Copy and paste works a little differently on a Mac than on Windows. The main change is that you use the Command (⌘) key where Windows uses Ctrl. Once that’s in your fingers, there are a few extra tricks worth knowing.
The basics
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy | Command + C |
| Cut | Command + X |
| Paste | Command + V |
| Undo | Command + Z |
Select some text or a file, press Command + C, click where you want it, and press Command + V.
Copy and paste with the mouse or trackpad
- Select the text or file.
- Right-click it (two-finger click on a trackpad, or hold Control and click).
- Choose Copy.
- Right-click where you want it and choose Paste.
You’ll also find Copy and Paste in the Edit menu at the top of the screen in almost every app.
Paste without the formatting
When you copy from a website into an email or document, the text often brings its font, size and colour with it. To paste it as plain text that matches what you’re writing:
Option + Shift + Command + V
This is called Paste and Match Style. It’s also in the Edit menu. In some apps, including Google Docs and Microsoft Word, the shortcut is Shift + Command + V.
How to cut and paste files in Finder
On a Mac, Command + X doesn’t cut files. To move a file:
- Select the file and press Command + C (copy).
- Go to the destination folder.
- Press Option + Command + V.
The file moves to the new folder, with no duplicate left behind.
Copy on your iPhone, paste on your Mac
Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another. Copy a photo or some text on your iPhone, then press Command + V on your Mac a moment later.
For it to work, both devices need:
- the same Apple Account signed in
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on
- Handoff turned on. On the Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff. On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff).
The copied item is only available for a short time, so paste soon after copying.
Copy a screenshot straight to the clipboard
Add Control to a screenshot shortcut and the image is copied instead of saved. For example, Control + Shift + Command + 4 lets you drag over an area, then paste it straight into a message or document.
Clipboard history
For years the Mac only remembered the last thing you copied. On macOS Tahoe and later, Spotlight can keep a clipboard history: open Spotlight with Command + Space, then press Command + 4. On older versions, a free app such as Maccy does the same job.
Troubleshooting
Paste does nothing. Make sure you’ve clicked into a place that accepts text. If copy and paste stops working everywhere, restart your Mac.
Universal Clipboard isn’t working. Check that both devices are on the same Apple Account, switch Bluetooth off and on, and make sure Handoff is enabled on both.
Wrapping up
Learn Command + C and Command + V first. Then add Option + Shift + Command + V to paste plain text, and Option + Command + V to move files.
