How to Cut, Copy and Paste on Android

Some tasks have become second nature to many who have been using smartphones over the past few years, and we almost take them lightly. One in particular is the power behind cut, copy and paste on our Android smartphones and tablets.

I have been using the copy and paste feature on computers and smartphones for as long as I can remember, but there are many users who do not know this simple, effective and powerful but somewhat hidden feature. After being asked by a family member how to copy and paste on Android, I thought it was worth sharing for others looking for the same tips. It is extremely easy, although it differs slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most of the time it remains the same. So, read on to learn how to save time and increase productivity on Android.

Cut, copy, and paste on Android phones and tablets works almost the same as what you’ve done for years on a PC or Mac, you just won’t have the C touch command or the V command 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.

Every manufacturer customization (Samsung, HTC, and others) makes it a little different, which causes confusion, but it’s all pretty easy once you figure it out or how.

Instructions

As mentioned above, the overall look and execution may differ, but in general you just need to find the text string or block you want to cut, copy or paste and long press it. You will immediately notice a menu bar appear at the top of the screen, and here it varies by most manufacturers. On stock Android, which can be confusing as they’re not labeled, but select all, cut, copy and paste. (Hint: Long press each icon to remind you what it’s doing)

Long press on the text and you will be presented with a drop-down menu with options for all the cut and copy options you see above, and you will see the text highlighted in the text box (email, browser, etc.). , and this is where you can drag and cut or copy as little or as much as you want. Drag the small tabs to the length you want, then scroll down to the menu at the top.

If you’re in the browser, you can share the text with the regular Android share button or even do a quick Google Search with the search magnifier as shown in the first screenshot at the top of the page. You get the options shown below for almost every other app and area. select all, cut, copy and paste.

Drag the tabs across the text you want to copy and you’re done. From here you can instantly copy, then paste with the same long press. Long press on a blank text field and you will see a popup to “paste”, just tap paste and it will add everything you copied before. I use it every day, without thinking, and soon you will too.

Of course you can select them all, cut to cut sentences, and much more with this simple but somewhat hidden tool. Dragging tabs can be a little fiddly and delicate at times, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

While many power users use the cut, copy and paste feature on a daily basis, there are many new users appearing on the Android platform every day so this should be quite useful.