# Cannot Paste

You **can see the content** in clip history but can't paste it into the target app. Work this page. This is a paste/use-layer problem: the content is already on this device, so separate "won't paste" from "didn't sync over."

Not sure this is the right page? Use the minimal test in the [Troubleshooting overview](/advanced/troubleshooting/overview) to find the layer first.

## Who this is for

- Users who can see a clip in history but get nothing when pasting into some app
- Users whose auto paste / shortcut paste fails

If the content **isn't visible in the target device's history** at all, see [Sync Failed](/advanced/troubleshooting/sync-failed) first; if it's missing from the local history, see [Clip History Not Showing](/advanced/troubleshooting/clip-history-not-showing).

## Check in order

:::steps
:::step{title="Test in a plain text field first"}

Paste into the system notes or a text editor. If it **pastes**, the target app is restricting it; if it **doesn't**, continue below.

:::
:::step{title="Confirm the target app is focused and allows pasting"}

Some apps (password fields, secure keyboards, certain sandboxed apps) restrict programmatic pasting. Click into the field to focus it before pasting.

:::
:::step{title="Check permissions required for auto paste"}

Auto paste, input monitoring, or automation features need the matching system permission:

- **macOS**: Accessibility / Automation (input monitoring) permission — see [macOS Permissions](/advanced/macos/permissions).
- **Android**: Accessibility Service — see [Quick Input Alias](/features/quick-input-alias) and background monitoring docs.
- **Windows**: confirm the app runs in the tray and global shortcuts don't conflict.

:::
:::step{title="Rule out shortcut conflicts"}

Confirm the paste shortcut or trigger isn't taken by another app. Try a manual paste (copy back to the system clipboard, then paste) for comparison.

:::
:::step{title="Compare content types with plain text"}

Paste plain text first, then an image or file reference, to tell "nothing pastes" apart from "a certain type won't paste" — some target apps don't accept image/file paste.
:::
:::

> [!WARNING] Secure fields may block pasting
> Password fields, banking apps, or fields with a secure keyboard may block programmatic pasting at the system level. Use a manual paste, or verify in an ordinary field first.

## How to verify after fixing

- Select a plain-text clip in history.
- Paste the same content into an ordinary text field successfully.
- Confirm your usual target app accepts it too.

## Still not solved

Please include:

- Platform and OS version
- App version
- Target app name and context (ordinary field / password field / specific app)
- Content type (plain text / link / image / file reference)
- Paste method (manual / auto paste / shortcut / trigger)
- Whether required permissions are granted (**macOS** Accessibility / **Android** Accessibility)
- Reproduction steps (shortest path)

## Next steps

:::cards{cols=2}
:::card{title="macOS Permissions" icon="lucide.lock" href="/advanced/macos/permissions"}
On macOS, auto paste depends on Accessibility/input-monitoring permission.

:::
:::card{title="Cross-device copy and paste" icon="lucide.clipboard-paste" href="/features/cross-device-paste"}
Review the full cross-device paste path and prerequisites.

:::
:::card{title="Sync failed" icon="lucide.refresh-cw" href="/advanced/troubleshooting/sync-failed"}
If the target history has no such clip, debug sync first.

:::
:::card{title="Permission issues" icon="lucide.shield-alert" href="/advanced/troubleshooting/permission-issues"}
Work through OS-level permission problems by platform.
:::
:::