How to View Clipboard History on Mac
macOS does not include a built-in clipboard history viewer. The only native option is the most recent copy. To view a full history of everything you have copied, you need a third-party clipboard manager like TextStow.
macOS does not provide a searchable clipboard history by default. TextStow records copied text, images, and files locally so you can find them later.
Step by Step
Download and install TextStow
Get TextStow from the download page, open it from your Applications folder, and grant standard macOS accessibility permission.
Start copying normally
TextStow begins recording every copy event automatically — text, images, and files — as soon as it is running.
Open clipboard history from the menu bar
Click the TextStow icon in your menu bar to see a full list of everything you have copied.
Search by content, filter by type or date
Type a keyword to find specific clips. Filter by content type (text, image, file) or date range to narrow results.
Bookmark reusable items permanently
Save important clips as bookmarks so they remain accessible even after clearing your clipboard history.
macOS Does Not Have Clipboard History
Unlike some other platforms, macOS does not keep a record of previously copied items. Each new copy overwrites the previous one. The Finder clipboard preview only shows the current content. There is no hidden history folder or log file to check.
Why You Need a Third-Party Tool
To actually see and reuse old copies, you need software that intercepts and records each copy event. A clipboard manager like TextStow runs in the background, capturing text, images, and files as you copy them.
How TextStow Solves This
After installing TextStow, it starts recording automatically. Open the menu bar app at any time to see a full list of everything you have copied. Search by content, filter by type or date, and click to paste any item back into your clipboard.
Quick Start
Download TextStow, open it from your Applications folder, and it immediately starts recording. Open it from the menu bar to view your history, search for old copies, or bookmark important content for permanent access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is clipboard history on Mac?▾
macOS does not store clipboard history. Only the most recently copied item is available. You need a clipboard manager like TextStow to record and view history.
How can I see what I copied earlier on Mac?▾
Without a clipboard manager, earlier copies are not recoverable. TextStow records each copy event so you can view and search your full history.
Is there a free way to view clipboard history?▾
TextStow is free to download and provides full clipboard history with search and filtering.
Can I recover old clipboard content without third-party tools?▾
No. macOS does not retain clipboard history. A third-party clipboard manager must be running to capture copies as they happen.
Free Download TextStow
macOS does not include a built-in clipboard history viewer. The only native option is the most recent copy. To view a full history of everything you have copied, you need a third-party clipboard manager like TextStow.
Free Download