Microsoft is experimenting with a new feature for Windows 11 that allows clipboard synchronization between PCs and Android devices. The option was spotted in recent Insider (Dev Channel) builds and enables users to copy text on their computer and instantly paste it on their smartphone.
How It Works
The feature appears as a toggle labeled “Access PC’s Clipboard” under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices.
Once enabled—and with Clipboard History turned on in Windows—any text copied on the PC is automatically transferred to the Android clipboard. Users can then paste it directly from system keyboards like Gboard or Samsung Keyboard.
The feature relies on the Phone Link app on Android and requires signing in with the same Microsoft account across both devices. For now, the sync is one-way only (PC → Android), but Microsoft could expand it to work in both directions in the future. Even with this limitation, it removes the need for workarounds like emailing yourself text or using messaging apps to transfer snippets.
This improvement builds on Microsoft’s ongoing effort to make Windows and Android work together more smoothly, offering a continuity experience similar to Apple’s Handoff. Clipboard history and sync have existed between Windows PCs since the October 2018 Update, but Android integration was the missing piece.
SwiftKey Not Required
Interestingly, the feature bypasses SwiftKey, Microsoft’s own keyboard that previously offered clipboard syncing but has faced reliability issues. Because the new implementation writes directly into Android’s system clipboard, it works with any keyboard app without extra setup.
With this update, Microsoft continues to strengthen Phone Link as a central tool for bridging the gap between Windows PCs and Android smartphones, following recent additions like resuming mobile apps on the desktop.
