How to use a universal clipboard in the new MacOS and iOS Sierra 10

One of the most desirable innovations macOS Sierra became universal clipboard that provides access to the copied content on any of your devices. We describe how to use it.

Universal clipboard - it is a logical continuation of Continuity paradigm that Apple has laid the foundations back in OS X Yosemite and iOS 8. For seamless integration of desktop and mobile operating systems added the ability to work with the contents of the clipboard on any of your devices.

How it works

A new feature is not obvious, so you should understand the intricacies of her work. Universal clipboard has no options and the interface itself. Yes, it just works.

If you are logged in under the same Apple ID on all your devices, you can copy something on one and pasted into another. To do this on a Mac should be set macOS Sierra, and on iPhone and iPad - iOS 10. Another condition - is to support Bluetooth LE devices. In theory, for Continuty devices must be on the same wireless network, but with a universal clipboard is not necessary. When the Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity feature works even if you turn off Wi-Fi.

Cross-platform clipboard contents removed after two minutes and overwritten if you copy something on another device. History backup is not saved, so that the new feature is not a competitor for any clipboard manager.

How to use

Copy and paste, you can both text and images, but the mechanism of interaction between them is slightly different. The text is simple: you can copy the link to your iPhone, and then press Cmd + V on a Mac in any application. The result will be as expected: immediately inserted link.

But the pictures are a little differently. The copied image can be inserted only in working with graphics applications, such as "View" or Keynote. If you open the Finder and press Cmd + V, nothing happens.

To insert an image into the current image in the support programs, simply Hit Cmd + V. If you want to copy the image in its original form, use the menu «File» → «New from the buffer." On iOS, the image from the clipboard can be inserted in the "Remarks" or Keynote, but directly in the "Photos" is impossible.

As you can see, the universal clipboard - handy thing, but at least at this stage is unlikely to replace the customized programs with similar functionality. AirDrop, when it comes to pictures, the new feature also still no substitute because of its limitations.

Nevertheless, the universal buffer will be a welcome addition for all those who have an extensive fleet of Apple-devices, and make sure their daily lives a little easier.