Troubleshooting · 2026
KDE Connect Clipboard Not Working? 7 Fixes
Most “KDE Connect clipboard is broken” reports are KDE Connect working as designed around phone rules, and the rest are usually a firewall. These checks separate the two, starting with the cause that catches nearly everyone on a modern Android phone.
Applies to Android, iPhone, Linux, Windows, and macOS
Work through these checks
- 01
Android 10+: tap “Send clipboard”
Android 10 and later stop apps reading the clipboard in the background, so copying on the phone sends nothing by itself. Tap “Send clipboard” in KDE Connect’s persistent notification.
- 02
Android 14+: add the tile
Add the “Send clipboard” tile to Quick Settings so it is one swipe and one tap away.
- 03
iPhone: it only goes one way
On iOS, tap “push clipboard” in the KDE Connect app to send to the computer. The computer cannot push its clipboard to the iPhone.
- 04
Clipboard plugin on, on both sides
In the device’s plugin settings, make sure the Clipboard plugin is enabled on the phone and on the computer.
- 05
Same network
Both devices need to reach each other on the same network (or over Bluetooth in recent versions). Guest Wi-Fi and some office networks isolate devices.
- 06
Open ports 1714–1764
KDE Connect uses ports 1714–1764 over TCP and UDP. With ufw:
sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/udp sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/tcp sudo ufw reload - 07
On a VPN, add the device by IP
Discovery broadcasts do not cross most VPNs. Add the other device by its IP address in KDE Connect instead of waiting for it to appear.
Still stuck? It may be a limit, not a fault
- Android always needs a tap; the shared clipboard skips images.
- The iPhone clipboard only goes from phone to computer.
- Both devices need a local connection, so it does not work away from home.
If you need more than the built-in tool
Fixing the built-in option is the right first move. If its limits are the problem, these work alongside it.
Pasteable
We make this oneAway from home, images, and a history
- Price
- Free · Pro $6/mo or $60/yr · $80 founder lifetime
- Runs on
- Mac · Windows · Linux · Android · Web (iPhone app in App Store review)
Install Pasteable on your phone and sign in with the same account. What you capture there syncs to your Mac, Windows, or Linux history, end-to-end encrypted.
The catch: Free syncs your 25 most recent clips; Pro syncs up to 10,000. On Android you save a clip from the Pasteable keyboard, widget, or share sheet, because Android does not let apps read the clipboard in the background. No notification mirroring or texting.
GSConnect
GNOME desktops
- Price
- Free (open source)
- Runs on
- Linux (GNOME Shell) + the KDE Connect phone app
A GNOME Shell extension that implements the KDE Connect protocol, so the KDE Connect app on your phone pairs with it for clipboard sharing, file sending, and notifications.
The catch: The same rules as KDE Connect: both devices on the same network, and a tap to send the clipboard on Android 10 and later.
FAQ
Common questions
Why did KDE Connect clipboard stop working after an Android update?+
Android 10 removed background clipboard access for apps. KDE Connect still works; you send the clipboard with the notification button or the Quick Settings tile.
Can KDE Connect share images on the clipboard?+
No, the Clipboard plugin shares text. Send images and files with the Share feature instead.
How do I check whether the ports are open?+
KDE’s guide suggests running netcat -z -v <your phone’s IP> 1714-1764 from the computer. At least one “succeeded” means the ports are reachable; many “Connection refused” lines are normal.
Does this apply to GSConnect on GNOME?+
Mostly. GSConnect implements the same protocol, so the Android 10 tap rule and the same-network requirement apply, and the firewall needs the KDE Connect port range open. GSConnect’s own wiki covers its setup.
What works when I am not on the same network?+
Pasteable syncs over the internet, end-to-end encrypted, including images and files. Pasteable is free to start with 25 end-to-end encrypted synced clips and files up to 1 GB; Pro syncs up to 10,000 clips and files up to 5 GB for $6/month, $60/year, or a one-time Lifetime licence ($80 founder price for the first 100 buyers, then $100).
Keep reading
Related guides and comparisons
A clipboard that works on every device
Free on Mac, Windows, and Linux, with 25 end-to-end encrypted synced clips. The Android app is included; an iPhone joins through the web app today.
v3.2.25
Pasteable for Android is on Google Play. The iPhone app is in App Store review right now. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the moment it’s live, or use the web app on your iPhone today.
On your phone? Open the web app