Copying and pasting is a basic Android function. To go further, use the clipboard to find everything you’ve copied. The clipboard feature in Android varies by skin and version. LG and Samsung phones have clipboards. Other devices need a keyboard app to access the clipboard.
For this guide, we’ll focus on 2 clipboard apps which are Gboard and Clipper Clipboard Manager. Any Android device can use these methods.
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Things You Should Know About Clipboard on Android
- Make sure your Android has Gboard and Clipper Clipboard Manager installed.
- These apps are third-party that might be incompatible with older versions of Android.
How to use Gboard Clipboard
First, you’ll need a clipboard-enabled keyboard app. Gboard is a popular keyboard. Once your keyboard is installed, you should be able to try it. Copy text or a link, and images aren’t supported in the clipboard. Follow through the steps below!
- Tap the text box in the app where you want to paste to bring up the keyboard. The top toolbar has a clipboard icon.
- This opens the clipboard, showing the recently copied item first. Tap the clipboard to paste into the text field.
Android’s clipboard isn’t permanent. Old clipboard items are deleted over time. Gboard let you “pin” items to the clipboard to prevent deletion after an hour. This is how to pin them so you can use them anytime.
- Long-press an item.
- Select “Pin.”
| Note: Android’s clipboard is useful for frequent copying and pasting. You can copy and paste text with multiple items without switching windows. |
How to use Clipper Clipboard Manager
Clipboard manager apps make it easy to view clipboard history. Google Play has many Clipboard Manager alternatives, including the easy-to-use Clipper.
- Open Google Play and install the Clipper Clipboard Manager app.
- Open the Clipper Clipboard Manager. When you press and hold and copy text to save it to the clipboard.
- It shows up in the app’s Clipboard log and ready to paste it out.
- Press the three dots to the right of the snippet to open a menu with more options.
- In this menu, you can choose to View, Edit, Share, or Copy that entry so that you can paste it elsewhere.
| Note: You can only retrieve the most recent item you copied to the clipboard without a clipboard manager like Clipper. But a clipboard manager lets you see what you’ve recently copied to the clipboard so you can use it. |
How to clear the Android Clipboard
When using Clipper Clipboard Manager, select the three dots to the right of a selection to delete it. Clear the clipboard. You can also enable the Gboard keyboard on newer Android phones. If not, download Gboard from Google Play.
- Open the Messages on your Android and tap the + icon.
- Tap clipboard icon to open the Android clipboard.
- If you’ve never used your phone’s clipboard, you’ll be prompted to turn on Gboard. Tap Clipboard on.
- To delete, tap the Edit icon.
- Select the text that you want to delete and tap the Trash icon to delete items.
| Note: The clipboard manager on your Android phone depends on the version and brand. Samsung’s keyboard includes a clipboard manager. Without an app, you can access and manage your clipboard with the keyboard. |
Another way to clear the clipboard from Android can be done
Where is Clipboard on Android Phones?
Android’s clipboard service stores saved text in RAM. You can’t access that data on stock Android phones. Samsung phones store clipboard history in /data/Clipboard. On a Samsung phone, you can’t access that file without rooting, but you can use a clipboard manager app on any Android phone.
If your Android stores the clipboard in a system folder, you can use Minimal ADB and Fastboot to view it. Since the clipboard folder is a root folder, you probably won’t be able to open it even with ADB.
Opening Clipboard on Samsung Smartphones
The clipboard can be accessed in a variety of ways on different Samsung smartphones. Following are a few instructions based on various Samsung models:
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
- Long tap any text area on your smartphone.
- When the menu appears, tap on the Clipboard button.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
- Simply launch a text editor in your Samsung device’s app drawer to reveal the on-screen keyboard.
- When you press and hold the text area, a menu will appear; select the Clipboard option. Or simply tap Clipboard icon.
- When you’re done copying and pasting, you may view the various texts by clicking the Clipboard button.
3 Best Alternative Android Clipboard Apps
If you find GBoard and Clipboard Manager don’t fit your operating systems, you can download other options for a clipboard on your Android. These third-party apps can be installed and used for clipboards on your Android.
Unfortunately, third-party apps can only be installed on Android 9 and older versions. The Android 10 no longer accepts the third-party clipboard manager to be installed on the systems.
1. Swiftkey
Swiftkey can be your best option as Android’s clipboard manager. Simply hit the arrow icon in the top-left corner of your keyboard to reveal the Clipboard icon alongside others, just like Gboard and the Samsung Keyboard. You can paste recent text blocks with only one tap by tapping it to access them.
SwiftKey deletes copied text automatically after an hour, but you can touch the Pin button to save everything you copy for as long as you need. Simply slide it from side to side to remove one. When the app’s settings are opened, you can more easily delete, pin, and rearrange items by dragging them. To do this, tap the Manage icon.
2. Free Multi Clipboard Manager
This clipboard function is to efficiently handle all of your clipboard data in one place. Free Multi Clipboard Manager remembers your clipboard history as you use it, allowing you to quickly look back on any day and determine precisely what was on your clipboard at any particular moment. It’s a very helpful tool, especially for Android users who frequently utilize the clipboard.
The ability to quickly interface with other Android apps, the option to set up an OTP (one-time password) to protect your data, instant phone lock, multi-copy, and more features are also available. Check out this clipboard manager first if you’re seeking for one with plenty of features.
3. Clip Stack
Clip Stack can be one of your top alternatives if you want to handle prior cuts and pastes. A clipboard manager is not all that Clip Stack is. It can also serve as a journal or a task manager for “getting things done.”
A robust widget from Clip Stack (complete with material design) can be kept in your notification center as well as on your Android home screen. You can use the widget and notification center regions just like you would inside the actual program.
These 3 alternative Android clipboard managers are compatible with any Android version. Make sure to use only one or two clipboards to prevent errors on your device.
Tips
- Android’s built-in clipboard is fairly basic. Modern Android doesn’t support third-party clipboard manager apps, but any keyboard app includes one.
- Android clipboard managers are inconsistent. Each Android update may break your favorite manager. It’s life. Luckily, the apps on this list are designed by clipboard manager experts.
- Each manager on this list has pros and cons. Make sure you install the best fit for your Android system.
