By Evan 
As a part of the Apple ecosystem, you can copy and paste content from one Apple device to another. Thanks to the Universal Clipboard feature. This means you can copy text, videos, images, URLs, and more between your iPhone and Mac. Even though it should be a fairly effortless process, there are times when Universal Clipboard doesn’t work as it should. And, you are not able to copy-paste things between your Apple devices (iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro).
If you have been struggling with this issue for a long time, you can consider this post as your go-to guide. Before looking at ways to fix the issue, let’s have a look at some common reasons why this issue may surface in the first place.
How Do I Set Up Universal Clipboard?
First, make sure if you have set up Universal Clipboard correctly. Here are the steps to configure the Universal Clipboard feature –
- Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both of your devices – iPhone and Mac.
- Ensure that both devices are using the same Apple ID.
- Although the Handoff feature is turned on by default, here’s how you can enable it, if not already enabled –
On an iPhone/ iPad
Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff), then turn on Handoff.
On A Mac
Click on the Apple menu > System Settings > click on General in the sidebar, click AirDrop & Handoff option that you can see on the right. Turn on Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
- Bring your iPhone close to your Mac. There are times when you may not be able to use the Universal Clipboard feature to copy content because of proximity issues. So, ensure that both the devices are physically close to each other.
Please note – When you copy content – text, image, video, file, or other content on one device, it will be added to the clipboard of the nearby device. It will stay there, until you replace it by copying something else, either on your Mac or iPhone.
Why Won’t Universal Clipboard Work On My Apple Device?
- The Handoff feature is not properly set up. You can refer to the points above and check if you have set up the Universal Clipboard correctly on your Apple devices.
- You should have an iPhone running iOS 10 or later, a Mac running macOS Sierra or later, or an Apple Vision Pro.
- You are not signed into iCloud on both devices using the same Apple ID.
- Airplane mode is enabled.
What To Do If Universal Clipboard Is Not Working Between iPhone and Mac, or Vice Versa? (Best Fixes)
If you have followed the basic steps correctly and if still Universal Clipboard is not working as it should, here are some fixes that may resolve the issue for you –
Solution No.1 – Restart Both Your Devices
Sometimes even the major issues, whether on Mac or iPhone require a quick restart. Before you try out any advanced measures, restart both your Mac and iPhone.
Once you have rebooted both devices, try and copy-paste content using the Universal Clipboard feature.
Solution No.2 – Update Your Mac, iPhone and iPad
If it has been a while since you checked your iOS devices and Mac for updates, you may want to do it now. Bugs sometimes disrupt the normal functions of Apple devices and a single update can resolve it.
To Update iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates
To Update macOS
Step 1 – Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
Step 2 – Click on General from the sidebar > click on Software Update. If there is an update available, click on Update Now.
Solution No.3 – Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Off and On
Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are crucial for the Universal Clipboard feature. You can switch them off for a while and then re-enable them.
On Your iPhone or iPad –
Go to Settings, toggle off the Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and after a few seconds toggle them back on.
On A Mac –
Locate the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the upper-right corner, toggle them off, wait for a few seconds, and toggle them back on.
Reboot both your Mac and iPhone. You can now try copy-pasting files between devices using the Universal Clipboard feature.
Solution No.4 – Turn Airplane Mode On and Off
It could be that you have mistakenly enabled your Airplane mode. This mode switches off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and can cause connectivity issues (for instance, not being able to pair the Apple Watch).
Even if it’s not enabled, you can once enable and disable it to refresh the wireless protocols. To do that, open the Control Center and tap on the Airplane icon. Wait for around 10 seconds, and disable it.
Once you have performed this step, try copy-pasting a paragraph, image, audio file, etc between your Mac and iPhone or vice-versa.
Solution No.5 – Reset Network Settings On Your iPhone
While not very common, network settings can play a spoilsport when it comes to using features involving wireless transmission. To fix this one of the best troubleshooting steps is to reset network settings. To do that –
Step 1 – Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2 – Tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3 – Tap on Reset > Reset Network Settings
Enter your password and proceed. Once you have reset your network settings, go ahead and try copy-pasting content or files between your iPhone and Mac.
Solution No.6 – Ensure That You Have Enabled Bluetooth Sharing On Your Mac
This small workaround has worked wonders for many users who couldn’t copy-paste content using the Universal Clipboard feature. To check if you have Bluetooth Sharing enabled on your Mac follow the steps below –
Step 1 – Go to System Settings.
Step 2 – Go to General > Sharing
Step 3 – Ensure that the Bluetooth Sharing switch is toggled on.
Copy-Paste Things Between Your Apple Devices Like A Pro
The Universal Clipboard feature is such a wonderful power to have. Let’s say you want to copy-paste an image from your iPhone to Mac. You can easily do that provided that you don’t hit any boulders when using the Universal Clipboard feature.
If you have been able to fix the issue, let us know the solution that helped you fix the problem. Also, we’d urge you to share this post with your friends who are going through the same problem. For more such content, keep reading Tweak Library.
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