Why it is not just copy and paste
Apple’s Universal Clipboard lets you copy on an iPhone and paste on a Mac or iPad, as long as they use the same Apple ID. Android has its own features, such as sharing with nearby devices and a link to Windows PCs. None of them connect an Android phone with an iPhone. To move text from one to the other you need a third place that both can open: a web page, a message, a note or an email.
Method 1: an online clipboard (no app, no account)
This is the quickest way to move a link, an address, a code or a paragraph.
- On the phone that has the text, open the online clipboard in the browser and paste the text.
- Choose an expiry. 10 minutes is plenty for a quick transfer.
- Press Save to clipboard. You get a 6-digit code, a short link and a QR code.
- On the other phone, either open the site and enter the code on the Receive text tab, or point the camera at the QR code and open the link.
- Press Copy, then paste where you need it.
It works the same in both directions: Android to iPhone, iPhone to Android. There is nothing to install and no account on either phone.
Method 2: send it to yourself in a message or email
Paste the text into a message to yourself (or an email) on the first phone, then open that message on the second phone. It uses apps you already have.
Things to keep in mind:
- Messages stay in your history. Do not use this for passwords or private text.
- Some messaging apps shorten or convert long text and links, so check that what arrives is exactly what you sent.
- Email is slower because of delays and spam filters, but it is reliable for longer text.
Method 3: a shared note or document
Notes apps with accounts on both platforms, such as Google Keep, Google Docs, Microsoft OneNote or Notion, let you paste on one phone and read on the other. This works best when you will move text often and are happy to sign in on both phones. For one-off transfers it is more setup than needed.
Method 4: nearby sharing
Android has a sharing feature for nearby devices, and iPhones have AirDrop. Historically they did not talk to each other, though some newer phones are adding limited compatibility. If your phones support it, it can be the fastest option for files and photos. Because support depends on the model, treat it as a bonus, not the plan.
Which method should you choose?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| A link or code, right now | Online clipboard with the QR code |
| Something you want to keep | Shared note or message to yourself |
| Private text | Online clipboard with a password and delete after first view |
| Many transfers every day | A notes app signed in on both phones |
| A photo or video | Nearby sharing, a cloud folder or a message |
Tips for a smooth transfer
- Check the result: open the text on the second phone and scan it for missing characters before you delete the original.
- Keep it short for QR codes: share the link or the 6-digit code, not the whole text, if the text is long.
- Use a short expiry: a clip you no longer need should disappear on its own.
- Do not forget to copy the code: if you close the page without noting it, create a new clip.
- Use the same method both ways: once you have a routine, you will not need to think about it.
If the phone is for a different person
The same steps work for a friend with the other kind of phone: show them the QR code and let them scan it. There is nothing to configure on their side, and no need to exchange phone numbers or accounts. For moving text to a computer instead, see sending text from a phone to a PC, and if the computer runs Windows, the guide to copying text between an iPhone and Windows has extra options. To put a link on a television, see sending links to a smart TV.