CopyClip is a lightweight clipboard manager that stores copy history and provides menu bar access to previously copied text. The app runs continuously in the background, capturing all copied or cut content for later retrieval without requiring manual saving or organization.
The menu bar interface displays 20 of the most recent clipboard items by default, with access to up to 80 items through scrolling. Users access their clipboard history by clicking the menu bar icon or using a customizable keyboard shortcut. Double-clicking a clip copies it back to the system clipboard, while Command+Number shortcuts (⌘1-9) provide direct paste functionality for the first nine items.
The app includes basic search functionality for locating specific text within clipboard history. Users can type keywords to filter the list of stored items, enabling quick retrieval of content copied hours or days earlier.
Privacy controls allow exclusion of specific applications from clipboard monitoring, preventing capture of sensitive data from password managers or banking apps. This selective monitoring addresses security concerns while maintaining clipboard functionality for general use.
CopyClip stores text and rich text formats. The app does not support image previews, file paths, or media content—focusing exclusively on text-based clipboard management.
Technical specifications: minimal resource usage with negligible performance impact. Requires macOS 10.11 or newer. Requires Accessibility permissions for clipboard monitoring. Available as a free download from the Mac App Store or FIPLAB’s website.
Developer FIPLAB Ltd also offers CopyClip 2, a paid version with extended history (up to 9,999 items), enhanced search capabilities, and pinning functionality for frequently used snippets.
Limitations include the text-only format support and absence of cloud synchronization across devices. Users needing cross-device clipboard sync or rich media support require alternative solutions. The 80-item history limit may prove insufficient for power users who rely on extensive clipboard archives.
Alternatives include Maccy (open-source, keyboard-first), PastePal (iCloud sync across Apple devices), and Paste (subscription-based with visual timeline).
Suitable for users seeking basic clipboard history functionality without subscription costs, or those who primarily work with text content and need quick access to recent copies.
