While the built-in clipboard functionality is limited on Mac, there are ways to enhance your copy-paste experience.
Quick facts about Mac clipboard
- The default Mac clipboard only stores the last copied item
- You can view the primary clipboard contents, but not its history
- Mac has a secondary clipboard, but it’s not easily accessible
- Third-party clipboard managers are the best solution for tracking clipboard history
Method 1: Use a third-party clipboard manager (Most effective)
For those who frequently juggle multiple pieces of information, a third-party clipboard manager is the way to go. Maccy is an excellent, open-source option that’s both lightweight and feature-rich.
Here’s how to get started with Maccy:
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Download Maccy from their official website for free, or purchase it from the Mac App Store for $9.99 to support the developers.
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Once installed, launch Maccy. It will appear in your Menu Bar for easy access.
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To view your clipboard history, simply click the Maccy icon in the Menu Bar. You’ll see a list of recently copied items.
- For seamless usage, set Maccy to launch at login. Click ‘Preferences’ in the Maccy menu.
- In the Preferences window, check the ‘Launch at Login’ option.
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Maccy offers a privacy feature to exclude certain apps from clipboard tracking. This is crucial for sensitive information.
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To set up app exclusions, go to the ‘Ignore’ tab in Preferences, ensure you’re on the Applications tab, and click the ‘+’ icon.
- Select the apps you want Maccy to ignore, such as password managers or banking apps.
Method 2: View the primary clipboard (Less effective)
While this method doesn’t provide a history, it allows you to see the current clipboard contents:
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- In the menu bar, navigate to Edit > Show Clipboard.
- A window will appear displaying the last item you copied or cut.
Method 3: Utilize the secondary clipboard (Least effective)
Mac has a lesser-known secondary clipboard, accessible through keyboard shortcuts:
- Cut: Ctrl + K
- Paste: Ctrl + Y
This method is limited:
- It only works in text editors
- You can’t view its contents
- It may not function in all apps
- There’s a risk of data loss if the paste function fails
Given these limitations, it’s recommended to stick with the primary clipboard or a third-party manager for important data.
By implementing one of these methods, particularly a robust clipboard manager like Maccy, you can significantly enhance your productivity and never lose track of important copied information again.