Apple is developing a new feature that will let users copy content from an iPhone and paste it directly onto a Windows PC. The planned feature is designed to improve compatibility between Apple devices and Windows computers, making it easier to move text, images, and other supported content across different platforms.
The new functionality is being developed after Microsoft requested deeper integration between iPhones and Windows PCs. The request was submitted through Apple’s interoperability system created for the European Union. The company introduced this system to meet the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which encourages greater compatibility between competing platforms.
At present, Apple already offers a similar feature called Universal Clipboard. It allows users to copy text, images, and other content on an iPhone and paste it onto a Mac connected to the same Apple account. However, this feature does not currently support Windows computers.
Microsoft reportedly submitted its request in March. The company asked Apple to create a system that gives approved applications continuous access to an iPhone’s clipboard. This would allow copied content to move between an iPhone and a connected Windows PC without interruption.
Microsoft also requested that the feature work even when the supporting application is running in the background. This would remove the need for users to keep the app open while transferring clipboard data between devices.
Another part of Microsoft’s proposal focused on simplifying the user experience. The company requested that Apple reduce repeated permission prompts, allowing users to approve clipboard sharing only once instead of confirming access every time they copy and paste content.
In its official response dated June 26, Apple confirmed that it plans to introduce a new clipboard-sharing solution between iPhones and Windows PCs. The company said the feature will be developed using AccessorySetupKit, a framework that supports communication between iPhones and compatible third-party accessories.
AccessorySetupKit is already used for other interoperability features. For example, it allows supported third-party smartwatches to receive notifications from iPhones after users grant the necessary permissions.
Under the proposed system, users will approve clipboard sharing once for each paired Windows device or supported accessory. After the initial approval, they will be able to copy and paste content without repeatedly granting permission.
Apple described the project as a significant engineering effort, indicating that considerable development work is required before the feature is ready for release. The company expects to complete development by fall 2027.
Following development, Apple plans to begin beta testing before making the feature available to users. The first rollout is expected to take place in the European Union, where the interoperability requirements apply under the Digital Markets Act.
The company has not yet confirmed whether the clipboard-sharing feature will be introduced in countries outside the European Union. Its wider global availability remains uncertain.
If released as planned, the new feature could improve the experience for users who regularly switch between iPhones and Windows PCs. It would allow faster sharing of copied content without relying on third-party applications or manual transfer methods.
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The latest project reflects Apple’s continued efforts to expand device compatibility while complying with new regulatory requirements in the European Union. It also highlights the growing focus on improving cross-platform productivity for users who work across different operating systems.
