You copy a link on your iPhone and want to open it on your PC. You write something on Windows and want it in a message on your phone. Most people end up emailing or messaging themselves every time.
This page explains what the built-in tools can and can't do, and then shows a direct way to copy and paste between iPhone and Windows.
Built-in tools don't cover iPhone and Windows
- Apple's Universal Clipboard works between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) signed in to the same Apple Account. It does not reach Windows.
- Microsoft's Phone Link supports iPhone, but Microsoft Support lists only certain Android devices for its cross-device copy and paste feature (as of September 2026).
So the usual workarounds are:
- emailing or messaging yourself
- pasting into a cloud note or drive and opening it on the other device
They work, but they take several steps every time, and what you copied stays on someone else's server.
Using AirBoard
AirBoard sends copied text, photos and files directly between devices on the same Wi‑Fi (LAN). Nothing goes through an internet server, and there is no account to create.
Setup (once)
- Install AirBoard on Windows from the Microsoft Store and open it.
- Install AirBoard on your iPhone from the App Store and open it.
- Put both on the same Wi‑Fi.
- On the iPhone, tap Find on Wi‑Fi or scan the QR code, and pick your PC.
- Approve the new device on Windows the first time. After that it connects by itself.
Copy on Windows → paste on iPhone
Just copy as usual on Windows (Ctrl+C). The text arrives on your iPhone. If AirBoard is open on the iPhone, it goes straight into the iPhone clipboard, ready to paste in any app.
Copy on iPhone → paste on Windows
Copy on your iPhone, then open AirBoard. Your latest copy is sent to Windows and placed on the Windows clipboard. Press Ctrl+V.
You can also send it with the Current clipboard or Paste buttons on AirBoard's Share tab.
Photos and files too
- iPhone → Windows: choose Photos or Files on the Share tab. On Windows they are saved in an AirBoard folder inside Documents (you can change the folder in Settings).
- Windows → iPhone: drop files onto the AirBoard window. On the iPhone they appear in the Files app under On My iPhone › AirBoard.
Things to know on iPhone
AirBoard works while it is open. Because of how iOS works, AirBoard does not send or receive while it is in the background. Open it when you want to use it. If you copied several times while it was in the background, only the latest copy is sent when you open it.
- The “Allow Paste?” prompt: iPhone may ask before AirBoard reads something you copied in another app. To stop the prompt, go to Settings › AirBoard › Paste from Other Apps and choose Allow. Sending with the Paste button on the Share tab never shows the prompt.
- Office or school Wi‑Fi: some networks block devices from talking to each other. If AirBoard can't connect, connect through Windows Mobile hotspot or iPhone Personal Hotspot.
FAQ
Is it free?
Yes, every feature is free. The iPhone app shows ads, which you can remove with a one-time Remove Ads purchase. The Windows app has no ads.
Does it work with Android, iPad or Mac?
Android and iPad work too, and you can connect three or more devices at once. A Mac version is coming to the Mac App Store.
Can I send to a PC somewhere else?
No. AirBoard works only within the same Wi‑Fi / LAN. In return, nothing you copy is left on an outside server.
More guides
- Send iPhone photos to a PC without a cable
- Share the clipboard between Android and Windows
- Move notes without messaging yourself
- Office Wi‑Fi blocking devices? Use a hotspot
Download
Install it on both your Windows PC and your iPhone.