The basic method: three taps and a swipe

To copy text on iPad, tap and hold on the word you want to copy until a menu appears. The word will be highlighted in blue. Tap Copy from the menu that pops up. Then open the app or document where you want to paste, tap and hold in the spot where you want the text to go, and tap Paste.

If you need to copy more than one word, tap and hold on the first word, then drag the blue handles at either end of the selection to expand it to include everything you want. This works in most apps — Mail, Notes, Safari, Messages, and most third-party apps that let you edit text.

The clipboard on iPad works the same way it does on a computer: once you copy something, it stays copied until you copy something else. You can paste the same thing multiple times without copying it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap and hold on text until the menu appears, then tap Copy; tap and hold where you want to paste and tap Paste.
  • Drag the blue selection handles to copy multiple words or sentences at once.
  • You can paste the same copied text as many times as you want without copying it again.
  • Some apps like PDFs or images may require different steps, but the tap-and-hold method works in most places you can edit text.
  • If the Copy or Paste option does not appear, the app may not support that action in that location.

Copying text from websites in Safari

Copying from a webpage works the same way as copying from any other app. Tap and hold on the text you want to copy, then tap Copy from the menu. If you want to copy a link instead of the text around it, tap and hold directly on the link itself — you will see a Copy Link option instead.

If you want to copy an image from a website, tap and hold on the image until a menu appears. You will see options like Copy, Save Image, or Copy Image depending on what the website allows. Some websites block copying of images, so the option may not appear.

Copying and pasting between different apps

The clipboard on iPad is shared across all apps, so you can copy text in Safari and paste it into Notes, or copy from Mail and paste into Messages. This works seamlessly — there is no extra step needed.

One thing to know: if you copy something in one app and then switch to another app and copy something else, the first thing you copied is gone. Only the most recent copy stays on the clipboard. If you need to keep text around for later, paste it into Notes first so you have a backup.

Copying text from images and PDFs

On newer iPad models running iPadOS 15 or later, you can copy text directly from images and PDFs without typing it out. Open the image or PDF, tap and hold on the text you want to copy, and tap Copy Text from the menu. This works with screenshots, photos, and scanned documents.

If you do not see a Copy Text option, your iPad may be running an older version of iPadOS, or the image quality may be too low for the system to recognize the text. You can still take a screenshot of the image and try again, or manually select and copy the text if it appears in an editable format.

What to do when Copy or Paste is not available

Some apps do not allow copying or pasting in certain places. For example, password fields in banking apps usually block copying for security reasons — you have to type the password in by hand. Similarly, some apps prevent pasting into search boxes or login fields to prevent automated attacks.

If you tap and hold and do not see a Copy or Paste option, the app or that specific field does not support it. This is usually intentional for security or design reasons. Try a different approach: you might be able to use the Share button instead, or look for an export option in the app's menu.

Using the universal clipboard to copy between devices

If you have an iPad and a Mac or iPhone signed into the same iCloud account, you can copy on one device and paste on another. This is called Handoff or the universal clipboard. Copy something on your iPad, switch to your Mac or iPhone, and paste — the text will be there.

For this to work, both devices must be signed into the same iCloud account, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and be on the same network. The copied item stays on the clipboard for a few minutes, so you have time to switch devices. This does not work with non-Apple devices.

Troubleshooting copy and paste problems

If copy and paste stops working, try these steps in order. First, force-close the app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and swiping the app up and off the screen. Then reopen it and try again. If that does not work, restart your iPad by holding the power button until the slider appears, then slide to power off.

If the problem continues, check that you are running the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, install it. If copy and paste still does not work in a specific app, that app may have a bug — try updating it from the App Store, or contact the app maker's support team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste between my iPad and my iPhone?

Yes, if both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Copy on one device and paste on the other within a few minutes. This works across Safari, Mail, Notes, and most other apps.

Why can't I paste into a password field?

Many apps block pasting into password fields as a security measure to prevent someone from pasting a password they found or stole. You have to type passwords in by hand. Some banking and security apps are stricter about this than others.

Does copy and paste work the same way on iPad as on iPhone?

Yes, the steps are identical. Tap and hold, tap Copy, then tap and hold where you want to paste and tap Paste. The only difference is the screen size, which makes it easier to see the selection handles on iPad.

What happens to my clipboard when I turn off my iPad?

The clipboard is cleared when you power off your iPad. If you need to save something you copied, paste it into Notes or another app before shutting down. The universal clipboard between devices also clears after a few minutes.

Can I copy multiple things at once without losing the first one?

No, the iPad clipboard only holds one item at a time. If you need to keep multiple pieces of text, paste each one into Notes as you go. Some third-party clipboard apps let you save a history of copied items, but the built-in clipboard does not.