Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer a universal cloud clipboard through which you can copy and save text from one PC and paste it on another PC. But the clipboard also works with an Android device. Via Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard for Android, you can copy an item to your Windows PC and then paste it onto your Android device or vice versa.
You need a Microsoft account to use and sync the clipboard across different computers and devices. Be sure to log in to each PC and device with the same account. Your Android device will only be able to insert the last item you copied and save it for only one hour.
For privacy reasons, your clipboard data is encrypted and is not linked to your Microsoft account or stored permanently by Microsoft. However, you should still refrain from using syncing the cloud clipboard for sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details.
Configure Universal Cloud Clipboard
If you have not already done so, you will need to configure the universal cloud clipboard in Windows 10 or 11. This works the same way in both versions of Windows. Go to Settings> System> Clipboard. Turn on the switches Clipboard history and Sync across devices (Sync across your devices in Windows 11). Then select the option Automatically sync text that I copy.
If you have not yet tried the Universal Clipboard in Windows, open a document, file, or message. Copy and paste a few different instances of text. Hold down the Windows key and press V. You will now see a history of all the items you have copied. To insert a specific item, simply click on it in the clipboard history.
Install Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard
Now go to your Android device. Open the Google Play Store and search for the Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard, or launch a browser and open the Google Play Store link for the keyboard. Install it and open the SwiftKey keyboard app. Tap Activate SwiftKey on the Welcome screen.
The next screen shows available keyboards on your device. Turn on the switch for the Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard. A message pops up warning you that this input method may be collecting all the text you type, including personal data such as passwords and credit card numbers. Press OK.
Tap the left arrow at the top to return to the SwiftKey welcome screen. Press the Select SwiftKey button. The next screen prompts you to select an entry method. Select the Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard setting. Back on the welcome screen, press the Finish button.
On the next screen, confirm the account to use the SwiftKey keyboard. Make sure it is the same account that you use to log in to your Windows PC. If not, press the Other Accounts button and log in with the correct account. The next screen asks if you want to share data with Microsoft on how to type. This level of sharing is not required to sync your clipboard, so feel free to answer no here. You will receive a message telling you that the installation was successful.
You will then be placed on the SwiftKey keyboard setting screen. Touch the Rich input setting, then select Clipboard. Turn on the Switch for Sync Clipboard History. Make sure the switches are also on Remember copied items and Show the last copied item as a quick insert option on the prediction bar. With the latter option, only the last copied item appears on the prediction bar on the SwiftKey keyboard.
Try it
Now it’s time to take the plunge. Select and copy any text in an app on your Windows computer. On your Android device, open an app where you can enter text, such as Mail or Messages. Tap any area where you can enter text to display the keyboard. Tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar above the keyboard, and you should see the text you copied from Windows. Tap the text to insert it in the current area.
You can also copy from Android to Windows. Select and copy text from an app on your Android device. In Windows, open a program where you can enter text. Press the Windows key and the V key to display the cloud clipboard. You should see the text you copied from Android. Click on the text to insert it.
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