shareclick / share clipboard between Mac and Windows
How to share clipboard between Mac and Windows
To share a clipboard between a Mac and Windows PC, install ShareClick on both computers and pair them on the same local network. Copy text or an image on either machine and paste it on the other. The transfer stays on your LAN and is encrypted end to end.
the quickest method
macOS Universal Clipboard does not support Windows, and Windows clipboard sync is designed around Windows devices. A cross-platform app fills that gap. ShareClick combines clipboard sync with mouse and keyboard sharing, so the two computers behave like one desk rather than two separate systems.
- Download ShareClick for macOS and Windows from the official releases page.
- Install and start it on both computers connected to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet LAN.
- Pair the computers and confirm the same encrypted connection.
- Copy text or an image normally, switch to the other computer, and paste.
No browser tab, cloud drive or message to yourself is required. Clipboard monitoring runs in the background while ShareClick is connected.
what can be copied?
| Content | How ShareClick handles it |
|---|---|
| Plain text | Automatic clipboard sync in both directions |
| Images | Raw image clipboard data is synchronized |
| Files | Sent through the separate encrypted file-transfer channel |
| Passwords and sensitive text | Transferred if copied while connected; treat the paired computer as trusted |
Clipboard formats differ between operating systems, so rich application-specific formatting may not always survive a cross-platform paste. Plain text and images are the most portable formats. Files use ShareClick's file-transfer feature instead of pretending to be clipboard text.
how clipboard security works
Clipboard contents can include passwords, tokens and private notes, so transport security matters. ShareClick keeps traffic on the local network. Pairing uses an authenticated shared secret, while X25519 key exchange and ChaCha20-Poly1305 protect both the clipboard and file channels. There is no ShareClick account and clipboard data is not stored in a ShareClick cloud service.
Only pair computers you control. Clear the clipboard after copying a sensitive value, and disconnect ShareClick on networks or machines you do not trust.
troubleshooting clipboard sync
Both computers must be connected
Confirm that ShareClick reports a live connection on both machines. Clipboard changes made while disconnected cannot be delivered retroactively.
Check local network and firewall access
Both machines need to reach each other on the same LAN. On Windows, allow ShareClick through the firewall. Guest Wi-Fi networks often isolate devices and prevent local discovery.
Grant macOS permissions
Open macOS System Settings and confirm that ShareClick has the permissions requested during setup. Restart the app after changing a permission.
Try plain text first
Copy a short line from a basic text editor. If that works but content from one specific app does not, the source app may use a private clipboard format. Pasting as plain text is the most reliable cross-platform test.
clipboard sharing vs cloud sync
Emailing text to yourself or placing a file in cloud storage can work, but those methods add an account, internet dependency and extra steps. A LAN clipboard tool is intended for two computers on the same desk: copy, cross the screen edge, and paste immediately. Cloud storage remains useful when the machines are not on the same network or when you need long-term file history.
frequently asked questions
Can I share a clipboard between Mac and Windows?
Yes. Install ShareClick on
both computers, pair them on the same LAN, then copy and paste normally between systems.
Does Apple Universal Clipboard work with Windows?
No. It is part of Apple's
ecosystem. ShareClick provides a separate Mac-to-Windows path.
Does clipboard sync require the internet?
No. The paired computers communicate
directly over the local network.
Can ShareClick transfer files?
Yes. Files use a reliable encrypted channel,
separate from low-latency mouse and keyboard input.