Google Chrome will soon let you copy text on one device and paste it on another

Google on different devices
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

You can already use your Google Account to sync your Chrome bookmarks, browsing history and preferences between devices, but now Google is adding another feature: the ability to sync your clipboard.

This will allow you to copy content on one device, and paste it into another, eliminating the need to jot details like addresses or directions down on paper, or create a file in Google Docs.

Clipboard sharing won't be enabled on all your devices by default; for security, you'll have to choose which ones will be permitted to share data manually. It looks like it will be available for Chrome on both desktop and Android.

That syncing feeling

As Android Police reports, although clipboard syncing isn't available to try just yet, it looks like it will soon be available in Chrome Canary – an early build of the browser intended for developers and anyone who wants to be first to take new features for a spin.

To make sure you're ready when the feature arrives, download Chrome Canary and enter chrome://flags in the address bar. Scroll down the list of flags (experimental features that haven't yet been fully implemented) until you find 'Enable receiver device to handle shared clipboard features' and 'Enable shared clipboard feature signals to be handled'. Change the status box beside each of these from 'Default' to 'Enabled', and then just keep an eye on the Chrome Releases blog.

Cat Ellis
Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she's a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.

Latest in Chrome
Google Chrome browser icon
A new split-screen feature is coming to Google Chrome, and it's surprisingly powerful
A finger touching the google chrome icon in the Windows 10 start menu
A new Chrome browser highjacking attack could affect billions of users - here's how to fight it
Close-up of Asus Chromebook CM14 ports on left side
Are you an educator or student? Google's new features for Chromebooks and more will make your life way easier
Chrome icon on Android
Google plans on a handy fix for all those duplicate Chrome tabs, but it's only for Android
A trophy with the Chrome logo on it and a star with "2024" written in it
These are the best Chrome Extensions of 2024 – according to Google
Close up of Chromebook
Chrome slowing down your laptop? Google’s new performance controls could help the browser run faster
Latest in News
Vision Pro Metallica
Apple Vision Pro goes off to never never land with Metallica concert footage
Mufasa is joined by another lion, a monkey and a bird in this promotional image
Mufasa: The Lion King prowls onto Disney+ as it finally gets a streaming release date
An American flag flying outside the US Capitol building against a blue sky
Sean Plankey selected as CISA director by President Trump
An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 on a table with its retail packaging
Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU spotted in Acer gaming PC, suggesting rumors of imminent launch are correct – and that it’ll run with only 8GB of video RAM
Indiana Jones talking to a friend in a university setting with a jaunty smile on his face
New leak claims Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release will come in April
A close up of the limited edition vinyl turntable wrist watch from AndoAndoAndo
This limited-edition timepiece turns the iconic Technics SL-1200 turntable into a watch, and I want one