Cross-device file transfer without installing an app
Moving a temporary file between a phone, computer, tablet, or TV does not always require cloud storage or a shared account.
When an online clipboard is a good fit
An online clipboard works well when a file only needs to move from one device to another: a screenshot from your phone to a computer, a document from a laptop to a tablet, or a file you need on a shared computer without signing in to a personal account.
It is especially useful when the devices belong to different ecosystems, AirDrop is unavailable, or installing and registering for another app would take longer than the transfer itself.
- Transfer between a phone and a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer
- Move files to or from a meeting-room, print-shop, or lab computer
- Send files that only need to remain available for minutes or days
Transfer a file in four steps
Open clipboard.im on the first device. The site assigns a temporary clipboard address, which you can replace with an easy-to-type name containing at least five letters or numbers.
- Select or drop the file in the upload area
- Wait for the upload to finish, then scan the QR code with the second device
- Open the same clipboard address and select the file to download it
- Delete the file after it arrives; files left online are automatically cleaned up after 7 days
Choosing between an address, QR code, and password
A QR code is fastest when both devices are nearby. If you set a custom address, avoid personal details such as your phone number, full name, ID number, or an internal project name.
Anyone who knows an unprotected address may try to open it. Set a password before uploading information that should not be public, and send the address and password through separate trusted channels when possible.
Temporary transfer is not a backup
The strength of an online clipboard is speed, not long-term storage. Keep the original file on your device or in reliable storage, and never leave the only copy in a temporary transfer service.