If the Universal Clipboard is not working on your Mac or iPhone, it is likely that one of your devices is not compatible with this feature or something is not configured properly on your iPhone or Mac.
Universal Clipboard Not Working On Mac
As most computer users are aware, Clipboard is a temporary storage location that stores whatever you copy and makes it available for pasting elsewhere within the same device.
Universal Clipboard Feature in Apple Devices extends this concept further, allowing you to copy and paste content between multiple devices – Mac to iPhone, iPad and vice versa.
In general, the Universal Clipboard feature should work as long as it is configured properly. Since, you are having problems with this feature, let us make sure that your Devices are compatible with Universal Clipboard Feature and they are properly Configured to use Universal Clipboard.
Also, you need to be aware of the following facts about Universal Clipboard
- Universal Clipboard remains active only for about 2 minutes, anything that you try to paste after 2 minutes will not work.
- Universal Clipboard has its own limitations. While you can copy text from Mac to anywhere on iPhone, images can only be pasted into dedicated apps (Notes, Keynotes, Pages).
- The Paste function may also take its own time, in case your internet connection is not strong.
- The feature works best on a WiFi Network
Universal Clipboard Compatible Devices
According to Apple, you will need a Mac running macOS Sierra or later and an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 or later. In other words, you need a 2012 or later version of Mac and iPhone 5 or later version of iPhone.
Here is a list of Universal Clipboard compatible devices, as provided by Apple.
WiFi Requirements
Make sure that both Mac and iPhone are connected to the same WiFi Network.
1. On iPhone, tap on Settings > WiFi
2. On the next screen, make sure WiFi is enabled and connected to Your WiFi Network (See image below)
Check WiFi Network on Mac
1. On your Mac, click on the WiFi Icon located at the top right corner of your screen and make sure that you are connected to the same WiFi Network as on your iPhone (See image below).
Use Same iCloud Account On Both Devices
The Universal Clipboard Feature requires that you are signed into the Same iCloud Account on both devices. Hence, make sure that you are signed into the same Apple ID on Mac and iPhone or iPad.
1. On your iPhone, tap on Settings and then tap on your Apple ID on the Settings screen (See image below).
2. On the next screen, make sure that you are signed into the same Apple ID as your Mac.
Check Apple ID on Mac
1. Click on the Apple Icon in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on iCloud.
3. On the next screen, make sure that you are signed into the same Apple ID as your iPhone.
If you are signed into the same iCloud Account on both devices and still Universal Clipboard is not working, it is possible that iCloud has become glitchy on one of your devices.
Important: Even if you are signed into the same Apple ID on both devices. It is important that you sign-out of iCloud on both devices and sign-in back again, in order to fix minor glitches which might be causing the problem with Universal Clipboard on any of your devices.
Enable Handoff On Both Devices
Universal Clipboard feature requires that you Enable the Handoff option on both iPhone and Mac.
1. From the Home Screen of your iPhone, Tap on Settings > General.
2. On the General Screen, tap on Handoff.
3. On the next screen, toggle ON the option for Handoff (See image below)
Enable Handoff on Mac
1. Click on the Apple Icon in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on the General option.
3. On the General screen, scroll down and enable the option to Allow Handoff between this Mac and iCloud devices (See image below).
Enable Bluetooth On Both Devices
In order to use Universal Clipboard Feature, there needs to be a Bluetooth connection between your Mac and iPhone. Hence, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled, both on your Mac and iPhone.
1. On your iPhone, tap on Settings > Bluetooth.
2. On the Bluetooth screen, toggle ON the option for Bluetooth (See image below)
Turn On Bluetooth On Mac
1. On your Mac, click on the Bluetooth Icon located at the top right corner of your screen and then click on Turn Bluetooth On option in the drop-down menu (See image below).
In case you are unable to find the Bluetooth Icon on Mac, you can enable Bluetooth from the System Preferences screen.
1. Click on the Apple Icon in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on the Bluetooth option.
3. On the Bluetooth screen, simply click on Turn Bluetooth On button (See image below).
Enable Back to My Mac iCloud Option
Follow the steps below to enable Back to My Mac iCloud option on your Mac.
1. Click on the Apple Icon in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on iCloud option.
3. On the iCloud Screen, scroll down and Enable Back To My Mac option (See image below).
Enable Bluetooth Sharing on Mac
1. Click on the Apple Icon in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on the Sharing option.
3. On the Sharing Screen, enable the option for Bluetooth Sharing (See image below)
Universal Clipboard still appears to be a work in progress and it is not uncommon to find it glitchy or not working periodically even after being properly setup.
