Copy and paste on a Mac (it's Command, not Ctrl)

Why it happens

Mac shortcuts use the Command (⌘) key where Windows uses Ctrl. The letters are the same, so Command-C copies, Command-X cuts and Command-V pastes. Pressing Control-C on a Mac usually does nothing, which is why copying seems broken at first.

How to fix it

1. Select the text, picture or file. Drag over text to highlight it, or click a file once.

2. Press Command-C. Nothing seems to happen, but it's now copied. For text you want to move, press Command-X instead.

3. Click where you want it and press Command-V.

4. Prefer the mouse? Open the Edit menu at the top of the screen and choose Copy, then Paste. Or Control-click the selection, or click with two fingers on a trackpad, and choose Copy.

   Menu bar›Edit›Copy

The clipboard history switch in Spotlight settings is called Clipboard Search in macOS 26 and Results from Clipboard in macOS 27. The copy and paste keys are the same in both.

Still not fixed?

1. If pasted text brings odd fonts or colours with it, use Option-Shift-Command-V, or Edit, then Paste and Match Style. It pastes plain text that matches where you put it.

   Menu bar›Edit›Paste and Match Style

2. To copy on your iPhone and paste on your Mac, both need Handoff on and to be signed in to the same Apple Account. Check Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices in AirDrop & Continuity.

   General›AirDrop & Continuity

3. Want to find something you copied earlier? Spotlight can keep a clipboard history. Switch it on in Spotlight settings.

   macOS 26 Tahoe Spotlight›Clipboard Search

   macOS 27 Golden Gate Spotlight›Results from Clipboard

4. If copy and paste stops working in every app, restart the Mac. That clears whatever got stuck.

5. If the Edit menu's Copy works but Command-C never does, a Command key may be faulty. Try the other Command key or another keyboard, and if it's your MacBook's own keyboard, contact Apple Support or a repair shop.