The basic keyboard shortcuts on Mac
On any Apple computer running macOS, copy and paste work the same way they do on Windows — you just use different keys. Press Command+C to copy something you've selected, and Command+V to paste it. Command is the key with the ⌘ symbol, usually next to the spacebar.
To select text or an image before copying, click at the start, hold Shift, and click at the end. Or click and drag to highlight what you want. Once it's highlighted, Command+C sends it to the clipboard. Then click where you want it to go and press Command+V.
You can also cut text instead of copying it — that removes it from the original location. Use Command+X for cut. The pasted version will appear wherever your cursor is, and the original will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- Command+C copies, Command+V pastes, and Command+X cuts on any Mac — these work the same way across all Apple computers.
- You can paste the same copied item as many times as you want until you copy something else, which replaces it in the clipboard.
- Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another if they're signed into the same iCloud account and nearby.
- If paste is greyed out or does nothing, force-quit the app and try again, or restart your Mac if the problem persists across multiple programs.
- Clipboard history is not built into macOS by default, but third-party apps like Paste and ClipboardManager Pro can store multiple copied items.
How Universal Clipboard works across Apple devices
If you own multiple Apple devices — a Mac, iPad, or iPhone — you can copy on one and paste on another without any extra steps. This is called Universal Clipboard, and it works automatically if both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via Bluetooth.
Copy something on your Mac with Command+C, then switch to your iPad or iPhone and paste with Command+V (on iPad with a keyboard) or by tapping and holding and selecting Paste. The clipboard syncs within a few seconds. This works in the opposite direction too — copy on your phone, paste on your Mac.
If Universal Clipboard is not working, check that both devices are signed into the same iCloud account in Settings. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop and make sure it's turned on. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > AirDrop. Both devices also need to be within Bluetooth range, usually about 30 feet.
Pasting without formatting on Mac
When you paste text from a website or a formatted document, it often brings along the original formatting — bold, italics, colors, fonts. If you want just the plain text without any of that styling, use Command+Option+Shift+V instead of Command+V. This is called "paste and match style," and it strips away everything except the words themselves.
This is useful when you're copying from a web page into an email or a document where you want consistent formatting. The plain text will adopt whatever font and size your current document uses, rather than keeping the original formatting from where you copied it.
Some apps like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have their own paste options in the Edit menu, which may give you more control over what formatting gets pasted. If Command+Option+Shift+V does not work in a particular app, try the Edit menu to see what paste options are available.
What to do when paste is greyed out or not working
If the Paste option is greyed out in the menu, or if you press Command+V and nothing happens, the most common cause is that the app has frozen or is not responding properly. Try force-quitting the app: press Command+Option+Escape, select the app from the list, and click Force Quit. Then reopen it and try pasting again.
If paste still does not work across multiple apps, restart your Mac. Shut down completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. This clears the clipboard and resets the system in a way that often fixes copy-paste problems that survive a single app restart.
Another less common cause is that your clipboard is empty — you copied something but it was replaced when you copied something else. Make sure you have actually copied something recently by copying a straightforward word or phrase and trying to paste that first. If pasting works for new content but not old content, the old item is straightforward no longer in your clipboard.
Copying and pasting on iPad and iPhone
On iPad and iPhone, copy and paste work through the touchscreen. Select the text or image you want by tapping and holding until a menu appears, then tap Copy. Move to where you want to paste, tap and hold again, and select Paste from the menu.
On iPad with a keyboard attached, you can use Command+C and Command+V just like on a Mac. The keyboard shortcuts are faster if you're typing a lot. On iPhone, there is no keyboard shortcut — you have to use the tap-and-hold menu every time.
If you have trouble selecting text on iPhone, try double-tapping a word first. This selects that word, and then you can drag the blue handles at either end to expand the selection to include more text. Once you have what you want highlighted, tap Copy.
Using the clipboard with multiple items
By default, your Mac's clipboard holds only one item at a time. When you copy something new, it replaces whatever you copied before. If you need to copy several things and paste them in different places, you have to copy one, paste it, then copy the next one.
If you find yourself copying and pasting many items in a row, a clipboard manager app can help. Apps like Paste, ClipboardManager Pro, and Copied store a history of everything you copy, so you can go back and paste something you copied five minutes ago without copying it again. Most of these apps cost a few dollars and run in the background, showing a small menu when you need to pick from your clipboard history.
Some clipboard managers also let you organize clips into categories, search through your history, or sync your clipboard across devices. If you do a lot of copy-paste work, one of these apps can save time, but for everyday use the built-in clipboard is usually enough.
Copying images and files on Mac
You can copy images the same way you copy text — select the image, press Command+C, then Command+V to paste it into another app. This works for images in web browsers, email, Photos, and most other apps. The image goes into your clipboard and can be pasted into a document, email, or messaging app.
For files and folders, you can also copy them with Command+C and paste them into a different folder with Command+V. This creates a copy of the file in the new location while keeping the original where it was. If you want to move the file instead of copying it, use Command+X (cut) and then Command+V (paste), which removes it from the original folder.
Some apps do not support pasting images or files directly. If you try to paste and nothing happens, the app may not have that feature. In that case, you may need to drag and drop the image or file instead, or use the app's own import or open dialog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what's in my clipboard right now?
Not directly — macOS does not have a built-in way to view your clipboard contents without pasting. You can paste into a blank document to see what's there, or use a clipboard manager app that shows your history. On iPhone and iPad, there is no way to view the clipboard at all without pasting.
What happens to my clipboard when I shut down my Mac?
The clipboard is cleared when you shut down or restart. Anything you copied will be gone after a restart. If you need to save something you copied, paste it into a document and save that document before restarting.
Why does pasting sometimes look different than what I copied?
If you copied formatted text, the app you paste into may change the formatting to match its own style. Use Command+Option+Shift+V to paste as plain text if you want to avoid this. Some apps also have their own paste options in the Edit menu that let you control what formatting gets pasted.
Can I copy and paste between my Mac and a Windows computer?
Not directly through the clipboard — they do not share one. You would need to use a file-sharing service like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive, or email the file to yourself. Universal Clipboard only works between Apple devices.
What if I accidentally copied the wrong thing and need to get back what I copied before?
Once you copy something new, the old item is gone from the clipboard unless you use a clipboard manager app. If you do not have one, your only option is to undo the paste (Command+Z) if you already pasted it, or to copy the item again if you remember where it was.