As an avid user of both my iPhone and Mac, I rely heavily on the Universal Clipboard feature to seamlessly copy and paste between devices. However, there have been instances where this handy feature seems to stop working, causing frustration and hindering productivity. If you’re facing the same issue, fear not! In this article, I will walk you through nine fixes that you can try to get your Universal Clipboard up and running again.
Ensure That Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac are Compatible
Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to ensure that your iPhone, iPad, and Mac are compatible with the Universal Clipboard feature. Universal Clipboard is available on devices running iOS 10 or later and macOS Sierra or later. If any of your devices are running older versions of the operating system, it’s advisable to update them to the latest version.
To check the software version on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner, select System Preferences, and then click on Software Update. If an update is available, click on Update Now and let your Mac install the latest software.
Turn WiFi and Bluetooth Off and Turn Them On Again
Sometimes, a simple reset of your WiFi and Bluetooth connections can resolve issues with the Universal Clipboard. Start by turning off WiFi on both your iPhone and Mac. On your iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi and toggle the switch off. On your Mac, click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off.
Next, turn off Bluetooth on both devices. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle the switch off. On your Mac, click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select Turn Bluetooth Off.
After turning off WiFi and Bluetooth on both devices, wait for a few seconds and then turn them back on. On your iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi and toggle the switch on. On your Mac, click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi On.
Similarly, turn Bluetooth back on by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar on your Mac.
Enable Bluetooth Sharing on Your Mac
Another common reason for the Universal Clipboard not working between your iPhone and Mac is the absence of Bluetooth Sharing settings on your Mac. To enable this feature, follow these steps:
- On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences.
- In the System Preferences window, click on Sharing.
- Check the box next to Bluetooth Sharing to enable it.
- Close the System Preferences window.
Enabling Bluetooth Sharing allows your Mac to communicate with other devices, including your iPhone, via Bluetooth. Once you’ve enabled this setting, try using the Universal Clipboard feature again and see if it works.
Turn Off/On Handoff
Handoff is a feature that allows you to seamlessly switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, sometimes, issues with Handoff can affect the functionality of the Universal Clipboard. To address this, you can try turning off Handoff and then turning it back on. Here’s how:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Handoff.
- Toggle the switch off to disable Handoff.
- On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences.
- In the System Preferences window, click on General.
- Uncheck the box next to Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices to turn off Handoff.
- Close the System Preferences window.
After disabling Handoff on both your iPhone and Mac, wait for a few seconds and then turn it back on following the same steps. This can help reset the Handoff feature and potentially resolve any issues with the Universal Clipboard.
Reset Bluetooth Settings
If none of the previous fixes have worked so far, it’s time to reset your Bluetooth settings. This can help eliminate any corrupted settings or connections that may be causing the Universal Clipboard issue. Here’s how to reset Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and Mac:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap on the i icon next to the connected device (if any) and select Forget This Device. Repeat this step for all connected devices.
- On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences.
- In the System Preferences window, click on Bluetooth.
- Select the connected device (if any) and click on the X icon to remove it. Repeat this step for all connected devices.
- Close the System Preferences window.
After resetting the Bluetooth settings, try pairing your iPhone and Mac again and check if the Universal Clipboard starts working.
Reset Network Settings
In some cases, issues with your network settings can interfere with the Universal Clipboard functionality. Resetting your network settings can help resolve these issues. Keep in mind that resetting network settings will remove saved WiFi passwords, VPN settings, and other network-related configurations. To reset network settings on your iPhone and Mac, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings and enter your device passcode if prompted.
- Confirm the reset by tapping on Reset Network Settings again.
On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences. In the System Preferences window, click on Network. Select your WiFi network and click on the minus (-) button to remove it. After removing the network, click on the plus (+) button to add it back and reconfigure the network settings.
Sign Out Of Apple ID and Sign Back In
Sometimes, an issue with your Apple ID can affect the Universal Clipboard functionality. Signing out of your Apple ID on both your iPhone and Mac and then signing back in can help resolve these issues. Here’s how to do it:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name].
- Scroll down and tap on Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
- On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences.
- In the System Preferences window, click on Apple ID.
- Click on Overview in the sidebar and then click on Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Close the System Preferences window.
After signing out of your Apple ID on both devices, wait for a few seconds and then sign back in using the same steps. This can help refresh your Apple ID connection and potentially resolve the Universal Clipboard issue.
Update Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Keeping your devices up to date with the latest software is crucial for optimal performance and compatibility. Outdated software can sometimes cause issues with the Universal Clipboard feature. To check for updates and install them on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
- On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences. In the System Preferences window, click on Software Update. If an update is available, click on Update Now and let your Mac install the latest software.
Updating your devices to the latest software versions can often resolve compatibility issues and ensure the smooth functioning of the Universal Clipboard.
Reset Your Mac’s Clipboard
If all else fails, resetting your Mac’s clipboard can be a last resort to fix the Universal Clipboard issue. Here’s how you can do it:
- Close all applications and documents on your Mac.
- Press the Command (⌘), Option, and Escape (Esc) keys simultaneously to open the Force Quit Applications window.
- In the Force Quit Applications window, select Finder and click on the Relaunch button.
- After relaunching Finder, try using the Universal Clipboard again and check if it is working.
Resetting your Mac’s clipboard can help clear any temporary files or data that may be causing the issue, providing a fresh start for the Universal Clipboard functionality.
