How to copy and paste between Android and Mac
Android and Mac can’t share a clipboard on their own: Apple’s Universal Clipboard only works between Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account. You need a third-party app. MyClippy connects an Android phone and a Mac on the same private Wi-Fi, so text or a link you copy on one is ready to paste on the other. Android needs one optional permission to copy automatically.
Does Apple’s Universal Clipboard work with Android?
No. Apple documents Universal Clipboard for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro. Each device must be signed in with the same Apple Account, be near the others, and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff turned on. An Android phone can’t meet those requirements, whatever its brand.
That is why Android and Mac users rely on a third-party app, or on workarounds such as messaging themselves. See ways to stop sending links to yourself if that is your current habit.
Your options for Android and Mac
| Option | Android → Mac | Connection | Platforms | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyClippy | Automatic after optional Accessibility setup, or Share / Send clipboard | Same private Wi-Fi; Mac app open | Android, Mac (Apple silicon), Windows | Free pilot |
| KDE Connect | Tap “Send clipboard” on Android 10 and later | Same network | Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS | Free, open source |
| ClipRelay | Automatic detection is listed as experimental | Bluetooth Low Energy | Android 11+, macOS 13+ | Free |
| LocalSend | Choose the text and send it each time | Local Wi-Fi | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux | Free, open source |
| Message yourself | Paste into a chat or email, then copy it on the Mac | Internet | Any | Free |
Other products are described from their own documentation as of 28 September 2026; we tested only MyClippy. See the full comparison.
Set up MyClippy on Android and Mac
MyClippy is a free pilot made by Intelligentia Studios. It shares plain text and links over your local network, with no account or cloud service.
- On the Mac, download the DMG from Downloads and drag MyClippy into Applications. It needs Apple silicon and macOS 13 or later. The pilot isn’t notarized, so macOS may ask you to approve it under System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- On Android, install MyClippy through the Google Play testing invitation. There is no public Play release yet.
- Open both apps on the same private Wi-Fi. Allow local-network access on the Mac and, on Android, notifications and local-network access.
- Wait until the Mac appears under nearby devices on the phone. There is no code to enter.
- Copy a harmless sentence on the Mac. On Android, paste it into any text field — it’s already on the phone’s clipboard.
- For the other direction, tap Set up automatic copy on Android, read the disclosure, agree, and turn on MyClippy automatic copy in Accessibility settings. Your keyboard stays the same. You can use Share → MyClippy instead if you prefer to send items by hand.
- Copy a different sentence in an Android app and press ⌘V on the Mac.
What we verified on a Pixel 7 and a Mac
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| Android → Mac, three separate copies | Passed (each within the 12-second limit) |
| Mac → Android, three separate copies | Passed (checked 2 seconds after copying) |
| Copy A, then B, then A again | Passed |
| Text copied in WhatsApp on the phone | Passed: Mac clipboard matched exactly |
| 32,768-byte copy in each direction | Passed; a 32,769-byte copy was rejected as designed |
| Copy marked sensitive by Android | Skipped as designed |
| Mac app restarted | Both directions recovered automatically |
| First Android copy after the phone rebooted | Failed: copied before MyClippy reconnected |
Pixel 7 on Android 17 with MyClippy 0.3.2 from Google Play; Apple M1 Pro Mac on macOS 26 with MyClippy 0.3.0. Synthetic text, compared byte-for-byte. All 26 checks and our method.
If Mac → Android works but Android → Mac doesn’t
The connection is working; Android copy capture isn’t. Since Android 10, an app can read the clipboard only when it is the default keyboard or the app you are using. MyClippy’s optional Accessibility service is how it notices copies made in other apps. Why Android needs this permission.
Check that both the in-app consent and the Android Accessibility service are on, resume sync, and copy fresh text. If a particular app’s copies are missed, use Share → MyClippy for that app. The troubleshooting guide covers other symptoms.
Limits of the current pilot
- Text and links only — no images or files.
- The Mac app is built for Apple silicon; Intel Macs are not supported.
- Both devices must be on the same private network, and the Mac app must be open.
- Every MyClippy installation that can reach your network can join, and the session key is shared over local HTTP. Use trusted private Wi-Fi only, and don’t copy secrets while sharing is on.
- Keep automatic date and time on; large clock differences can stop clips from being accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I copy on Android and paste on a Mac?
Yes, with a third-party app. Apple’s Universal Clipboard doesn’t support Android. MyClippy, KDE Connect and ClipRelay are options; MyClippy works over your private Wi-Fi and can copy from Android automatically after an optional permission.
Does Universal Clipboard work with a Samsung phone and a MacBook?
No. Universal Clipboard needs Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account with Handoff turned on. Samsung Galaxy and other Android phones can’t join it, so use a cross-platform app instead.
Do I need to change my Android keyboard?
Not for MyClippy. It uses an optional Accessibility service rather than a replacement keyboard, so you can keep Gboard, Samsung Keyboard or whichever keyboard you use.
Does MyClippy work on Intel Macs?
Not yet. The current Mac pilot is built for Apple silicon (M-series) Macs running macOS 13 or later.
Can I send photos or files from Android to a Mac this way?
Not with MyClippy’s current pilot, which syncs text and links. For files and photos, a local transfer app such as LocalSend is designed for that job.
Sources and current requirements
- Apple: Use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between your Apple devices
- Android developers: clipboard access limits in Android 10
- KDE Connect user documentation
- ClipRelay
- LocalSend
Product capabilities and platform requirements can change. This page describes a local pilot, not a guarantee of compatibility with every phone or source app. Spotted something out of date? Email intelligentiastudios@gmail.com.