SMS source
The SMS source requires the READ_SMS permission on Android, which grants access to all SMS messages on the device. This is a sensitive permission. This feature is available only in the official APK build; store builds (e.g., Google Play) exclude it due to policy restrictions. iOS does not provide an SMS-reading API to third-party apps, so the SMS source is available only on Android official APK builds.
For things like OTP SMS, you often open the Messages app and copy manually. After you enable this source and grant permission, the app can try to extract what you need from new messages and create a clip in clip history or Quick Input. Whether and how fast that clip appears on other devices depends on your sync choices and OS limits—not every message syncs instantly.
What does it do?
After you grant access, the app can:
- Pull specific kinds of information from newly received SMS (such as one-time codes)
- Create a clip automatically so it appears in clip history or Quick Input
- Let you paste in one step instead of selecting, copying, and switching apps manually
Why extract key information?
Often you only need a small slice of a message—for example a verification code. The app automates those repeated micro-actions.
Privacy and permissions
- SMS content is accessed only after you explicitly grant permission
- Parsing targets specific patterns (such as verification-style messages) and runs entirely on-device; no SMS content is ever uploaded to any cloud server for processing.
- Extracted content is stored as clips on the device; whether it syncs depends entirely on your sync settings
Next
Organize and search clips: Clip history overview. Cross-device: Sync overview. If behavior still looks wrong: First-run troubleshooting.