Exploring Windows 11’s Hidden Native Clipboard Sync for Android and Gboard Integration

Recent developments in Windows 11 have sparked interest with the introduction of practical features aimed at enhancing user experience, particularly for mobile devices. One noteworthy addition is the clipboard sync functionality, which allows users to share clipboard content between Windows 11 and Android devices seamlessly. This feature is available only when both devices are signed in to the same Microsoft account.

Initially, the option “Access PC’s clipboard”was spotted in a preview build last month; however, it disappeared shortly thereafter, indicating that Microsoft was still in the testing phase. Fortunately, it has re-surfaced in one of the newer Dev builds, sparking excitement among users eager to see it in action.

For those looking to utilize this feature, it’s relatively simple. First, ensure that your mobile devices are properly configured, and that the Link to Windows app is installed on your Android phone. Users simply need to choose a recent preview build to access this new functionality on their PCs.

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I enabled the “Access PC’s clipboard”feature within the mobile devices section and activated the Clipboard history setting to ensure that copied text syncs effectively. The good news is that no additional setup was needed on the phone.

After that, I tested the functionality by copying text from a webpage. To my satisfaction, the copied text instantly appeared in my Gboard keyboard on the Android device. Repeated testing confirmed the feature’s efficiency, with synchronization occurring without delay. Notably, this clipboard sync feature is not restricted to a specific keyboard; it also functions seamlessly with the Samsung keyboard.

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This feature opens up a range of use cases—for instance, users can now quickly access complex passwords, verification codes, or lengthy texts without needing to email themselves. If you wish to send information from your PC to a contact via a phone application, the synchronization is immediate.

However, it’s worth noting that Microsoft previously offered a similar capability through its SwiftKey app, which I was eager to explore as well.

Challenges with SwiftKey

Upon disabling the clipboard sync option in the mobile devices section, I transitioned to the SwiftKey app. Being a Microsoft product, it doesn’t require a companion app on the PC. With clipboard history and sync activated on both devices, it should theoretically work seamlessly.

Unfortunately, my experience with SwiftKey did not meet expectations, as the syncing functionality failed to work entirely. I attempted several troubleshooting steps, including manual sync attempts through the SwiftKey settings, yet nothing resolved the sync issues. I also discovered several user complaints in forums detailing similar problems, some dating back several months.

Considering that Gboard is the default keyboard for Android and now effectively supports clipboard history synchronization, I am inclined to forgo SwiftKey for the time being. Since typical troubleshooting measures did not rectify the sync issue for me, I would prefer to use the native clipboard sync feature once it becomes available in the stable update.

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