The basic method works the same on most tablets
Copying and pasting on a tablet uses the same principle as on a computer, but the gestures are different because tablets have no keyboard or mouse. On both iPad and Android tablets, you select text by tapping and holding it, then choose copy from the menu that appears. To paste, you tap and hold in the destination field and select paste.
The exact steps vary slightly between iPad and Android, and some tablets add their own variations. But the core action — tap and hold to select, choose copy, tap and hold to paste — works across nearly all modern tablets.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold on text to open a selection menu, then drag the handles to select what you want to copy.
- Choose copy from the menu that appears after you select text.
- Tap and hold in the destination field and select paste to insert the copied text.
- On iPad, you can also use keyboard shortcuts (Command+C to copy, Command+V to paste) if you have a physical keyboard connected.
- Some apps have their own copy and paste buttons instead of using the standard tablet method.
How to copy text on an iPad
On an iPad, tap and hold directly on the word you want to copy. A menu will appear with options including "Copy". If you want to copy more than one word, keep holding and drag the blue handles that appear at the start and end of the selection until they cover all the text you need.
Once your selection is highlighted in blue, tap "Copy" from the menu. The text is now stored in your clipboard. You can copy text from emails, web pages, notes, or almost any app that displays text.
If your iPad is connected to a physical keyboard, you can also select text by clicking and dragging with the trackpad, then press Command+C to copy.
How to copy text on an Android tablet
On Android tablets, the process is nearly identical. Tap and hold on the word you want to copy, and selection handles will appear as blue dots or lines around that word. Drag these handles to expand your selection to include all the text you need.
Once the text is highlighted, a menu will pop up with options. Tap "Copy" to store the text in your clipboard. Different Android tablets and different apps may label this button slightly differently — sometimes it says "Copy to clipboard" — but the function is the same.
How to paste text on a tablet
To paste text you have copied, tap and hold in the field where you want the text to go. This could be a text message, an email, a note, a search box, or any other place that accepts text input. A menu will appear with a "Paste" option.
Tap "Paste" and the copied text will appear at that location. On iPad with a keyboard, you can also press Command+V instead of using the menu. On Android, if you have a keyboard connected, Ctrl+V usually works as well, though this depends on the tablet model and keyboard type.
If you do not see a "Paste" option in the menu, it usually means nothing is currently in your clipboard, or the app does not allow pasting in that particular field.
Copying and pasting between different apps
Your tablet's clipboard works across all apps. If you copy text from a web browser, you can paste it into an email or a notes app. If you copy from a document, you can paste it into a text message. The copied text stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, which replaces it.
Some apps have restrictions on what you can paste. For example, a password field might not allow pasting for security reasons. In those cases, you will need to type the text manually instead.
Copying and pasting images on a tablet
The same tap-and-hold method works for images. On an iPad, tap and hold on an image and a menu will appear with options including "Copy". On Android, tap and hold an image and select "Copy image" or similar wording from the menu.
To paste an image, tap and hold in the destination field — such as an email, message, or document — and select "Paste". Not all apps support image pasting, so if you do not see a paste option, that app may not allow it.
What to do if copy and paste is not working
If the copy and paste menu does not appear when you tap and hold, try tapping a bit longer — some tablets need a longer press to trigger the menu. Make sure you are tapping directly on the text or image, not on empty space around it.
If copy and paste works in some apps but not others, the problem is usually with that specific app rather than your tablet. Try closing and reopening the app, or restart your tablet if the problem persists across multiple apps. Restarting clears temporary glitches that sometimes block the clipboard from working.
On older tablets or older versions of iPad OS and Android, the copy and paste gestures may be slightly different. Check your tablet's settings or help section if the standard tap-and-hold method does not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste between my tablet and my phone?
On iPad and iPhone, you can use a feature called Universal Clipboard if both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and are on the same Wi-Fi network. Copy on one device and paste on the other. On Android, this feature is not built in, so you would need to use a third-party app or manually transfer the text.
What happens if I copy something new before I paste the old thing?
The new text replaces the old text in your clipboard. You can only have one thing copied at a time. If you need to keep multiple pieces of text, paste each one before copying the next, or use a notes app to store them temporarily.
Why does my tablet sometimes paste the wrong text?
This usually means you copied something else since the last time you pasted, and the clipboard was updated. Double-check what you copied most recently. Some tablets also have a clipboard history feature that lets you see and select from multiple recent copies — check your tablet's settings to see if this is available.
Can I copy text from a PDF on my tablet?
Yes, on most tablets you can tap and hold on text within a PDF to copy it, just as you would with any other text. Some PDF apps have restrictions, so if it does not work in one app, try opening the PDF in a different app or your tablet's default PDF reader.