If you’ve found a piece of text on one device, but would like to use it on another, you can now magically copy and paste it across. We show you how to save time and stop re-typing content (currently only available on Android phones)
If you regularly switch between your phone and Windows 11 PC, constantly emailing yourself links or messaging notes back and forth can quickly become frustrating. Fortunately, Windows 11 offers a much easier solution with cross-device clipboard syncing.
Using Microsoft’s Phone Link feature, you can copy text on your phone and instantly paste it onto your PC — or the other way around — using the standard keyboard shortcuts you already know.
What Is Cross-Device Copy and Paste?
Cross-device clipboard syncing allows your Windows 11 computer and smartphone to share copied text seamlessly. Once set up, anything you copy on one device becomes available on the other. This means you can:
- Copy a phone number from your mobile and paste it into a document on your PC
- Transfer links, notes, and passwords instantly
- Continue working across devices without interruption
It’s a simple feature, but it can significantly improve productivity.
How to Set Up Phone Link in Windows 11
Microsoft’s Phone Link app is built directly into Windows 11 and works especially well with Android devices.
Step 1: Set Up Phone Link on Your PC
- Open the Phone Link app on your Windows 11 PC
- Sign in using your Microsoft account
- Follow the setup instructions to pair your phone
If the app is not installed, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
Step 2: Install Link to Windows on Your Android Phone
On your Android device:
- Download the Link to Windows app from the Google Play Store
- Sign in using the same Microsoft account you used on your PC
- Complete the pairing process
Once connected, your devices will begin sharing selected features and notifications.
Enable Cross-Device Clipboard Sync
To activate copy-and-paste syncing:
On Your PC – Open the Phone Link app
Go to: Settings > Features – Turn on Cross-device copy and paste
You can also verify the setting by navigating to: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices. Select your connected phone and ensure clipboard syncing is enabled.
How to Use It
After setup is complete, using the feature is effortless.
Press Ctrl + C to copy text on one device
Press Ctrl + V to paste it on the other
The clipboard works almost instantly between your phone and PC, making multitasking much smoother.
Alternative Option: Windows Cloud Clipboard
If your device does not fully support Phone Link clipboard syncing, Microsoft’s Cloud Clipboard can provide a similar experience.
Set Up Cloud Clipboard with SwiftKey
- On Your Phone install the Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard app
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
- Enable Sync clipboard history in the app settings
On Your Windows 11 PC
- Open: Settings > System > Clipboard
- Turn on: Clipboard history > Sync across devices
You can then press: Windows Key + V to view clipboard items synced from your phone.
What About iPhone Users?
Direct clipboard syncing through Phone Link is currently limited on iPhones. However, iPhone users can still achieve partial clipboard syncing by using the Microsoft SwiftKey app with cloud clipboard features enabled. While it is not as seamless as Android integration, it still offers a practical way to move text between devices.
Final Thoughts
Cross-device copy and paste is one of the most underrated productivity features in Windows 11. Whether you use Phone Link or Cloud Clipboard syncing, the ability to instantly move text between your phone and computer can save time and reduce unnecessary interruptions throughout your day.