Apple is developing cross-device copy-paste for iPhone and Windows PCs
Apple says it is working on a solution that will let EU users copy and paste content between iPhones and Windows PCs. The feature comes in response to Microsoft's interoperability request under the EU's Digital Markets Act.
Apple is developing a feature that will let users in the European Union copy content on an iPhone and paste it on a Windows PC, and potentially do the same in reverse. The upcoming capability was first spotted by MacRumors. It is part of Apple's response to an interoperability request from Microsoft, which asked the company to open up its Universal Clipboard feature — the system that currently enables copy-and-paste across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro.
Under the EU's Digital Markets Act, developers and government agencies can work with digital gatekeepers such as Apple to make their systems interoperable with third-party tools and services. The EU's rulings on connected devices have already pushed Apple to make some features work with third-party wearables, including support for notifications, proximity pairing, and automatic audio switching across a wider range of smartwatches and earbuds in the EU.
Microsoft submitted its interoperability request in March. It argued that restrictions on clipboard access in iOS currently prevent third-party developers from using cross-device copy and paste with their own products. These limits stop an app from seamlessly syncing clipboard content from an iPhone to a PC or another connected device in the background, according to Microsoft.
In a June 26 update, Apple said it would introduce a cross-device clipboard solution and expected to finish the work in fall 2027, with the feature then shipping in a developer beta. Apple described the project as a significant engineering effort. The proposed solution would allow Microsoft to create an extension for sharing and importing pasteboard items with paired accessories. Apple also noted that users would need to give permission before their clipboard could be shared with paired devices.
