Universal Clipboard Not Working Between iPhone, iPad, Mac

Copying textual content out of your iPhone and pasting it in your Mac affords nice comfort.

However, in case you often use the Universal Clipboard for every day duties, it may be irritating when this characteristic malfunctions.

In this information, I’ll clarify how to troubleshoot the Universal Clipboard when it’s not functioning between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Let’s bounce proper in.

1. Check Universal Clipboard Compatibility and OS Versions

First, guarantee your gadgets are suitable with Universal Clipboard and working the required working system variations:

• Your iPhone and iPad ought to have iOS/iPadOS 10 or newer.
• Your Mac wants macOS Sierra 10.12 or newer.
• All gadgets should be signed into iCloud with the identical Apple ID.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be energetic on every device.
• Ensure all gadgets are related to the identical Wi-Fi network and inside Bluetooth vary.

Related: How to Fix Can’t Select Text to Copy and Paste on iPhone

2. Restart Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Connections

Since Universal Clipboard depends on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, refreshing these connections in your gadgets can usually resolve points.

On Your iPhone/iPad:

1. Swipe down from the higher proper nook to open the Control Center.
2. Tap the Wi-Fi icon to show it off (it turns white).
3. Tap the Bluetooth icon to disable it (the icon will flip white).

4. Wait for 5-10 seconds.
5. Return to the Control Center to reactivate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

On Your Mac:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the Toolbar.
2. Click the toggle next to Wi-Fi to show it off.
3. Click the Bluetooth icon.

4. Turn off Bluetooth using the adjoining toggle change.
5. Wait for 5-10 seconds, then re-enable each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Related: 8 Ways to Fix iPhone Won’t Connect to Bluetooth 

3. Disable and Re-Enable Handoff Feature

Universal Clipboard is part of the Handoff characteristic. Refreshing Handoff can resolve copy-paste points between gadgets.

On Your iPhone/iPad: 

1. Open Settings.
2. Navigate to General > AirPlay & Handoff.
3. Toggle Handoff off after which on once more.

On Your Mac: 

1. Click the Apple emblem within the prime left nook.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Choose General from the sidebar.
4. Under AirDrop & Handoff, disable Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud gadgets.

5. Restart all of your gadgets and re-enable handoff. 

Related: 3 Ways to Fix When Apple ID is Disabled 

4. Sign Out and Re-Log Into Your Apple ID

As talked about above, Universal Clipboard requires the identical Apple account on all gadgets. 

If copy-paste performance is compromised, signal out of your Apple ID on all gadgets and log back in. This course of refreshes account info and knowledge.

On Your iPhone/iPad: 

1. First, open the Settings app. 
2. Tap your Profile on the prime. 
3. Scroll down and choose Sign Out. 

4. If Find My iPhone is energetic, enter your Apple ID password and select Turn Off. 

On Your Mac: 

1. Click on the Apple icon within the prime left nook. 
2. Navigate to System Settings. 
3. Click your Profile within the sidebar. 
4. Select Sign Out and observe the prompts. 

After restarting your gadgets, signal back into your Apple ID.

Related: What You Can Do With An Apple ID Without An Apple Device?

5. Reset Network Settings (iPhone and iPad)

Resetting network settings can resolve points with Handoff, as Universal Clipboard depends upon Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app in your iPhone or iPad.
2. Navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad).
3. Tap Reset.
4. Choose Reset Network Settings and ensure the prompts. 

Related: How to Fix iPhone Not Connecting to Known Wi-Fi Network

6. Execute Custom Terminal Commands (Mac)

If Universal Clipboard nonetheless isn’t working, using particular Terminal instructions can robotically modify your system settings:

1. Open Finder in your Mac. 
2. Navigate to Applications > Utilities. 
3. Double-click Terminal to open it. 
4. In Terminal, enter and execute these instructions sequentially:

defaults learn ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd.plist ClipboardSharingEnabled

defaults write ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd.plist ClipboardSharingEnabled 1

5. Restart your Mac and check the copy-paste performance between gadgets.

Related: How to Fix No Manipulations with Clipboard Allowed Error on Mac

7. Update All Devices to the Latest Software Versions

An underlying software program problem on any of your gadgets may disrupt Handoff and Universal Clipboard. Ensure all gadgets are up to date to the most recent software program variations.

Updating your iPhone/iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. If an update is on the market, faucet Download and Install, then observe the on-screen directions.

To allow automated updates:

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
2. Turn on Download iOS/iPadOS Updates and Install iOS/iPadOS Updates.

Updating your Mac

1. Click the Apple icon within the prime left nook.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Proceed to General > Software Update and observe any accessible update prompts.

Related: How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Preparing Update

FAQs

How do I repair the common clipboard not working?

When the Universal Clipboard isn’t functioning, first strive refreshing the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections in your gadgets. This characteristic depends upon Handoff, which makes use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for inter-device connectivity. Additionally, updating your gadgets can resolve any software program points that may be hindering the Universal Clipboard’s efficiency.

How do I activate common clipboard?

On iPhone/iPad: 

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General > AirPlay & Handoff.
3. Enable Handoff by toggling the change.

On Mac: 

1. Click the Apple emblem on the prime left nook of your display screen.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Select General from the sidebar.
4. In the AirDrop & Handoff part, allow Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud gadgets.

Does common clipboard want wifi?

Yes, Universal Clipboard depends upon Handoff, which requires each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to synchronize gadgets.

If this information helped you, please share it.