The HowTo NetworkTech

How to Send a Screenshot to iPhone With Universal Clipboard

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Difficulty
Beginner

Step by step

  1. 20 sec

    Sign both devices into one account

    Universal Clipboard works only between devices signed in to the same Apple Account. Check on the Mac at the top of the System Settings sidebar, and on the iPhone at the top of the Settings list. Two accounts, no shared clipboard.

    Note: Apple Account is the newer name for Apple ID. Same account, same password, new label. The old term is still on plenty of screens.
  2. 30 sec

    Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff

    Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on and need to be near each other. On the Mac, open System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff and switch on Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.

    Note: They do not have to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Bluetooth does the finding. But both radios have to be awake, not merely present.
  3. 20 sec

    Enable Handoff on the iPhone

    On the iPhone, open Settings > General and find the AirPlay and Continuity section, then switch on Handoff. On older iOS versions the same switch sits under AirPlay & Handoff. Nothing pairs and nothing confirms. The switch is the entire setup.

    Note: There is no indicator anywhere that Universal Clipboard is running. You find out when you paste. Old engineers hate this and are right to.
  4. 10 sec

    Copy the screenshot instead of saving it

    Add Control to any screenshot shortcut and the image goes to the clipboard rather than to a file. Command + Control + Shift + 4 for a selection, Command + Control + Shift + 3 for the whole screen. No file is written anywhere.

    Note: In the Command + Shift + 5 toolbar the same behavior lives under Options > Save to > Clipboard, and it stays set until you change it.
  5. 10 sec

    Paste on the iPhone

    Open Messages, Notes, Mail, or any app that accepts an image. Touch and hold in the text field and choose Paste. The screenshot arrives at full resolution. A large image can take a moment while the transfer finishes in the background.

    Note: The clipboard does not wait for you. Copy, then paste soon after. Leave it an hour and the Mac has moved on without you.