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Sagar-07
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Universal Clipboard not working between iPhone 18 Pro and MacBook Air M2 after switching iPhones

Title: Universal Clipboard Not Working Between iPhone 18 Pro and MacBook Air M2 After Switching iPhones


Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with Universal Clipboard between my iPhone 18 Pro and MacBook Air (M2), and I’m looking for a solution.

Universal Clipboard was working previously, but after switching to my new iPhone 18 Pro using Quick Start, it stopped working.

Issue:

  • I cannot copy text from my Mac and paste it on my iPhone.
  • I also cannot copy text from my iPhone and paste it on my Mac.
  • Both devices are signed in to my own Apple Account.

Troubleshooting I’ve already tried:

  1. Verified that Handoff is enabled on both devices.
  2. Confirmed that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on my Mac.
  3. Confirmed that AirDrop works successfully between my iPhone and Mac.
  4. Restarted my iPhone.
  5. Restarted the useractivityd process through Terminal on my Mac.
  6. Checked the useractivityd process and confirmed that it is running.
  7. Checked the Mac’s activity preferences, which show that advertising and receiving are enabled.

Unfortunately, none of these steps has resolved the issue.

Since AirDrop works and Handoff is enabled on both devices, I’m wondering whether this could be related to iCloud synchronization, Continuity services, or a software issue following the transfer to my new iPhone.

Has anyone experienced the same problem after switching to a new iPhone using Quick Start?

I’d appreciate any suggestions for resolving this issue. In particular, I’d like to know if there is a reliable solution that doesn’t require signing out of my Apple Account, resetting network settings, or erasing either device.

Device information:

  • Mac: MacBook Air M2
  • iPhone: iPhone 18 Pro
  • iPhone setup: Transferred from my previous iPhone using Quick Start
  • Handoff: Enabled on both devices
  • AirDrop: Working
  • Universal Clipboard: Not working in either direction


Used AI to Explain all the issue in detail to make it more clear and understandable so somebody can help me to fix the issue.

Posted on Oct 20, 2026 6:13 AM

9 replies

TheLittles
User level: Level 10 (211,627 points)

Oct 20, 2026 8:12 AM in response to Sagar-07

“Universal Clipboard not working between iPhone 18 Pro and MacBook Air M2 after switching iPhones“

———-


Universal Control Issues:


From Apple.

Go Here: Use Universal Clipboard to Copy and Paste Between your Apple Devices - Apple Support.

  1. Meet the minimum system requirements
  2. Make sure all is confirmed as it should
  3. Troubleshoot it from there(if necessary):



Use this Terminal Command:

defaults write ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd.plist ClipboardSharingEnabled 1

Source: universal clipboard basically never works - Reddit

There’s no mention of a new device on the post. Try what is provided. I would wonder if signing out of iCloud on all of your devices, and then signed back in would fix this.


dwb
User level: Level 7 (33,488 points)

Oct 20, 2026 7:52 AM in response to Sagar-07

I’ve experienced a stubborn universal clipboard issue between iPhone and iPad once and when a restart of both devices failed, I logged out of iCloud on both devices and logged back in. That seemed to solve it.

TheLittles
User level: Level 10 (211,627 points)

Oct 26, 2026 9:55 AM in response to Sagar-07

To the OP and ALL those Affected.




This seems to be catching on. So,…


Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: These are just user-to-user forums. Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of your occurrences, if you don't provided them to them.

  1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone- Apple
  2. Select: "Performance" for the "Feedback Type"
  3. Comment: that this all
  4. started after installing an update, and how you’ve troubleshot this, this far. Include the URL of this thread.
  5. Proceed from there as necessary
Rachk03
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Oct 21, 2026 10:47 AM in response to Sagar-07

I am also having this issue between my new iPhone 18 pro and my iPad Pro - it worked perfectly before upgrading my phone, like you I’ve followed the recommended steps on the apple support pages and the issue has not been resolved. I would normally use this function multiple times a day so it’s really annoying that it is no longer working …

Rachk03
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Oct 21, 2026 11:02 AM in response to Rachk03

I have now tried the signing out of iCloud on both devices and then signing back in. I signed back in on my phone first and used my password to log back in. Then I signed into my iPad using my phone as the other device. The issue is partially fixed - I can copy and paste from my iPad to my phone successfully but not the other way round..

TheLittles
User level: Level 10 (211,627 points)

Oct 21, 2026 7:15 PM in response to Rachk03

"I have now tried the signing out of iCloud on both devices and then signing back in. I signed back in on my phone first and used my password to log back in. Then I signed into my iPad using my phone as the other device. The issue is partially fixed - I can copy and paste from my iPad to my phone successfully but not the other way round.."

-------


Restart your devices.

Having made such changes, you should restart your devices.

Sagar-07 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 24, 2026 5:11 AM in response to TheLittles

I have tried this one but still not able to do so

Sagar-07 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 24, 2026 5:18 AM in response to Rachk03

still having issue

Sagar-07 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 24, 2026 5:19 AM in response to dwb

not fixed

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256379607