Google is reportedly developing a Universal Clipboard feature for Android 17, marking the arrival of a long-requested capability that Apple users have enjoyed for years. According to a report by Android Authority, the upcoming feature will allow seamless cross-device copy and paste between Android phones and Chromebooks—without needing any third-party apps. This move strengthens Google’s push toward better cross-device connectivity and a more unified Android ecosystem.
The Universal Clipboard would let users copy text, links, and selected media on one Android device and instantly paste it on another. While early indications suggest that Google’s version may initially support fewer media types than Apple’s implementation, the update represents a significant improvement over the current fragmented system.
At present, syncing clipboard content between Pixel phones and Windows PCs requires setting SwiftKey as the default keyboard. Some OEMs offer limited clipboard syncing through their own system utilities, which rely on special permissions to send clipboard data to Microsoft’s Phone Link app. With Android 17, Google appears ready to eliminate these workarounds by integrating native cross-device syncing via Google Play Services.
The timing aligns with Google’s renewed focus on Android PCs, Chromebooks, and multi-device continuity features, including its upcoming Handoff for Android solution. Internal builds reportedly use the same “Universal Clipboard” name as Apple, though it remains unclear whether this branding will carry over to the final release.
Recent Android beta and canary builds reveal a new UniversalClipboardManager class inside the android.companion.datatransfer.continuity framework—the same location where Google’s Handoff-style feature is being developed. This indicates deeper system-level integration and suggests that the Universal Clipboard may become a core part of Google’s multi-device experience.
If finalized, the feature would finally bring Android on par with Apple’s seamless ecosystem, making cross-device productivity, file sharing, and multitasking significantly smoother for millions of users.
