macOS Tahoe Clipboard History: The Complete Guide & Review

Q: FAQs: macOS Clipboard History

Will Spotlight's clipboard history be free? Yes, it's a new feature included for free in the macOS 26 Tahoe update. How long does it save my copied items? It only saves your history for 8 hours. After that, everything is automatically deleted. For unlimited storage, you’ll need a third-party tool. Is it safe to use with passwords? In its current beta form, no. It saves passwords in plain text. For better security, use a tool like Clipboard History Pro that includes a password lock to protect your data. Will this replace my current clipboard app? If you're a power user who relies on features like unlimited history, text expansion, or cross-device sync, you will not be switching. Apple's tool is too basic and Mac-only. Does this sync with my phone? Apple's Universal Clipboard is supposed to handle this, but it can be unreliable. For consistent syncing between your computer and phone, a browser-based tool like Clipboard History Pro ensures your clipboard is available on any device where you're logged into Chrome.

Apple's New Clipboard History in macOS Tahoe: Everything You Need to Know

Ever copy an important link, get distracted, and then copy something else, losing the first item forever? For decades, Mac users have relied on third-party apps to solve this common problem of how to retrieve lost clipboard data.

But with the upcoming macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple is finally adding a clipboard history manager directly into Spotlight. This new feature remembers what you copy. Text, links, and images, all of it, so you can find and reuse them later. It's a major step in the long history of the clipboard.

This guide breaks down how the new feature works, what it can (and can't) do, and whether it's good enough to replace established tools.

Quick Answer: Is macOS Tahoe's Clipboard History Any Good?

In short: It's a great start for casual users, but power users won't be switching yet. The new clipboard history is built into Spotlight, easy to access, and remembers text and images.

However, the beta version has major limitations: it deletes your history after 8 hours (!!) and has a serious security flaw that saves passwords in plain text. It's a welcome free addition, but it's not a replacement for powerful, cross-platform solutions like Clipboard History Pro that offer more features and better security.

How to Use Spotlight's New Clipboard History (Step-by-Step)

Based on early beta reports, the feature is turned off by default and a little hidden. Here’s how to find and enable it:

Step 1: Open Spotlight

Use the keyboard shortcut Command + Space to open the familiar Spotlight search bar.

Step 2: Reveal the New Options

Press the Tab key. The search bar will shrink, and new bubble-like options for Applications, Files, and more will appear.

Step 3: Find and Enable Clipboard History

Navigate to the Clipboard option at the end of the row. You can also use the shortcut Command + 4.
The first time you do this, a prompt will appear warning you that "sensitive information may appear." You must click Enable to turn the feature on.

Step 4: View and Use Your History

You will now see a simple list of your recently copied items. Click any item to copy it to your clipboard again, ready to paste.

Key Features: What It Can (and Can't) Do

Understanding what a clipboard manager is helps to see where Spotlight's new feature shines and where it falls short.

What it offers:

Text & Image Support: Saves both text snippets and images you copy.
Simple Interface: Presents a clean, minimalist list of your recent items.
Built-in & Free: Comes included with macOS Tahoe at no extra cost.
Clear History: A single button lets you wipe your entire clipboard history at once.

What it's missing:

8-Hour Limit: Your entire history is automatically and permanently deleted after eight hours, making it useless for finding things you copied yesterday.
No Pinned Items: You can't save frequently used snippets permanently. This is a core function of text expander tools, which allow you to create shortcuts for replies, links, and addresses.
No Editing: You can't edit a copied item before pasting it.
No Advanced Features: It lacks pro features like cloud sync, folders for organization, or advanced search, which highlights why a dedicated clipboard manager is still essential for many users.

To be honest, it seems like a basic version of the built-in Windows Clipboard Manager.

The Big Problem: A Serious Security Flaw

The most significant issue with the beta version is its handling of sensitive data.

Spotlight's clipboard history saves passwords copied from apps like 1Password or Keychain and displays them in plain view.

This is a major security risk. In contrast, dedicated tools like Clipboard History Pro offer security features like a password lock to protect your data. The best clipboard managers are designed to prevent this exact problem, making security a top consideration when choosing a tool.

Spotlight vs. Clipboard History Pro

How does Apple's new feature stack up against a powerful, browser-based tool like Clipboard History Pro? While Spotlight offers system-wide convenience, it can't compete on features, security, or cross-platform flexibility.

Feature	Spotlight (macOS Tahoe)	Clipboard History Pro
History Retention	8 hours, then deleted	Unlimited & configurable
Password Handling	Stores passwords in plain view	Password Lock for privacy
Pinned Items/Snippets	No	Yes (Favorites, Folders & Text Expansion)
Cross-Platform	Apple devices only	Works on any device with Chrome (Mac, Windows, Mobile)
Search & Organization	Basic list	Advanced search, folders, favorites
Price	Free (with OS)	Free & Pro Tiers

The Verdict: Apple's tool will introduce millions of users to the concept of a clipboard history. When those users need to save multiple copied items for longer than a workday or across different devices, they will need a more powerful solution like Clipboard History Pro.

A Welcome, But Flawed, Foundation

For the average Mac user, the new built-in clipboard history is a fantastic productivity boost. It makes daily tasks faster and finally adds a core function that has been missing for years.

However, its current limitations, especially the 8-hour history wipe and the alarming security flaw, make it a non-starter for serious users. If you work in a browser, manage a team, or use both a Mac and a Windows PC, a dedicated tool remains essential. It’s a solid foundation, but for now, the best clipboard history extensions offer far more power and flexibility.

FAQs: macOS Clipboard History

Will Spotlight's clipboard history be free?

Yes, it's a new feature included for free in the macOS 26 Tahoe update.

How long does it save my copied items?

It only saves your history for 8 hours. After that, everything is automatically deleted. For unlimited storage, you’ll need a third-party tool.

Is it safe to use with passwords?

In its current beta form, no. It saves passwords in plain text. For better security, use a tool like Clipboard History Pro that includes a password lock to protect your data.

Will this replace my current clipboard app?

If you're a power user who relies on features like unlimited history, text expansion, or cross-device sync, you will not be switching. Apple's tool is too basic and Mac-only.

Does this sync with my phone?

Apple's Universal Clipboard is supposed to handle this, but it can be unreliable. For consistent syncing between your computer and phone, a browser-based tool like Clipboard History Pro ensures your clipboard is available on any device where you're logged into Chrome.