How to access clipboard on iPhone [Works for all modern iPhones, including iPhone 16]

When my husband got his first iPhone as a birthday gift from me, he was thrilled. But soon, he got a bit upset because he couldn't deal with some things. One of the common issues was the clipboard. He knew he had it on his Mac, but where was it on the iPhone? Luckily, he knows me! I’ve been writing about all things Apple for years, so I knew exactly how to help him out. If you’ve ever been puzzled by this too, you’re in the right place.

Here are the 3 ways to access the clipboard on iPhone:

What is the clipboard on iPhone and how does it work?

The iPhone clipboard is a piece of virtual memory that holds the item you've copied or cut. It stores only one item at a time and is cleared when you copy or cut another item or restart your phone. Unlike a Mac, where you can access the clipboard, the iPhone keeps it minimal. This can be limiting, but there are ways to make it more useful.

Where is the clipboard on my iPhone?

As you already know, users can’t see the clipboard content or edit in any way by default. But, of course, there are a few hacks for how to get a clipboard on an iPhone. Let me show you how.  I'll start with the easiest solution and work my way up to the most convenient and reliable.

Method 1: How to check what’s copied on iPhone via Notes

The easiest way to see and manage your clipboard on an iPhone is to use a text-editing or a note-taking app. For most people, the first app that comes to mind would be Notes.

To edit the clipboard content in Notes: 

1. Launch Notes.
2. Create a new note.
3. Tap and select Paste to insert your clipboard content.

Using Notes is straightforward and allows you to manage multiple snippets. However, it can get messy if you're working with a lot of content. That’s why I prefer the Paste app which I’m going to cover next.

Method 2: How to view clipboard contents on iPhone with the Paste app

If you need an advanced clipboard manager, Setapp is your best solution. Among its 260+ apps, you'll find the excellent clipboard manager app, Paste.

Paste lets you copy and paste multiple items on your iPhone without wondering where’s my clipboard on my iPhone. The whole clipboard history is in Paste, whether it’s text, links, images, screenshots, or any other file type. You can edit your clipboard right in the app and quickly copy it again to use somewhere else. 

With Paste, you can also sync your clipboard with your Mac, create multiple pinboards for bookmarks, and search for anything in seconds.

I also use Paste on my Mac, where it serves as an endless clipboard, saving everything I copy. I never start work without it — actually, it’s in my login items, so it’s ready as soon as I turn on my Mac. This tool has saved dozens of my notes, texts, ideas, code snippets, and more — saving me hours of time retrieving that data. If the iCloud sync is enabled, you can access your clipboard on Mac from iPhone and vice verca.

Note that Paste is available to you absolutely free for seven days during the trial of Setapp, a subscription service with 260+ Mac, iOS, and web apps for almost any task. 

Method 3: How to manage the clipboard using the Shortcuts app on iPhone

Surprisingly, Apple does include an option to adjust your clipboard, but it’s hidden in its default Shortcuts app.

Here’s how to find the clipboard on iPhone with Shortcuts: 

1. Open the Shortcuts app.
2. Navigate to Gallery in the lower right corner.
3. Search for Adjust Clipboard.
4. Add Shortcut.

Now, every time you tap Adjust Clipboard from the My Shortcuts tab, you’ll get a pop-up menu with the option to edit your clipboard. You can even automate this shortcut further by calling on Siri to Adjust Clipboard. 

However, while this method solves the problem of how to view clipboard on an iPhone, it doesn’t let you see your complete clipboard history.

iPhone clipboard comparison: Default vs. Third-party manager

Now that we've learned all the ways to manage your iPhone's clipboard, let's compare native and third-party tools to help you make an informed choice.

Try this tool for free to improve your iPhone clipboard

You can access the clipboard on an iPhone effortlessly with the right tools. The Paste app is a great choice for comprehensive clipboard management with advanced features, while the Notes and Shortcuts apps offer less functional solutions.

If you want more for your iPhone and Mac (I assume you have one), try Setapp. It is a subscription service that offers 260+ Mac, iOS, and web apps for almost any task, including managing your clipboard, cleaning up your device, improving productivity, working with text using AI, and more. All Setapp apps come with a low monthly fee and a 7-day free trial, making it a fantastic way to get the most out of your devices.

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