Microsoft wants Apple to bring seamless copy and paste between Windows PCs and iPhones

[Daniel Sims]

What we know so far: To comply with Europe's new tech industry regulations, Apple must allow businesses and developers to request interoperability with their devices. A recent request from Microsoft could allow users to seamlessly copy and paste content between Windows PCs and Apple devices, but whether the feature would be available globally remains unclear.

MacRumors recently spotted a request from Microsoft to Apple to enhance copy-and-paste capabilities between Windows and Apple devices in Europe. If implemented, the functionality might resemble the Universal Clipboard that currently works across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Developers who support Apple devices can view this and similar requests made via Apple's interoperability request form. The company launched the portal in compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which, among other things, required Apple to allow broader compatibility between its platforms and third-party services.

Microsoft requested that Apple introduce a feature allowing users to copy text or other supported content on iPhones and paste it directly on Windows PCs and vice versa. The Redmond firm also asked that the functionality work seamlessly in the background, in contrast with how non-Apple services normally interact with the clipboard.

– Aaron (@aaronp613) August 3, 2026

Currently, users can paste only into third-party apps running in the foreground, and only after manually granting clipboard access for each copy-and-paste action. Under Apple's proposed solution, a paired device such as a Windows PC might be able to access an Apple device's pasteboard indefinitely after showing users a one-time consent pop-up.

However, Cupertino claims that implementing the functionality would be a significant undertaking and would likely take more than a year. The company estimates that development might finish by late 2027, followed by a developer beta, so a public release before 2028 is unlikely. Furthermore, the request applies to EU countries, so Apple is under no obligation to implement the feature globally.

The latest EU crackdowns will force Google to expand access to third-party AI assistants on Android devices and require watermarks on AI-generated content. Some hardware manufacturers, such as Logitech and Nintendo, are already complying in advance by shipping devices with removable batteries, but these devices will be available only in Europe.

Soon, Roblox and ChatGPT might also need to comply with the DMA's new rules. Since the EU is now considering whether the services are popular enough to act as "gatekeepers," they may soon have to become more transparent regarding advertising and report suspected illegal content.

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Microsoft wants Apple to bring seamless copy and paste between Windows PCs and iPhones

 

[m4a4]

Having used KDE Connect to have my text clipboard shared automatically, this is a great feature that should be (more) native for those that want to use it.

It's also nice as someone who mains his PC more than his phone. Especially when sharing awkward web links lol

 

[kingmustard]

The title states "Microsoft wants Apple to bring seamless copy and paste between Windows PCs and iPhones" ('wants') and the X post says it is marked as a 'feature request' but the X post also says it is a 'confirmed iOS 28 feature'. Confusing.

 

[Axeia]

However, Cupertino claims that implementing the functionality would be a significant undertaking and would likely take more than a year.

Really?
Here I was thinking that something Apple seemingly already does with 'universal clipboard' could probably be coded in an afternoon and informing all the right people, pushing it out etc might take a month at most.

A whole year and a 'significant undertaking', can't quite make out that smell could be gas for lighting or could be bs.

 

[Alpine7995]

The title states "Microsoft wants Apple to bring seamless copy and paste between Windows PCs and iPhones" ('wants') and the X post says it is marked as a 'feature request' but the X post also says it is a 'confirmed iOS 28 feature'. Confusing.

Apple estimating "more than a year" of development for copy-paste, a feature that's existed on Android/Windows via clipboard sync tools for a decade, is a great little window into how "we don't want to" gets translated into engineering time estimates.

 

[Anton Longshot]

Oh noes!
Now I'll have to keep using Windows and sell the Mac and the MacBook I have on order that will arrive by the end of August!
Joking. <<
Besides, Apple machines work much better with my iPhone and iPads than my Windows boxes ever will so I'm OK.
Not that I even need to copy and paste content between my boxes and my iDevices, it's not how I 'work' - or easier said: I do not do any work on my phone and tablets.