How to Use a Clipboard Keyboard Extension on iPhone

August 11, 2026

How do you use a clipboard keyboard extension on iPhone?

A clipboard keyboard extension adds your saved clipboard history directly inside your iPhone keyboard. Instead of switching apps to find something you copied earlier, you access it while typing — in WhatsApp, Gmail, Slack, or any app — and paste it in one tap.

 

QuickPaste includes a keyboard extension for iPhone that connects your clipboard history to every app on your device. Once enabled, your full copy history is one keyboard switch away.

 

→ For the complete guide: Clipboard Manager for iPhone: The Complete Guide

 

How do you set up the QuickPaste keyboard extension on iPhone?

  • Step 1 — Download QuickPaste
    Install QuickPaste: Clipboard Manager free from the App Store. No account required.

  • Step 2 — Open iPhone Settings
    Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard.

  • Step 3 — Select QuickPaste
    Scroll through the list of available keyboards and tap QuickPaste to add it.

  • Step 4 — Allow Full Access
    Tap QuickPaste in your keyboard list → toggle Allow Full Access on. This is required for the keyboard extension to read your saved clipboard history.

  • Step 5 — Switch to QuickPaste while typing
    Open any app with a text field. Tap the text field to bring up your keyboard. Long-press the globe key — the language switch key at the bottom left — and select QuickPaste from the list.

  • Step 6 — Tap any saved clip to paste
    Your full clipboard history appears in a scrollable list. Tap any item and it pastes directly into the active text field — instantly, without leaving the app.

 

Does the QuickPaste keyboard extension work in every iPhone app?

Yes. Because QuickPaste works as a native iOS keyboard extension, it is available inside every app that uses the standard iPhone keyboard — WhatsApp, iMessage, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Notes, Safari, Instagram, and any other app with a text input field.

What can you paste from the QuickPaste keyboard extension?

QuickPaste saves three content types and all three are accessible directly from the keyboard:

Text — messages, saved replies, addresses, notes, templates, code snippets

Links — URLs, referral codes, social media links, any web address you copied

Images — screenshots, photos, and graphics copied from any app

All three appear in the same scrollable list inside the keyboard. No switching between tabs or categories.

Is it safe to allow Full Access for the QuickPaste keyboard extension?

Yes. Full Access is required by iOS for any keyboard extension that needs to read saved data. QuickPaste uses Full Access only to display your clipboard history inside the keyboard — it does not transmit any data externally. Everything stays on your device and syncs only through iCloud.

You can also enable Face ID lock on your clipboard history so even with Full Access enabled, your clips require biometric authentication before anyone can view them.

How do you switch back to the standard iPhone keyboard from QuickPaste?

Long-press the globe key again while the QuickPaste keyboard is active and select your default keyboard from the list. Switching between keyboards takes one second and works in any app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → select QuickPaste. Then enable Allow Full Access. Your QuickPaste keyboard is now available in every app.

iOS requires Full Access for any keyboard extension that reads external data. QuickPaste uses it solely to display your clipboard history inside the keyboard. No data leaves your device through this permission.

Yes. The QuickPaste keyboard extension works entirely on-device. Your clipboard history is accessible offline at all times.

Long-press the globe key at the bottom left of your keyboard. A list of installed keyboards appears — tap any one to switch instantly.

No. QuickPaste uses an event-driven model that only activates when you open the keyboard extension. It has no impact on typing speed or keyboard responsiveness when you are using your standard keyboard.

Yes. Images you saved to QuickPaste through the Action Extension appear in your keyboard history alongside text and links. Tap any image clip to paste it into a compatible app.

Get Quick Paste on your iPhone

Free clipboard manager for iOS — save text, images, and links, then paste anywhere in one tap.