The basic keyboard shortcuts for Mac copy and paste

On a Mac, copying and pasting uses Command key combinations instead of the Control key you may know from Windows. Command is the key with the ⌘ symbol, usually located next to the spacebar.

To copy something, select it with your mouse or trackpad, then press Command + C. The text or image moves to your clipboard — you won't see anything happen, but it's there. To paste what you copied, click where you want it to go and press Command + V. That's the entire process for most copying and pasting on a Mac.

If you want to cut something instead of copying it (removing it from the original location and moving it elsewhere), use Command + X. The keyboard shortcut is the same as Windows, just with Command instead of Control.

Key Takeaways

  • Command + C copies text or images to your clipboard; Command + V pastes them where your cursor is positioned.
  • Command + X cuts content instead of copying, removing it from the original spot and moving it to your clipboard.
  • You can paste the same copied item multiple times until you copy something new, which replaces what's on your clipboard.
  • If pasting doesn't work, check that you actually copied first, that the app you're pasting into allows pasting, and that you're using Command not Control.

Where your copied content actually goes

When you press Command + C, macOS stores what you copied in a temporary holding area called the clipboard. This clipboard only holds one thing at a time. If you copy text, then copy an image, the image replaces the text on your clipboard — the text is gone unless you pasted it somewhere first.

Your clipboard empties when you restart your Mac. If you copied something important and need it to survive a restart, paste it somewhere permanent — a document, email, or note — before shutting down.

Some apps let you see a history of everything you've copied. On newer Macs running macOS Monterey or later, you can open Spotlight (Command + Spacebar), type "clipboard", and look for a clipboard manager app. Older Macs don't have this built in, but third-party clipboard managers exist in the App Store if you find yourself needing to retrieve something you copied hours ago.

Pasting into different types of documents

Pasting works the same way everywhere — Command + V — but what happens next depends on what app you're pasting into. In a text editor like Notes or Word, pasted text appears exactly as it was copied. In a web browser, pasting into a search box or form field works the same way.

Some apps strip out formatting when you paste. If you copy bold text from a website and paste it into an email, the email might show it as plain text without the bold. If you want to keep the original formatting, look for a "Paste and Match Style" option, usually found in the Edit menu. On most Macs, you can also press Command + Option + Shift + V to paste without formatting, though this doesn't work in every app.

When pasting images, the behavior varies. In some apps like Mail or Messages, Command + V pastes the image directly. In others like a web browser, you may need to right-click and select "Paste" from the menu, or the app may not support pasting images at all. If pasting an image doesn't work, try dragging and dropping it instead.

What to do when copy and paste isn't working

If you press Command + V and nothing happens, the most common reason is that you didn't actually copy anything first. Go back to what you want to copy, select it carefully (it should highlight in blue), and press Command + C. Then try pasting again.

The second most common issue is that the app you're trying to paste into doesn't allow pasting. Some password fields, for security reasons, block Command + V. Some older apps or specialized software may not support pasting at all. If an app consistently won't let you paste, check its help menu or contact the app's support to see if there's a setting you need to change.

If copy and paste stopped working everywhere on your Mac, restart the computer. The clipboard system sometimes freezes, and a restart clears it. If the problem persists after a restart, try logging out and back in (Apple menu > Log Out) before restarting the entire machine.

Using copy and paste between your Mac and iPhone or iPad

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or another Mac signed into the same iCloud account, you can copy on one device and paste on another. This feature is called Universal Clipboard. Copy something on your Mac with Command + C, then switch to your iPhone and paste with the standard paste gesture (three-finger tap and select Paste, or Command + V if you have a keyboard connected).

For Universal Clipboard to work, all your devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same iCloud account. The devices also need to be relatively close to each other — within Bluetooth range. If you copy on your Mac and then walk to another room with your iPhone, the clipboard may not sync.

If Universal Clipboard isn't working, check that you're signed into iCloud on both devices (System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on Mac; Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on iPhone). Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and that they're on the same network.

Copying and pasting files and folders

You can copy and paste entire files and folders the same way you copy text. In Finder, click the file or folder you want to copy, press Command + C, then navigate to where you want it and press Command + V. The file or folder appears in the new location, and the original stays where it was (this is copying, not moving).

If you want to move a file instead of copying it, use Command + X instead of Command + C. When you paste with Command + V, the file moves to the new location and disappears from the original spot.

You can also copy multiple files at once. Click the first file, then hold Command and click each additional file you want to copy. They'll all highlight in blue. Press Command + C, navigate to your destination, and press Command + V to paste them all together.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly through the clipboard. If both computers are on the same network, you can use file-sharing apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive to move files between them. For text, you can paste into a shared document or email it. Some third-party apps claim to sync clipboards across Mac and Windows, but they require setup and aren't built into either operating system.

What's the difference between copying and cutting?

Copying (Command + C) leaves the original where it is and puts a duplicate on your clipboard. Cutting (Command + X) removes the original and puts it on your clipboard. When you paste either one, the result looks the same — the item appears in the new location. The difference is whether the original stays behind.

Why does my pasted text look different from what I copied?

The app you're pasting into may be stripping out formatting like bold, italics, or colors. Try using Command + Option + Shift + V to paste without formatting, or look in the Edit menu for "Paste and Match Style". If that doesn't work, the app may not support the formatting you're trying to paste.

Can I paste something I copied a week ago?

No — your clipboard only holds one item at a time, and it clears when you restart your Mac. If you need to save something for later, paste it into a document, note, or email first. Some third-party clipboard manager apps in the App Store can store a history of copied items, but they require installation and setup.

Does copying something use up storage space on my Mac?

No. Copying stores the item temporarily in your clipboard, which uses a tiny amount of memory that's freed as soon as you copy something else or restart. It doesn't affect your Mac's storage drive.