The basic steps to copy and paste on Facebook
To copy text on Facebook, tap and hold the words you want to copy until a menu appears with a Copy option. On a computer, click and drag to select the text, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). To paste that text elsewhere, tap or click where you want it to go and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac), or tap Paste from the menu that appears.
The process works the same whether you are copying a comment, a post caption, a message, or text from someone else's profile. Facebook does not block copying — the text you see on your screen is yours to copy and use. The platform does not prevent you from moving text between Facebook and other apps or documents.
On mobile devices, the exact menu options depend on whether you use iPhone or Android. Both systems show a Copy button when you hold your finger on text long enough for the selection menu to appear. Some text, like links within posts, may show additional options like Copy Link instead of Copy.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold text on mobile or click and drag on a computer to select it, then choose Copy from the menu that appears.
- Use Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste copied text into Facebook posts, comments, messages, or any other app.
- Facebook does not prevent you from copying text — anything visible on your screen can be copied and moved elsewhere.
- Images and videos require different steps than text; right-clicking an image and choosing Copy Image works on computers, but mobile copying of images is more limited.
Copying text from Facebook posts and comments
When you want to copy a Facebook post or someone's comment, select the text by tapping and holding on mobile or clicking and dragging on a computer. A menu will pop up with options — tap or click Copy. The text is now in your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere: into a message, an email, a document, another social media app, or a notes app.
If you want to copy an entire post rather than just part of it, you can select all the text in that post the same way. Some posts include links — if you want just the link rather than the surrounding text, look for a Copy Link option in the menu, which copies the URL to the post itself rather than the words in it.
Copying comments works identically. Hold or click and drag over the comment text, then select Copy. This is useful if you want to quote someone in a message or save their words in a document for reference.
Copying and pasting messages and private conversations
Text in Facebook Messenger — both in one-on-one conversations and group chats — can be copied the same way as posts. Tap and hold a message on mobile or click and drag to select text within a message on a computer, then choose Copy. You can then paste it into another message, a different app, or anywhere else you need it.
Facebook does not prevent you from copying messages you receive or messages you have sent yourself. If you want to save a conversation or share part of it elsewhere, copying individual messages is the fastest way to do that.
Copying images and links from Facebook
Images and links work differently than text. On a computer, right-click an image and choose Copy Image to copy the image file itself, or Copy Image Link to copy the URL where that image lives. Pasting the image link into another website or app will show the image; pasting the image file itself works in documents, image editors, and some messaging apps.
On mobile devices, tap and hold an image to see options. You may see Copy, Copy Image, or Save Image depending on your device and app version. Save Image stores the image to your phone's photo library rather than your clipboard, so you cannot paste it directly — you would open it from your photos instead.
Links within Facebook posts can be copied by tapping and holding the link text on mobile or right-clicking on a computer. Choose Copy Link to grab the URL. This is different from copying the text around the link — it gives you just the web address.
What happens when you paste copied Facebook content elsewhere
Once you paste text from Facebook into another app, document, or website, that text belongs to wherever you pasted it. Facebook does not track what you do with copied text, and you do not need Facebook's permission to paste it. The text is no longer connected to Facebook — it is just text in a new location.
If you paste a Facebook link into another app or website, that link still points back to Facebook. If the original post is deleted or made private, the link may stop working. But the act of pasting the link does not notify the original poster or Facebook that you have shared it.
Pasting images works the same way. Once an image is pasted into a document or another app, it is a separate copy — changes to the original image on Facebook do not affect the pasted version.
Limitations and what you cannot copy
Some Facebook content cannot be copied because it is restricted by the person who posted it. If a post is set to private or visible only to certain people, you still cannot copy it if you do not have permission to see it in the first place. You can only copy what is visible to you on your screen.
Certain interactive elements — like poll options, reaction buttons, or embedded videos — do not copy as functional elements. If you copy text that mentions a poll, you get the text but not the working poll itself. Videos require different handling; you cannot copy a video file from Facebook by selecting and copying it like text.
Some third-party apps or browser extensions claim to enhance copying on Facebook, but they are not necessary. The built-in copy and paste functions on your device work fine for all text, links, and images on Facebook.
Copying on different devices and browsers
The copy and paste process is nearly identical across devices, but the exact menu wording varies slightly. On iPhone, you see Copy in a menu that appears after you tap and hold. On Android, the menu looks similar but may say Copy or Copy Text. On a computer using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, right-clicking shows a Copy option.
Keyboard shortcuts are consistent: Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+C and Command+V on Mac. These work in the Facebook website and in the Facebook app on computers. On mobile, you rely on the tap-and-hold menu rather than keyboard shortcuts, though some keyboards connected to tablets do support the keyboard shortcuts.
If copy and paste is not working on Facebook, the issue is usually with your device or browser, not Facebook itself. Try refreshing the page, closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device. If the problem continues, check that your browser or app is up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook notify someone if I copy their post?
No. Facebook does not send notifications when you copy text, images, or links from someone's post or comment. The person who posted it has no way to know that you copied it unless you tell them or share it publicly somewhere they will see it.
Can I copy a video from Facebook?
You cannot copy a video file by selecting and copying it like text. However, you can copy the link to a video by right-clicking it on a computer or tapping and holding on mobile, then choosing Copy Link. Pasting that link elsewhere will show the video. To read a video file itself, you would need a separate video read tool, which may violate Facebook's terms depending on the video's copyright.
What if someone deletes a post after I copy it?
The text you copied stays in your clipboard and in whatever document or app you pasted it into. Deleting the original post does not erase the copy you made. If you pasted a link to the post, that link will stop working once the post is deleted.
Can I copy text from a private Facebook profile?
Only if you can see it. If a profile is set to private and you are not friends with that person, you cannot see their posts and therefore cannot copy them. If you are friends or if the post is visible to you for another reason, you can copy it the same way as any other post.
Why is copy and paste not working on Facebook?
The most common causes are an outdated app or browser, a temporary glitch, or a device setting that blocks clipboard access. Try closing and reopening the Facebook app, refreshing the webpage, or restarting your device. On mobile, check that Facebook has permission to access your clipboard in your device settings.