The basic method: three fingers or the menu

On an iPad, you copy and paste the same way you do on a computer, but without a keyboard shortcut — unless you have a keyboard attached. The simplest method uses three fingers: tap and hold the text or image you want to copy, then swipe three fingers down on the screen. A menu appears with the word "Copy" at the top. Tap it. The text or image is now stored in your clipboard.

To paste, open the app or document where you want the content to go, tap where you want it to appear, then swipe three fingers up. The "Paste" option will show. Tap it, and the content appears.

If the three-finger gesture does not work for you — some people find it awkward — you can use the traditional menu method instead. Tap and hold on the text or image until a menu pops up. Look for "Copy" in that menu and tap it. Then navigate to where you want to paste, tap and hold again, and select "Paste" from the menu that appears.

Key Takeaways

  • The three-finger swipe down copies text or images; three fingers up pastes them into a new location.
  • If gestures do not work, tap and hold the content to open a menu with Copy and Paste options.
  • You can copy from one app and paste into another — the clipboard holds the content until you copy something new.
  • On an iPad with a keyboard, you can also use Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste, just like on a computer.

Using the menu method when gestures are difficult

Not everyone finds three-finger gestures comfortable, especially if you have limited hand mobility or are holding the iPad in one hand. The menu method works just as well and requires only one hand.

Press and hold your finger on the text or image for about one second. A menu will appear with options including Copy, Cut, and sometimes Look Up or Share. Tap "Copy." The content is now in your clipboard. You do not need to do anything else — the iPad remembers it.

When you are ready to paste, open the app where you want the content. Tap the spot where you want it to go, then press and hold again. A new menu appears. Tap "Paste," and the content appears when ready.

Copying and pasting between different apps

One of the most useful features of copy and paste is that it works across apps. You can copy text from Safari, paste it into Notes. Copy an image from Photos, paste it into Mail. The clipboard does not care which app you are in.

The process is identical: copy from the first app using either the three-finger swipe or the menu method, then switch to the second app, tap where you want the content, and paste. The content stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, so you can paste the same thing multiple times if you need to.

One thing to watch: if you copy something and then copy something else, the first item is gone. The clipboard only holds one thing at a time. If you need to keep multiple pieces of text or images, paste them into a Notes document first, then copy them one at a time when you need them.

Selecting text before you copy

Sometimes you do not want to copy an entire block of text — you want just one sentence or phrase. On an iPad, you can select exactly what you want before copying.

Tap and hold on the first word of the text you want to copy. A menu appears. Tap "Select" or "Select All" depending on what you see. If you tap "Select," you can then drag the blue handles that appear to highlight only the portion you want. Once the right text is highlighted in blue, tap "Copy" from the menu.

Alternatively, double-tap a single word to select just that word, then drag the blue handles to expand the selection to include the surrounding words you want. This method gives you precise control over what gets copied.

What happens if paste is grayed out

Sometimes you tap and hold, and the "Paste" option appears but is grayed out — you cannot tap it. This usually means one of two things: either you have not copied anything yet, or the app does not allow pasting in that particular location.

If you have not copied anything, go back to the app where your content is, copy it again using the three-finger swipe or the menu method, and try pasting again. If you have copied something and Paste is still grayed out, the app may not support pasting in that field. For example, some password fields do not allow pasting for security reasons. In those cases, you will need to type the content manually.

Using copy and paste with a keyboard

If you have an iPad keyboard — either the built-in Smart Keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard — you can use the same keyboard shortcuts you would use on a computer. Press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. (On some keyboards, you may need to use Command instead of Ctrl, depending on the keyboard type.)

The keyboard method is faster if you are already typing, because you do not have to lift your hands to use gestures. However, the three-finger swipe and menu methods work just as well if you prefer not to use a keyboard or do not have one attached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste images the same way as text?

Yes. Tap and hold on an image until the menu appears, then tap "Copy." Navigate to where you want to paste it — Mail, Notes, Photos, or another app — tap and hold, and tap "Paste." The image appears in the new location.

What if I copy something by accident and want to get the old thing back?

Once you copy something new, the previous item is gone from your clipboard. There is no undo for the clipboard itself. If you need to keep multiple items, paste them all into a Notes document first, then copy them one at a time as you need them.

Does copy and paste work in web browsers on iPad?

Yes. In Safari or any other browser, tap and hold on text or an image, tap "Copy," then switch to another app and paste. You can also copy a link by tapping and holding on it and selecting "Copy Link," then paste it into Mail, Messages, or Notes.

Why does my three-finger swipe not work sometimes?

Three-finger gestures can be finicky if your fingers are not close enough together or if you swipe too quickly or too slowly. If it does not work, switch to the tap-and-hold menu method instead — it is more reliable and works in every app.