Guide
Alternatives to Apple’s Universal Clipboard for Android, iPhone and Windows
Short answer
Apple’s Universal Clipboard only works between Apple devices near each other. To reach Android or Windows, the main options are UniClip (Android, iPhone, iPad and any browser, over the internet), Windows clipboard sync with Microsoft SwiftKey and Phone Link (Android and Windows only), and KDE Connect (free, on the same network). Which fits depends on the devices you own.
The options, compared
| Option | Works on | Cost | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| UniClip | Android, iPhone, iPad; Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS in the browser | Free to start; Pro from $0.99 a week | Files over 1 MB need Pro. Free clips hold 200 characters and disappear after 1 minute |
| Apple’s Universal Clipboard | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro | Free, built in | Apple devices within about 10 metres only |
| Windows clipboard sync with Microsoft SwiftKey | Windows PCs and Android phones | Free | SwiftKey must be the Android keyboard; keeps the latest clip for an hour |
| Phone Link | Windows with Samsung, HONOR, OnePlus, OPPO and some other Android phones | Free, built into Windows | Copy and paste doesn’t work with iPhone |
| Samsung clipboard sharing | Galaxy phones and tablets | Free, built in | Galaxy devices on the same Wi-Fi and Samsung account only |
| KDE Connect | Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Linux | Free, open source | Same network only; on phones you send the clipboard by hand |
| CrossPaste | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad | Free and open source on computers | Same local network only |
| Pushbullet | Android and Windows | Universal copy and paste needs Pro: $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year | No iPhone |
Which one to choose
- Only Apple devices, used side by side: Apple’s Universal Clipboard is already there and costs nothing.
- An Android phone and a Windows PC, nothing else: Windows clipboard sync with Microsoft SwiftKey, or Phone Link on a supported phone.
- Only Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets: Samsung’s own clipboard sharing.
- A mix that includes an iPhone or iPad and Android or Windows: a cross-platform app. iOS doesn’t let apps read the clipboard in the background, so on iPhone every option works by sending on purpose.
- Devices on the same network, and you are happy to set things up: KDE Connect and CrossPaste are free and open source on computers.
- Devices far apart, or a clipboard history you can search on every device: UniClip, which goes over the internet and keeps clips on Pro.
How UniClip works
Send text on purpose: from Android’s selection menu (Copy to Universal Clipboard), the iPhone and iPad share sheet, the web app on a computer, or the Chrome extension. It appears on your other devices, and one tap copies it. On Free, clips of up to 200 characters reach all your devices and disappear after 1 minute. Pro keeps every clip until you delete it, in a searchable history on every device.
It never reads your clipboard in the background, clips go only to devices you sign in or link, and they are encrypted in transit and at rest, though not end-to-end, so don’t send passwords.
Questions
Is there a Universal Clipboard for Android and Windows?
Not from Apple. Windows can sync its clipboard with Android through Microsoft SwiftKey, and apps such as UniClip share a clipboard between Android, iPhone, iPad and Windows.
What is the best universal clipboard app for iPhone and Android?
One that runs on both and doesn’t need the phones to be near each other. UniClip works over the internet on Android, iPhone and iPad and in any computer’s browser, and is free to start.
Is there a free universal clipboard app?
Yes. KDE Connect is free and open source. UniClip is free to start, with clips of up to 200 characters that disappear after 1 minute; Pro removes those limits.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between your Apple devices
- Mac User Guide: Copy and paste between your Mac and other Apple devices
- Microsoft Support: Copy and paste text between Microsoft SwiftKey and Windows
- Microsoft Support: Copy and paste between your Android phone and PC with Phone Link
- Samsung Support: Share the clipboard across Galaxy devices
- KDE Connect: download for each platform
- CrossPaste: platforms and how it syncs
- Pushbullet blog: Introducing Universal Copy & Paste
- Pushbullet on Google Play
UniClip – Universal Clipboard is an independent app by KharagEdition, not made by or affiliated with Apple, Google, Microsoft or Samsung. Facts about their products come from the sources above.