Official documentation
Use Universal Clipboard on your Mac
Apple Inc., n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- Apple's Mac User Guide page on Universal Clipboard. It explains how to copy on one Apple device and paste on another nearby device, lists what both devices need, and gives examples that run between a Mac, an iPad and an iPhone.
- How much weight it carries
- Official Apple documentation. It names the requirements and examples but does not describe how long copied content stays available or which device is used when several are nearby.
Facts taken from this source
- Apple says Universal Clipboard needs Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff turned on for both devices.
“Both devices have Wi-Fi , Bluetooth ®, and Handoff turned on” (Before you begin; Universal Clipboard isn't working)
- Apple's troubleshooting says that if Universal Clipboard is difficult to get working, you should restart your devices and try again.
“If you’re having difficulty getting Universal Clipboard to work, restart your devices and try again.” (Universal Clipboard isn't working)
- Apple says both devices must meet minimum system requirements for Universal Clipboard.
“Both devices meet minimum system requirements for Universal Clipboard” (Before you begin)
- Apple describes Universal Clipboard as a way to copy content from one of your Apple devices and paste it on another. Its examples run from a Mac to an iPhone and from an iPad to a Mac.
“copy content from one of your Apple devices and paste it on another” (Copy and paste between your Mac and other devices)
- Apple's Universal Clipboard example copies text on an iPad and pastes it into a note on a Mac.
“copy text on your iPad and paste it into a note on your Mac” (Universal Clipboard introduction)
- Apple's Universal Clipboard example copies a URL on a Mac and pastes it into Safari on an iPhone.
“copy a URL on your Mac and paste it into Safari on your iPhone” (Universal Clipboard introduction)
- Apple says Universal Clipboard needs both devices to be signed in to the same Apple Account.
“signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices” (Before you begin)
- Apple says that once you copy content, it is available on the Clipboard for a short time, so you should paste it soon after copying.
“available on your Clipboard for a short time” (Copy and paste between your Mac and other devices)
- Apple says Universal Clipboard is best for sharing small selections of text or copied images between devices, and that for multiple files you should use a sync feature instead.
“Universal Clipboard is best for sharing small selections of text or copied images between devices” (Copy and paste between your Mac and other devices)
- Apple says that for Universal Clipboard to work, your devices must be within 30 feet (10 meters) of one another.
“Your devices must be within 30 feet (10 meters) of one another.” (If Universal Clipboard isn't working)