The basic keyboard shortcuts for Mac

On a Mac, copying and pasting uses three keyboard shortcuts. Command+C copies text or an item to your clipboard. Command+V pastes it where your cursor is. Command+X cuts the item — removing it from the original location and copying it to your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere.

These shortcuts work in almost every Mac application: web browsers, email, word processors, notes apps, and spreadsheets. Select the text or item you want to copy by clicking and dragging across it, then press Command+C. Move to where you want to paste it, click to place your cursor there, and press Command+V.

If you make a mistake, Command+Z undoes your last action. You can undo multiple times by pressing Command+Z repeatedly, stepping backward through your recent changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Command+C copies, Command+V pastes, and Command+X cuts on any Mac — these shortcuts work across all applications.
  • On iPad and iPhone, you can copy and paste by selecting text, tapping Copy from the menu, then tapping Paste where you want it.
  • Your clipboard holds only one item at a time, so copying something new replaces what was there before.
  • Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another if they are signed into the same iCloud account and near each other.

Copying and pasting on iPad and iPhone

On iPad and iPhone, the process is slightly different because you do not have a keyboard by default. Select the text or item you want to copy by tapping and holding it until a menu appears. Tap Copy from the menu that shows up.

Move to where you want to paste the text. Tap and hold in that location, then tap Paste from the menu. The text or item appears instantly. You can also use a physical keyboard connected to your iPad — Command+C and Command+V work the same way they do on a Mac.

On iPhone, copying and pasting works identically. Tap and hold to select, tap Copy, then tap and hold where you want to paste and select Paste. This works in messages, email, notes, web browsers, and most other apps.

What happens to items you copy

When you copy something, it goes into your clipboard — a temporary holding area in your device's memory. Your clipboard stores only one item at a time. If you copy a new piece of text, it replaces whatever was there before. You can paste the same item multiple times before copying something else.

If you close an app or restart your device, the clipboard usually clears. This means if you copy something important and then restart your Mac, that item will no longer be available to paste. For items you need to keep, paste them into a document or notes app rather than leaving them only in the clipboard.

Using Universal Clipboard across devices

If you own multiple Apple devices — a Mac, iPad, and iPhone — you can copy on one device and paste on another using Universal Clipboard. This feature works automatically when your devices are signed into the same iCloud account and are near each other (usually within Bluetooth range).

Copy something on your Mac using Command+C. Switch to your iPad or iPhone, and paste using the Paste menu or Command+V if you have a keyboard connected. The item you copied on the Mac appears instantly. This works in both directions — copy on your iPhone and paste on your Mac the same way.

If Universal Clipboard is not working, check that all your devices are signed into the same iCloud account in System Preferences (on Mac) or Settings (on iPad and iPhone). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the devices are within range of each other.

Copying images, files, and links

Copying works the same way for images, files, and links as it does for text. Right-click an image in a web browser and select Copy Image from the menu. You can then paste it into an email, document, or messaging app. On iPad and iPhone, tap and hold the image, then tap Copy.

To copy a link, right-click it on Mac and select Copy Link. On iPad and iPhone, tap and hold the link and tap Copy Link. You can then paste the link into a message, email, or document. This works for web links, email addresses, and file paths.

Files work differently — you cannot copy and paste files the same way you copy text. Instead, use drag and drop to move files between folders, or use the Finder (on Mac) or Files app (on iPad and iPhone) to organize them. You can copy file paths by right-clicking a file and selecting Copy as Pathname on Mac.

Troubleshooting when paste is not working

If you press Command+V and nothing happens, the most common reason is that you have not actually copied anything yet. Go back to the text or item you want to copy, select it, and press Command+C. Then try pasting again.

Another reason paste might not work is that the app you are trying to paste into does not support pasting. Some apps, particularly games or specialized tools, do not allow you to paste content. Try pasting into a different app to see if the problem is with the app or with your clipboard.

If you are trying to paste between devices using Universal Clipboard and it is not working, restart both devices and make sure they are signed into the same iCloud account. Check that Bluetooth is on and the devices are close to each other. If it still does not work, sign out of iCloud on both devices and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste between a Mac and a Windows computer?

No, Universal Clipboard only works between Apple devices. To move text between a Mac and a Windows computer, you can email it to yourself, use a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox, or use a third-party app designed for cross-platform clipboard sharing.

What if I copy something and then close the app?

Your clipboard usually stays intact when you close an app. The item remains in your clipboard until you copy something else or restart your device. However, some apps clear the clipboard when they close, so if you need to keep something, paste it into a document first.

Is there a way to see what is in my clipboard?

On Mac, there is no built-in way to view your clipboard history. Third-party apps like Paste and Clipboard Manager can store multiple copied items so you can choose which one to paste. On iPad and iPhone, you can see what was recently copied in some apps, but there is no system-wide clipboard viewer.

Can I copy and paste from a PDF on Mac?

Yes. Open the PDF in Preview or any PDF reader, select the text you want by clicking and dragging, then press Command+C. You can paste the text into any other app. Some PDFs have copy protection that prevents this — if you cannot select text, the PDF creator has restricted copying.

Does copying something use data or internet?

No. Copying and pasting happens entirely on your device and does not use internet or cellular data. Universal Clipboard between devices uses a local connection and does not send your clipboard contents to Apple's servers.