How can I share my clipboard between Windows, Android and iPhone?

Run Clipboard Bridge on Windows or a private server, use the native Android app, and configure two iOS Shortcuts to exchange the latest text, photo or file.

Does Windows and iPhone clipboard sharing require iCloud?

No. Clipboard Bridge transfers content through your local network and does not require iCloud or an external cloud clipboard service.

Do I need a separate server?

No. Windows can act as the server. An optional Docker server is available for an always-on setup, multiple Windows clients and isolated user accounts.

Clipboard Bridge | Windows, Android and iPhone Clipboard Sync

Get started

Download Clipboard Bridge 2.0.4

Download the client for each device. The Android APK, Windows builds and two ready-made iPhone Shortcuts are direct downloads. The release includes the two main Python scripts; Docker files and complete source remain in the repository.

Android app

Native Android 10+ client with universal Share target, server history, per-item deletion and Quick Settings controls.

Download Android APK beta 8

Windows installer

Recommended. Installs Clipboard Bridge for the current Windows user without administrator privileges.

Install on Windows x64

Windows portable

Run the complete Client and Server modes directly, without installation or administrator privileges.

Download portable for Windows x64

Send from iPhone

Load Clipboard sends the current text, photo or file from the iPhone to Clipboard Bridge.

Download iPhone Load Clipboard

Receive on iPhone

Download Clipboard receives the latest text, photo or file stored in Clipboard Bridge.

Download iPhone Download Clipboard

Auto-sync on Windows: this applies to both the installer and portable versions. Windows may prevent Clipboard Bridge from detecting clipboard changes made by applications running as administrator. If auto-sync does not work, start Clipboard Bridge with Run as administrator.

Windows security notice: version 2.0.4 is currently unsigned and Windows 11 Smart App Control can block it. Trusted Authenticode signing is being prepared. A self-signed certificate would not make a public download trusted. See the code signing policy.

Open source: inspect the complete source on GitHub No telemetry: clipboard data is not sent to the maintainers Python server: download the standalone script Windows source client: download the Python script Developers: clone the GitHub repository for Docker files, tests and complete source

Optional authentication: token and accounts are not required. If used in iPhone or Android links, token, username and password are visible in plain text in the URL. HTTP does not encrypt them; use a trusted LAN, private VPN or HTTPS reverse proxy.

After adding the Shortcuts on the iPhone, set their complete URLs as shown below. For all Windows, Android, iPhone and server assets, open the complete 2.0.4 release.

First connection

Ready in three steps

The Windows app does not require a separate server. Start with Server mode, then move to the Docker server only when you need an always-on shared service.

Open Settings

Install the app, open its tray icon and choose Server mode under General.

Confirm the connection

Use the address shown by the app. The tray changes to a green Connected status when it is ready.

Connect the iPhone

Install both Shortcuts and set their complete URLs using the displayed address and port.

Open the complete setup guide

WindowsAndroidiPhone

↔ Clipboard Bridge ↔

Windows, Android and iPhone clipboard sync without the cloud

Clipboard Bridge detects whether the latest item is text, an image or a file. Windows, Android and iPhone use the same ordered server history for every supported content type.

Text, photos and files

Move the latest clipboard item without choosing a separate transfer mode.

Private local network

Keep transfers on your LAN instead of sending clipboard data to a third-party cloud.

iOS Shortcuts

Send and receive from the iPhone Share Sheet using two reusable Shortcuts.

Native Android app

Share one or multiple files of any type, browse and delete server history, and use two Quick Settings controls.

Windows tray client

Centralized Settings for mode, language, history, automation, accounts, notifications and hotkeys, plus a compact green/red tray status and single-instance protection against duplicate icons. Choose alerts separately for received text, images and files; click a file notification to reveal the document.

Self-hosted Docker server

Run an always-on clipboard server on a NAS, Raspberry Pi or home server. It accepts Unicode text and every file format through raw, multipart or JSON/Base64 uploads. Stable package: server 1.0.2.

Multiple accounts

Give each user an isolated history and file space while retaining a shared clipboard.

Choose your setup

One application, two distinct modes

Choose the simplest setup for your network. Both modes work with Windows, the native Android app and iPhone Shortcuts.

Windows Server mode

The Windows application itself becomes the local clipboard server. Your iPhone connects directly to the PC, with no NAS, Docker container or separate web server.

Client mode with private server

Windows and iPhone connect to an always-on Flask server. Deploy it with Docker Compose or through ZimaOS, Portainer, Umbrel, Runtipi or Dockge.

Comparison between Windows Server mode and Client mode with a private server

Windows application

Connection and automation in one settings window

The Windows app keeps server mode, connection status, optional authentication, automatic synchronization and notifications in one place. It works directly with Android and iPhone without requiring a separate host.

Explore the setup guide

Clipboard Bridge Windows connection settings using local demo values

Clipboard Bridge Windows automation and notification settings

Phone controls

Use the controls native to each device

Android uses the Clipboard Bridge app. iPhone and iPad use two prepared Shortcuts. Both connect to the same server and always exchange the most recent item, regardless of its type.

Android 10+

Native Android app

Send the clipboard, receive the latest item, share files from other apps, browse server history and enable incoming notifications.

Download the Android APK

iPhone and iPad

Two universal Shortcuts

Load Clipboard sends the current item. Download Clipboard receives the latest one. Run them from Shortcuts, the Share Sheet or Control Center.

Configure the iPhone Shortcuts

Two actions for every content type

Ready-made iPhone Shortcuts

The two prepared iOS Shortcuts are included with version 2.0.4. Install them on the iPhone, then set the complete Load URL to http://SERVER_IP:5088/clipboard and the complete Download URL to http://SERVER_IP:5088/clipboard/latest/raw, using the address shown by Clipboard Bridge.

Load Clipboard

Send the current iPhone clipboard to Windows or your private server.

Download iPhone send Shortcut

Download Clipboard

Receive the latest text, photo or file saved in Clipboard Bridge.

Download iPhone receive Shortcut

For faster access, add both Shortcuts to the iPhone Control Center: open Control Center, tap Add (+), choose Add a Control > Shortcut, then select Load Clipboard or Download Clipboard. Add one control for each action. See the official Apple guide.

Authentication is optional. Account URLs contain user and password in plain text; token URLs expose token in the same way. Do not use these HTTP links on an untrusted or public network.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

How do I share a clipboard between Windows and iPhone?

Start Clipboard Bridge in Windows Server mode or deploy the private server, then configure the two included iOS Shortcuts with the displayed local address.

Can I send photos and files from iPhone to Windows?

Yes. Use the Share Sheet with the send Shortcut. Clipboard Bridge stores the latest item and the Windows client receives it in the appropriate format.

Does Android support every file type?

Yes. Clipboard Bridge appears as a Share target for text and every MIME type, including multiple selected files. Its history is read directly from the selected server account or shared space.

Are a token or account required?

No. Both are optional. When included in a URL they are visible in plain text, so use a trusted LAN, private VPN or HTTPS reverse proxy.

Do incoming files download automatically on Windows?

Yes. While the Windows client is running, new PDFs and other files are saved automatically in Downloads\Clipboard Bridge. Click the notification to open File Explorer with the file selected.

Does it require iCloud or Microsoft Cloud Clipboard?

No. Clipboard Bridge is open source and transfers content through your own network.

Can Windows work as the server?

Yes. Select Server mode from the tray menu. The app displays the local IP address and port to use in your iPhone Shortcuts.

Can I run the Shortcuts from iPhone Control Center?

Yes. Add a Shortcut control for Load Clipboard and another for Download Clipboard, so both actions are available directly from the pull-down Control Center.

Where can I install the Docker server?

Use Docker Compose or the prepared App Store instructions for ZimaOS, Portainer, Umbrel, Runtipi and Dockge.

View source and documentation Server App Store