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How to Cut, Copy and Paste on Android

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Some tasks simply come as second nature for many who’ve been using smartphones for the past couple of years, and we almost take them for granted. One in particular is the power behind being able to cut, copy and paste on our Android smartphones and tablets.

I’ve been using copy and paste on computers and smartphones for as long as I can remember, but there’s still plenty of users that don’t know about this simple, effective and powerful yet somewhat hidden feature. After being asked by a family member how to copy and paste on Android, I figured it was worth sharing for others looking for the same tips. It’s extremely easy yet differs slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but for the most part remains the same. So read on to learn how to save time and increase productivity on Android.

Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 11.04.10 AM

Cut, copy and paste on Android phones and tablets works nearly the exact same way you’ve been doing it for years on a PC or Mac, only you won’t have the tap command C or command V to copy and paste. With just a few taps you can highlight and remove words, copy them from a text to an email, and much more.

Each manufacturer customization (Samsung, HTC and others) make this slightly different, which adds to the confusion, but it’s all quite easy once you lean how or figure it out.

Instructions

As mentioned above the general look and implementation can differ, but overall you’ll simply need to find the string or block of text you’d like to cut, copy or paste and long press it. You’ll quickly notice a menu bar appear on the top of the screen, and here’s where most vary based on manufacturer. Stock Android has icons, which can be confusing as they aren’t labeled, but are select all, cut, copy, and paste. (Tip: Long press each icon for a reminder of what it does)

Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 10.36.12 AM

Once you give the text a long press you’ll be presented with the drop down menu you see above with options for all the cut and copy choices, and in the text box (email, browser, etc) you’ll see the highlighted text, and this is where you can drag and cut or copy as little, or as much as you’d like. Drag the little tabs to the desired length, then proceed to the menu on the top.

If you’re in the browser you can share the text with the usual Android share button, or even do a quick Google Search with the search magnifying glass as shown in our first screenshot at the top of the page. For nearly every other app and area you’ll get the options shown below, which again are select all, cut, copy, and paste.

Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 10.40.35 AM

Simply drag the tabs through the desired text you’d like to copy, and you’re done. From here you can instantly copy it, then paste later with the same long press. In an empty text field long press, and you’ll see a pop-up for “paste” simply tap paste and it will add anything you’ve previously copied. I use this daily, without a second thought, and soon you will too.

Of course you can select all, cut to remove sentences, and much much more with this simple yet somewhat hidden tool. Dragging the tabs can be a bit finicky at times, and sensitive, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

While many power users employ the cut, copy and paste feature on a daily basis, there’s many new users appearing daily on the Android platform, so this should be quite useful.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Robert

    07/06/2014 at 3:40 pm

    Thanks. Very helpful.

  2. CmdrBiggles

    10/31/2014 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks for this! I’ve used it on my Android phone with a bit of clumsiness, but have found it much easier to use with a Galaxy Tab S. Just before I bought the tablet I woke in fright in the night with the revelation there was no mouse or menu for cut and paste!! After chancing upon this snippet of information, I slept happily ever after. :-)

  3. Donney Bibb

    12/09/2014 at 6:40 am

    Sounds good, but I haven’t seen any info on copying a URL. It’s very frustrating to not be able link a website to an email.

    • Cory Gunther

      12/09/2014 at 9:43 am

      Works the same. Long press the URL in your browser, copy text, and paste to email or text message.

      • Donney Bibb

        12/09/2014 at 10:06 am

        Thanks,

        When I pressed the URL it was highlighted but didn’t see a way to copy. Long press worked.

        Gracias

  4. Abu Sulaiman

    04/26/2015 at 7:27 am

    Thanks a lot. The writeup helped me a lot….

  5. Ken Casey

    06/23/2015 at 8:50 am

    Very helpful and clearly presented. I am surprised…and annoyed…that the user’s manual for these devices does not include these instructions.

  6. Joanie

    08/08/2015 at 11:41 am

    Many thanks for these tips!

  7. Brenda

    08/09/2015 at 1:49 pm

    Thanks so much for all of that information

  8. Poka Messiah

    08/17/2015 at 4:20 pm

    That’s good of you for sharing this wonderful pieces of information with us. It is an eye opener for me.
    I will like you to share with me also how to play music at the background of my tablet while browsing the internet or reading a document .
    Thanks in advance .

  9. John Maxcoin

    09/17/2015 at 1:28 am

    Thanx, I thought my Samsung mobile didn’t do any of that things.I can save pics with the same method too. Was clumsy not to include this options in the manual as already mentioned by others.

  10. Teri

    10/02/2015 at 6:22 am

    Thank you!!!!

  11. Tami Jay

    10/04/2015 at 4:21 pm

    Thanks for your time. Much appreciated!

  12. Sharon

    09/11/2016 at 1:34 pm

    Thank you! I wasn’t sure which icon was which, and was afraid if I pressed the wrong one I might lose the whole long email I had just typed! I know I’m about 2 years late, lol, but thanks again!

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  14. Shane Daylen

    05/20/2017 at 11:46 am

    Beautifully clear thank you very much

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