Mac Clipboard History – A Guide on Managing it
macOS is considered to be the most polished and well-optimized operating system by millions of people all around the globe. The powerful operating system that powers up all variants of Macs packs in tons of useful abilities and features that facilitate users to perform functions with ease. For instance, it packs in top-tier utilities like Safari and Finder, allowing users to browse the Internet and navigate through files and folders present on the Mac respectively, without hassle. Similarly, macOS also features the useful clipboard functionality that facilitates users to copy any textual information and paste it into the desired location without hassle.
One of the best parts about the native clipboard functionality of macOS is that users can easily access its history. This facilitates them to look at all the content they have copied and allows them to access them without hassle. Users can conveniently access recently copied text by accessing their Mac’s clipboard. This article will take a detailed look at the Mac clipboard, how users can access their Mac’s clipboard history, and some of the most popular third-party clipboard managers available for macOS users. Let us dive right into it:
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Understanding macOS’ Clipboard:
According to Wikipedia, the clipboard is an operating system’s buffer that stores information for a short amount of time. Thus, the clipboard of macOS is a virtual data storage location that facilitates users to store copied information. To put it simply, macOS’ clipboard holds pieces of information that the user copies from any source. The clipboard stores copied information and prevent it from getting lost or stolen. Even though it is a temporary storage location, it facilitates users to store important information. Whenever the user copies or cuts text from any location, it temporarily gets stored on the clipboard. Once the information is stored, users can paste it anywhere by initiating the action manually or using the dedicated keyboard shortcut.
macOS facilitates users to access the clipboard in numerous ways. For instance, you can conveniently open your device’s clipboard using the native Finder utility of macOS. All you need to do is open the Finder application, open the “Edit” menu and click on the “Show Clipboard” option. Another way to view what you copied last on your clipboard is by pasting it. However, it is risky to reveal the copied content, especially if you do not remember what you have copied.
How to Access Clipboard History on a Mac:
Besides letting users open and view the clipboard, macOS also offers numerous ways following which users can take a thorough look at their Mac’s clipboard history. For instance, if you wish to see the last item you copied, you can view it by pasting it by using the paste option manually or by pressing the following keys together – “Command + V”. Thanks to Apple’s seamless integration among its devices, you can view the last copied content on another Apple device, i.e., besides the one you used to copy the content. However, if you wish to look at your Mac clipboard’s thorough history, it would be best to opt for a clipboard manager. To gain additional information about macOS’s clipboard, read more.
Best Clipboard Managers on Mac:
Even though macOS does not feature native features using which users can access a detailed history of the clipboard, there are numerous third-party clipboard managers that users can opt for to conveniently access clipboard history. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- CopyClip
CopyClip is a minimalistic clipboard manager that facilitates users to copy text and store it without hassle. Since it is a lightweight application, it does not offer formatting features. However, it provides users with all the necessary options they require for holding copied information. For instance, it allows users to limit the number of snippets the app can hold. This feature facilitates users to save disk space significantly. Besides this, it also allows users to exclude specific applications from storing information, a feature that enhances the security quotient of the app.
- Paste
Another efficient clipboard manager that features an exceptional user interface and packs in top-tier features is Paste. Even though it is a paid application that follows the subscription model, the app’s features make it worthwhile. It allows users to limit the number of snippets the app can store. Besides this, it allows users to organize and arrange the copied snippets. The best part about the clipboard manager is that, unlike others that can only store text snippets, Paste can also store images and tables. It is also available on iPadOS and iOS, adding to the app’s versatility. The application’s powerful sync feature facilitates users to sync their clipboard across different devices. Therefore, if you are searching for a powerful cross-platform clipboard manager, you can consider getting Paste.
The macOS clipboard is a useful utility that allows users to copy and store text snippets, which they can paste anywhere as per their needs. If you wish to access your clipboard’s history, refer to the points mentioned above.