Understanding the iPhone Clipboard
The iPhone clipboard is a temporary storage area that holds only one item at a time, which is cleared when you restart your phone. Unlike other devices, the iPhone does not have a built-in feature to view or manage clipboard history, but there are several workarounds to help you save and access your clipboard contents.
Using the Notes App to Save Clipboard Contents
One of the simplest methods to save and access your clipboard is by using the Notes app, which comes preinstalled on all iPhones.
- Open the Notes app after you have copied something to your clipboard.
- Tap the New Note icon on the bottom right of the screen.
- Long-press the empty space and select Paste from the sub-menu. This will paste the contents of your clipboard into the note.
- Save the note to keep the clipboard content for future reference.
Utilizing the Shortcuts App for Clipboard Management
The Shortcuts app offers another way to view and manage your clipboard, although it does not save clipboard history.
- Open the Shortcuts app and navigate to the Gallery section.
- Search for "Adjust Clipboard" in the search bar.
- Tap the "+" icon to add the "Adjust Clipboard" shortcut to your homepage.
- Run the shortcut by tapping on it from the My Shortcuts tab. This will display the contents of your clipboard, allowing you to edit or delete it.
Using Third-Party Clipboard Manager Apps
For more advanced clipboard management, you can use third-party apps that save multiple clipboard entries.
- Download a clipboard manager app such as Oneboard, Clipboard Grabber, or Clips Board from the App Store.
- Copy any text or content to your clipboard.
- Open the clipboard manager app. The app will automatically save the contents of your clipboard.
- Access your saved clipboards by opening the app and selecting the desired entry. You can then copy it again to paste it elsewhere.
Example: Using Oneboard
- Download Oneboard for free.
- Copy any text to your iOS clipboard.
- Open Oneboard and tap Clipboard. The app will automatically save the contents of your text clipboard.
- Repeat the process to save multiple old clipboards.
- Access your saved clipboards by opening Oneboard and tapping on one of the entries. It will be instantly copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted.
Additional Features with Paste App
For comprehensive clipboard management, consider using the Paste app, which offers advanced features such as saving multiple clipboards, syncing with your Mac, and creating pinboards.
- Download the Paste app from the App Store or through a subscription service like Setapp.
- Copy any content to your clipboard.
- Open the Paste app, which will automatically save the contents of your clipboard.
- Access your clipboard history by browsing through the saved entries in the app. You can edit, copy, and paste them as needed.
Security Considerations
When using third-party apps to manage your clipboard, be cautious about saving sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details. Instead, use secure methods like the iPhone's built-in AutoFill feature for sensitive data.