Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps
Home
Android

Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)

Aug 25, 2014 08:48 PM
Aug 25, 2014 09:46 PM
Copying a URL from a web browser.

Pushbullet is one of those apps that helps separate Android from its competition. By pushing the boundaries of cross-platform data syncing and file sharing, the service truly demonstrates how flexible and robust the world's leading mobile operating system can be.

It seems as though each version bump that Pushbullet receives brings in awesome new functionality. This week's update is no exception—the latest killer feature enables cross-device clipboard syncing. As soon as you copy something on one device, you can paste it directly into a text field on another. This even includes Pushbullet's Windows program, so your digital world has never been more interconnected.

If you use two-step authentication for extra password security, you'll definitely want to get this one set up on your devices. Imagine receiving the code on your phone, copying it, then immediately pasting it into the field on your PC. The possibilities don't stop there, as the clipboard syncing will even work on multiple Android devices, so you can even share clipboard content between your phone and tablet.

Install Pushbullet for Android

Even though Pushbullet has branched out to add support for Windows, iOS, Chrome and Firefox, it's still an Android app at heart. If you don't already have it on your device, here's the Google Play link.

Pushbullet application interface with options to uninstall or open

Configure Pushbullet for Android

When you first launch the app, you'll be asked to log into your Google account. This is because Pushbullet uses the Google Cloud Messaging platform to send data between devices. So tap your Google account on the first menu, then press OK on the second.

Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)
Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)
Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)
Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)

After that, you'll be asked if you'd like to turn on Pushbullet's notification mirroring service. This feature will display notifications from your Android device on other connected devices, and while that's an awesome feature, it is not required for the purposes of this tutorial.

Notification access instructions for syncing phone calls and texts on a PC.
Screenshot of a mobile app interface displaying the message "What Do I Do Now?" with no additional content.
Notification access instructions for syncing phone calls and texts on a PC.
Screenshot of a mobile app interface displaying the message "What Do I Do Now?" with no additional content.

When you've arrived at Pushbullet's main screen, press the three-dot menu button and choose Settings. Next, tap the Advanced Settings entry on the following screen.

Mobile app interface showing options to add friends, send feedback, and access settings with a prompt asking "What Do I Do Now?"
Settings menu with general and advanced notification options.
Mobile app interface showing options to add friends, send feedback, and access settings with a prompt asking "What Do I Do Now?"
Settings menu with general and advanced notification options.

From here, simply toggle the Universal Copy & Paste option to On, and you'll be finished with setup on this device. You can repeat this process for any other Android device that you'd like to share clipboards with.

Advanced settings menu for notifications and copy-paste options on a mobile device.
Advanced settings for universal copy and paste functionality on a mobile device.
Advanced settings menu for notifications and copy-paste options on a mobile device.
Advanced settings for universal copy and paste functionality on a mobile device.

Install Pushbullet for Windows

In order to sync your Android's clipboard with the one on your PC, you'll have to install Pushbullet on your Windows device. From your PC's web browser, click here to download the latest Windows (beta) version; the download should begin automatically, and when it's finished, simply launch the installer file.

Computer desktop with application icons including web browser, and graphic design software.

Click Run on the next screen, then, depending on your setup, you may have to enter an administrator password to proceed.

Security warning dialog prompting to run a downloaded file.

From there, just follow the prompts for installation, leaving any options set to their default values.

Pushbullet Setup Wizard welcome screen with installation instructions.

When installation is complete, Pushbullet will automatically launch. From the window that appears, click Log in with Google.

Pushbullet Beta v98 login interface with Google option.

A browser window will open, and from here, just enter your Google credentials.

Google Account sign-in screen with email address and password input fields.

After that, simply click the Accept button, and Pushbullet will begin syncing right away.

Pushbullet app permissions request for email and profile information

To ensure that clipboard syncing is active on your Windows PC, open the system tray and right-click the Pushbullet icon, then select Settings.

Sync Your Android Clipboard with Windows (& Vice Versa)

From here, make sure that the Universal Copy & Paste option is ticked, and you should be all set.

Settings menu for Pushbullet showing user information and notification preferences.

Now, any time you copy text on one of your devices, the contents of that clipboard will be immediately synced to your other devices. Just hit paste on the target device, and your text will be automatically populated.

How has this new functionality improved your experience on your various devices? Let us know in the comments section below.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!