How to copy from an iPhone and paste to a Mac?

Apple took one of the most commonly used computer operations, copy and paste, and made it better, allowing owners of an iPhone and a Mac to copy on one device and paste on another. Known as a ‘Universal Clipboard,’ this feature can save a surprisingly large amount of time when compared to emailing or messaging text. This also works from iPod Touch to iPad and every combination of those four types of Apple technology.

Transferring data between Apple devices is quick and easy as it is built right into macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. For example, the best way to easily move iPhone files to a Mac is with AirDrop. Several of Apple’s Continuity features are focused on speeding and simplifying this communication.

How To Use Apple’s Universal Clipboard

• When using a compatible iPhone, Mac, or other Apple device the Universal Clipboard should work automatically. The magic of copying on one device and pasting on another happens behind the scenes with the operating system managing the details. The clipboard transfer is available for a limited time if the second device is asleep or powered off.
• For most reliable use, it’s best to wake each before copying. Then, there is plenty of time to transition and paste. Apple doesn’t share the exact time periods allowable between copy and paste actions, but in testing, over a minute was possible when an iPhone and Mac were awake.
• For those that use Apple’s Shortcuts app for automating processes on iOS or iPadOS, the copy action can be set to keep the clipboard locally, which means information copied with the Shortcut will not be available on the Universal Clipboard.

Set up Universal Clipboard