ClipNSync
Quick start
Choose the task that matches what you are doing now.
First device
Choose Start new, then use Local network (LAN) unless you specifically need cloud storage.
Another computer or phone
Choose Connect this computer. Keep one already connected device nearby to approve it.
Send one file
Open Send files, choose or drop a file, then pick one of your devices or a contact.
Something is not working
Open Settings, choose Troubleshoot, and follow the highlighted suggestion.
Set up the first device
Do this on one computer first. When it is finished, connect the rest of your devices to that setup.
Step 1: choose Start new
On the first screen, ClipNSync asks which situation matches you.
Choose Start new only when no working ClipNSync setup exists yet. If two new installations are open at the same time, both may say that another computer is waiting. Finish setup on one of them, leave the other screen open, then connect the second one.
You will see: "ClipNSync was found on this network." Choose Connect this computer only if the running copy is on one of your devices.
Step 2: choose how clips move
| Method | Choose it when | Storage | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local network (LAN) | Your devices normally share the same Wi-Fi or wired network. | ClipNSync chooses a private, operating-system-specific local folder. | Devices exchange new clips when they are on the same local network. |
| Cloud storage | Devices need to catch up while they are in different places. | You select a ClipNSync folder inside iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Nextcloud, a NAS, or another mounted shared location. | Every device must point to the same folder, and the cloud client must keep its files downloaded. |
| WebDAV | You manage Nextcloud or another WebDAV server and prefer a direct connection. | Server URL, username, and an app password or token. | This is an advanced option. Use the same WebDAV location for every device. |
Local network storage
ClipNSync displays the exact default folder for your operating system
before setup. On macOS it is normally
~/Library/Application Support/clipnsync/localsync.
Windows and Linux use their standard private application-data folders.
You can choose a different local folder, but the default is safest and
easiest to reset later.
Cloud or NAS storage
- Create or select a folder used only by ClipNSync.
- Keep that folder downloaded on this computer. Do not leave its files as online-only placeholders.
- When adding another device, select the same shared folder.
The folder contains encrypted ClipNSync data. Do not edit or rename its internal files. Never point ClipNSync at a general documents folder that also contains unrelated personal files.
Step 3: protect the setup
ClipNSync offers an optional recovery password. It can restore access if every connected device is lost or unavailable. Save it somewhere safe: ClipNSync cannot retrieve or reset it for you. You can skip this step and set one later under Settings > Security and recovery.
Choose Done. The first device is ready.
Connect another device
Keep ClipNSync open on both devices. The normal pairing method uses your local network and a short, one-time code.
- On the new device, choose Connect this computer.
It starts waiting for one of your already-connected devices.
- On a working device, choose Add a device on the Clipboard
tab, or Add another device in Settings.
Select the new computer or phone when it appears nearby.
- Read the code shown on the working device.
Type that code on the new device. The code lasts about three minutes and stops working after repeated wrong attempts.
- Wait for You are set.
The new device receives the same encryption key securely and becomes part of your ClipNSync setup.
That device already holds your trusted encryption key. Typing its code on the new device proves you are connecting to the setup you intended, not to an unknown ClipNSync on the same network.
If the new device does not appear
- Make sure both devices are awake and connected to the same local network.
- Leave the new device on the Connect this computer screen.
- Turn off a guest-network or client-isolation option that prevents devices from seeing each other.
- Allow ClipNSync through the operating system firewall when asked.
- Choose Try again to start a fresh pairing session.
QR and manual pairing
Open Other ways to add this device only when normal LAN pairing is unavailable. QR and manual device codes are designed for devices that already use the same cloud or NAS folder. On a phone or tablet that is already connected, choose Add a device and scan the QR code shown by the new device.
Without a camera, copy the long public device code to an already connected device, then enter the short confirmation code there. The public device code contains no clip content and no encryption key.
Pairing with an older ClipNSync version
Current versions accept the newer numeric code and older letter-and-number codes. If pairing is unclear or repeatedly rejected, update both devices first and start again with a new code.
Everyday features
The main tabs each solve a different job.
Clipboard
Find and reuse things you copied. New clipboard items can sync automatically.
Send files
Send selected files to one of your devices or to a contact.
Folder sync
Optional scheduled tasks that copy or reconcile whole folders.
Usage
See transfer totals and relay usage without exposing clip contents.
Clipboard
- Search history filters the clips stored on this device.
- Select a clip to copy it back to your clipboard.
- Pin keeps an important clip past normal retention limits. If enabled in Settings, pin status is also shared with your devices.
- Delete removes that clip and sends a deletion marker to your other devices.
- Delete all clips asks for confirmation before clearing history.
Password managers can mark clipboard content as sensitive. The safest default is Don't save them under Settings > History and privacy.
Send files
Use this for a deliberate, one-time transfer. It is different from copying a file to the clipboard and different from Folder sync.
- Drop files into the large area or choose files from your computer.
- Select one of your own devices. If an internet account is linked, you can also select or enter a contact.
- Keep ClipNSync open while the transfer completes.
- On the receiving device, accept the file unless automatic saving is enabled for that sender.
Files sent between your own devices on the same network try the fast local connection. Contact transfers may use a direct connection or an encrypted relay, depending on your privacy setting and network.
A direct connection is faster, but the recipient can see your IP address. Choose the relay privacy option in Settings > File transfers when you prefer to hide it.
Folder sync
Folder sync is an optional advanced feature for backups, USB drives, and keeping two folders aligned. It is separate from normal clipboard syncing and starts no task by itself.
To show the tab, open Settings > Advanced and turn on Show the Folder sync tab. That checkmark only changes whether the tab is visible. A folder task runs only after you create and save one.
| Folder task mode | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Copy new and changed files | Copies additions and updates from source to destination. | A simple incremental backup. |
| Make destination match source | Makes the destination mirror the source. | A managed replica. |
| Move files to destination | Moves stable files out of the source folder. | An intake or archive workflow. |
| Keep both folders synchronized | Applies changes in both directions using your conflict choice. | Two working folders that both change. |
Choose a source, destination, schedule, and conflict rule. The default
conflict choice keeps both versions. Removed files are placed in a
.sync_archive recovery folder instead of being permanently
erased. Review Recent runs after the first task.
Usage
Usage shows how much data ClipNSync sent and received, grouped by Clipboard, Send files, Folder sync, device, and connection type. Choose This device or All my devices, then Today or 30 days. A relay quota appears when the optional internet service is used. Usage records contain totals, not clip contents.
Settings guide
Settings starts with a status card. Categories remain collapsed until you open the one you need.
General
Device name, start at sign-in, clip-picker shortcut, and automatic updates.
Devices
Add or remove devices, sync now, and view recent device activity.
Sync and storage
View or change LAN, shared-folder, or WebDAV syncing and clipboard options.
History and privacy
Retention, size limits, images and files, sensitive clips, and ignore patterns.
File transfers
Accept prompts, notifications, download location, contacts, and direct-connection privacy.
Security and recovery
Set or replace the optional recovery password.
Internet account (optional)
Link an account only for contact-based file transfers and internet services.
Help and troubleshooting
Run private health checks and create an anonymous support report.
Advanced
Show Folder sync, make a manual network connection, or view local technical details.
Pause syncing
Pause syncing stops new clipboard items from leaving this device until you resume. It does not erase clips or disconnect devices.
Change sync method
Open Sync and storage. ClipNSync shows the current method before it offers Change sync method. Selecting a menu item does not change anything until you choose Use this method.
Technical diagnostics
The Advanced technical view stays on your computer and may show storage paths, account email, device identifiers, and device names. Do not send a screenshot of that view. Use the anonymous support report under Help and troubleshooting instead.
Updates
Signed updates can be checked and installed automatically.
- Open Settings > General > Updates.
- Keep Check for updates automatically on.
- Keep Install updates automatically on for the easiest experience.
- Choose Check now when you need an update immediately.
An automatic check runs at startup and then on the selected schedule. When a signed update is installed, ClipNSync restarts itself. The app does not reset your setup during a normal update.
Reset this device
Use reset when you want this computer to return to the first setup screen. It is not a reset of every device.
Open Settings, scroll to the red Reset this device section, and choose Reset this device.... ClipNSync shows a native confirmation before doing anything.
| Reset removes | Reset does not remove |
|---|---|
| ClipNSync settings, local history databases, local keys, local transfer state, and clips in ClipNSync's private managed LAN folder on this computer. | Any cloud folder, NAS folder, WebDAV storage, unrelated file, another device's local history, or another device's private ClipNSync storage. |
If this computer is connected to other ClipNSync devices, the confirmation says it will be disconnected. If no mesh membership is detected, that sentence is not shown. After reset, ClipNSync returns to the first setup screen.
If ClipNSync points to Nextcloud, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, a NAS, another mounted drive, or WebDAV, reset does not delete that shared location. Other devices may still be using it.
Troubleshooting
Start with the built-in health check. It tests the app without reading your clips.
- Open Settings and choose Troubleshoot.
ClipNSync checks its background service, clipboard access, secure key storage, sync storage, LAN service, nearby devices, and updates.
- Follow the highlighted suggestion.
Common actions include resuming sync, unlocking the OS keychain, restarting ClipNSync, bringing another device online, or checking a cloud folder.
- Choose Try syncing now and Check again.
This retries the connection without deleting or changing your setup.
- If it still fails, choose Email support.
Your email app opens with a small anonymous report. Review the message, add what you were doing, and send it.
Common problems
No other device is online
This is normal when the other device is asleep, ClipNSync is closed, or the devices are on different networks. Open ClipNSync on the other device and connect both to the same network. For LAN-only setups, clips catch up when the devices can see each other again.
A cloud file is visible but ClipNSync cannot read it
Cloud clients can show an online-only placeholder before downloading its contents. Make the dedicated ClipNSync folder available offline or choose "Always keep on this device," then make sure the cloud client is running and signed in.
The new device is not found during pairing
Keep the new device on its pairing screen, use the same local network, and check guest-network isolation and firewall prompts. If the devices intentionally use the same cloud or NAS folder, open Other ways to add this device.
Syncing is paused
Choose Resume syncing in the Settings status card. Pausing is remembered across restarts, so simply reopening the app does not resume it.
The app version did not change immediately
Choose Settings > General > Updates > Check now. A continuously running app follows its configured schedule, so a release published just after the previous check can appear later.
What the anonymous support report includes
The allowlisted report includes the ClipNSync version, operating-system type, broad app state, whether clipboard and secure storage are available, the selected sync-method type, broad storage and connection health, broad last-sync age, automatic-update state, and a broad error category.
It excludes clip contents, filenames, paths, URLs, names, email addresses, IP addresses, device identifiers, keys, tokens, raw logs, and exact timestamps. ClipNSync does not attach screenshots. If you add one yourself, review it for private information first.
Privacy and security
- Clip content is encrypted on your device before it reaches a folder or network.
- Encryption keys are kept in operating-system secure storage, not in the config file.
- LAN peers receive the same encrypted clip bytes used by the storage backend.
- A clipnsync.com account is optional and is not required for local clipboard syncing.
- Sensitive-clip handling and ignore patterns can prevent selected text from being saved or sent.
- The anonymous support report is generated from a fixed allowlist, not from raw logs.
For platform-specific limitations, see the platform support matrix.
Common questions
Do I need a ClipNSync account?
No. Clipboard syncing, pairing your own devices, LAN transfers, shared-folder storage, WebDAV, and Folder sync work without an account. Link one only for contact-based file transfers and related internet services.
Does ClipNSync upload my clipboard to clipnsync.com?
No. Clipboard clips use your LAN, your own shared folder, or your WebDAV location. ClipNSync servers do not store readable clipboard history.
Can I change from LAN to cloud storage later?
Yes. Open Settings > Sync and storage, choose Change sync method, select the new method, fill in its storage details, and choose Use this method.
Does showing the Folder sync tab start a backup?
No. The checkbox only reveals the advanced tab. You must create and save a folder task before any folder copying can run.
What happens after Reset this device?
ClipNSync removes its local setup from this computer and returns to the first setup screen. It preserves shared cloud, NAS, mounted, and WebDAV storage so another device is not damaged.