ClipPair

ClipPair user guide

Copy on one computer. Paste on the other. That's ClipPair.

ClipPair keeps the clipboard the same on your own Windows PCs and Macs. It works over your home or office network. Your copies go straight from one computer to the other, encrypted end to end. There is no cloud and no account.

On Windows, ClipPair lives in the tray, next to the clock. On a Mac, it lives in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click the icon to open its menu.

Where a label on a Mac is different, this guide shows it as (Mac: …).

What ClipPair syncs

What it doesn't sync:

ClipPair works on Windows and macOS. Phones, tablets and Linux aren't supported yet. On the way, no dates yet: Linux, iPhone, Android.

Install ClipPair

On Windows

  1. Run the ClipPair installer.
  2. Open ClipPair from the Start menu.

You don't need administrator rights.

On a Mac

  1. Open the ClipPair disk image.
  2. Drag ClipPair into the Applications folder.
  3. Eject the disk image.
  4. Open ClipPair from Applications.
  5. When macOS asks if ClipPair may find devices on your local network, choose Allow.

If you didn't allow it, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and turn ClipPair on. Without it, your Mac can't find your other computers.

Set up your first two computers

The first time ClipPair opens, it shows a short setup window. Start on the computer that will hold your license.

On the licensed computer

  1. Paste the license key from your receipt and choose Activate. This needs the internet once.
  2. Choose Next (Mac: Continue).
  3. Check the computer's name. Your other computers will show this name. Choose Next (Mac: Continue).
  4. You'll see six pairing words. Choose Pair on this computer first.
  5. Choose Finish (Mac: Done).

On the other computer

  1. In the setup window, choose I have words from another computer (Mac: I Have Words from Another Computer).
  2. Type the six words from the licensed computer.
  3. Choose Pair, then Finish (Mac: Done).

That's it. Copy something on one computer and paste it on the other.

Tips:

Add another computer

You can add as many computers as you like. Adding one doesn't disconnect the others.

On a licensed computer

  1. Open the menu and choose Pair another device… (Mac: Pair a New Device…).
  2. The window says Type these words on your other computer. It shows six words and a QR code. They're the same words every time.
  3. Leave it open. It says Waiting for your other computer….

On the new computer

  1. If ClipPair is newly installed, use the setup window as described above. Otherwise, open the menu and choose Pair another device… (Mac: Pair a New Device…).
  2. If you see Or type words from your other computer, choose it.
  3. Type the six words and choose Connect.
  4. It says Searching for your other computer….

When the two computers find each other, both windows close and say Paired! Enjoy ClipPair :).

If nothing connects within 30 seconds, you'll see: "Couldn't find your other computer yet. Make sure ClipPair is open on it and both are on the same network. It will keep looking." Check those two things and wait. If it still doesn't connect, see the Troubleshooting guide.

Only a licensed computer can show pairing words. Copy words (Mac: Copy Words) copies them for you.

The menu

The items you'll use most:

Devices, nicknames and groups

Choose Open ClipPair, or Devices… in the Devices menu. The window lists every computer you've paired, and whether it's connected now.

Share my clipboard with (Mac: Share My Clipboard With:) picks who gets your copies: Everyone, or Chosen groups (Mac: Chosen Groups). Two computers swap copies only when both allow it. If a copy doesn't arrive, check this setting on both computers.

Groups decide which of your own computers share copies. They are not a security barrier. Every paired computer is trusted.

Clipboard history

History is off until you turn it on.

To turn it on, open the Devices window and tick Keep clipboard history (text only, stored encrypted on this computer). On a Mac it reads Keep Clipboard History (text only, stored encrypted on this Mac). You can also choose Turn on history… (Mac: Turn On History…) in the History menu.

Start at login

ClipPair starts by itself when you log in. This is on for every new install.

To change it, open Settings in the menu and choose Start at login (Mac: Open at Login).

Updates

Every update is signed and checked before it installs.

Your license

ClipPair costs $9.99, or $7.99 for the first 72 hours after launch, paid once. There's no subscription.

To license a computer: open Settings > License…, paste your key, and choose Activate. This needs the internet once.

Renewal: a licensed computer renews its license by itself, about once a week. It keeps working for up to 3 weeks without renewing. After that, syncing pauses until it can renew. Joined computers renew through their licensed computer, with the same 3-week limit.

To free a slot: open License… and choose Remove license from this computer… (Mac: Remove License From This Mac…). Do this before you uninstall or give the computer away. Uninstalling doesn't free the slot by itself.

If a licensed computer is lost or broken, email support@clippair.app and we'll free its slot.

Network and firewall

Privacy and security

Your copies go straight between your own computers, encrypted. They are never uploaded. They are saved to disk only if you turn on history. Your pairing words are kept in Windows Credential Manager or the macOS Keychain.

ClipPair goes online only to check for updates and to activate and renew your license. It never sends your clipboard.

For details, see Security and the Privacy policy.

Uninstall

  1. If this computer is licensed, free its slot first (see above).
  2. Quit ClipPair from its menu.
  3. On Windows, remove ClipPair from Installed apps in Windows Settings. This also removes its settings and pairing. On a Mac, drag ClipPair from Applications to the Trash.

Advanced

For power users, from a terminal. On a Mac, the program is /Applications/ClipPair.app/Contents/MacOS/clippair.