Let's look at two ways to set up a cross-platform clipboard.
Announcement Microsoft
Microsoft at the presentation Windows 10 Fall Creators introduced the Clipboard function – a single clipboard between devices on Windows, Android and iOS. MacOS support was not announced. It works simply: you copy a text or a picture on your computer, and the information is added to the clipboard on your smartphone. It works the same way in the opposite direction. Sounds cool, but there are two prerequisites:
- Internet connection on all devices;
- Installed SwiftKey keyboard for devices on Android and iOS.
The last point spoils the impression – you definitely need to install the SwiftKey keyboard. I don't like it, I'm used to Fleksy, but otherwise I can't set the Clipboard to iOS or Android.
Perhaps Microsoft will come to an agreement with other developers and the cross-platform clipboard will work on other keyboards, but I hardly believe in that. Company Microsoft bought SwiftKey in February 2016 and will likely remain exclusive to SwiftKey.
What about Apple?
There is another example of implementing a single clipboard between computers and mobile devices – Apple. It works easier there: data is copied between Mac, iPhone and iPad via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth without installing additional applications. But synchronization works only within the ecosystem Apple, which is not convenient for everyone.
Therefore, there are two options:
- Clipboard from Microsoft – versatile, but less convenient;
- The clipboard in devices Apple is more convenient, but squeezed into the framework of macOS and iOS.
But the Clipboard will only work in September, along with the launch of the Fall Creators update Windows 10. You just have to wait.
Are there analogues?
The announcement of the update Windows 10 Fall Creators prompted me to find ready-made solutions for the cross-platform clipboard. I found two services at once – Pasteasy and Alt-C . Both are free and work similarly. I have divided them into two camps:
- Pasteasy – More features but harder to use
- Alt-C – fewer functions, but more convenient.
For Pasteasy and Alt-C to work, you need to install the server program on your computer Windows or macOS – an application on your smartphone connects to it. A prerequisite is that all devices must be connected to the same local network, synchronization does not work via the Internet.
Now I'll tell you about the differences in services.
Pasteasy
To connect your smartphone to your computer, you need to scan the QR code. You can connect several devices at once, adding to your smartphone and laptop, for example, a tablet.
Then you work as usual – on a computer, use the Ctrl-C (Command-C on Mac) combination, and on mobile devices, copy through the menu by long pressing. Only now the copied data is automatically transferred to the clipboard on other devices. You can copy text and images this way, files cannot.
Initially, images copied to a computer are saved to the gallery when synchronized with Android, since the system does not provide for storing graphic files in the buffer. But I recommend turning off the automatic saving of images, because all the photos that you copy to your computer will be saved to the gallery, even if you don't need them on your smartphone. The gallery will quickly get littered. And if you need to save a photo from your computer, you need to go to the Pasteasy application and download it to your phone manually.
Buffer ribbon interface on smartphone
I also recommend enabling the power-saving mode in the application settings:
- Gear icon in the upper left corner;
- Power Mode section;
- Check the box Energy Saving.
In this mode, the application will not sync data when the smartphone is sleeping. But I didn't notice that this was interfering with the shared buffer.
There is one drawback to Pasteasy that no other service has – sometimes constant buffer sync gets in the way. I copied the number in the phone, and it overwritten the text in the buffer on the computer, which I need now. Confusion arises. It's good that the application stores the last N-amount of copied data, but it is not always convenient to return to the application.
Download Pasteasy:
Client for Windows / macOS
Application for Android / iOS
Alt-C
An eight-digit code is used to synchronize the devices with each other, which must be entered on the computer. You can add as many devices as you like to it.
The main difference between the application and Pasteasy is clear from the name – setting up combinations for copying and pasting, by default these are Alt-C and Alt-V. If you don't like this keyboard shortcut, you can select another one using the Shift, Ctrl, Windows (Command), Alt, C, and V. For example, Ctrl-Shift-C or Windows -C. As you wish. You can also adjust the number of saved cells in the buffer tape.
It works like this: you selected text on your computer, copied it using the Alt-C combination, and it was immediately added to the clipboard of other devices. And also in the opposite direction: copied the text on the smartphone – pasted it on the computer with the Alt-V combination.
Using another combination of copying to a shared clipboard, you can choose which data to send to other devices and which not.
I like the Alt-C service approach better, but unfortunately it cannot copy images, only text. And copying the text of the smartphone's buffer on the computer takes a half-second delay, but this is a small problem.
Download Alt-C:
Client for Windows / macOS
Application for Android / for iOS will appear later
What to choose?
The question is complex. Here are the pros of each application to make it easier to identify:
Pasteasy:
- Knows how to copy pictures;
- Available for iOS;
- Copies text from your phone faster.
Alt-C:
- More convenient interface;
- Only what is needed is copied on all devices;
- Customize copy / paste combinations.
But it is better to try both services yourself and choose the one that suits you. After all, they are free.