming from another device, so it is still there tomorrow. Pocketry has no iPhone app and no sync yet, so anything you copy on the iPhone only reaches the history if it arrives on the Mac this way.

Common questions

How do I copy from iPhone to Mac?

Sign in to the same Apple ID on both, turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff, keep the devices close, then copy on one and paste on the other.

Why does Universal Clipboard not work?

The usual causes are Handoff turned off on one device, different Apple IDs, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth off, or the devices being too far apart. Toggling Handoff or Bluetooth off and on often fixes it.

Does Universal Clipboard keep a history?

No. It passes your latest copy across for a short time. To keep a list on the Mac, use a clipboard manager.

Does Pocketry sync with my iPhone?

Not yet. Pocketry saves what arrives on your Mac through Universal Clipboard and marks it as coming from another device, but it has no iPhone app or sync today.

Try Pocketry free for 14 days · then $12 once, no subscription.