How to move saved clips and snippets to a new phone

Short answer: the system clipboard is never transferred, and many clipboard apps' data isn't either. Export your clips to a backup file on the old phone, move that file, and import it in the same app on the new phone.

What a phone transfer does and doesn't copy

Phone-to-phone transfer tools move photos, contacts and installed apps, but app data is often skipped or restored empty. The Android clipboard itself holds only the last item and is wiped on restart. If your saved addresses, codes and quotes matter, don't count on the transfer.

Step by step

  1. Old phone: open your clipboard app's backup or export option and save the file (for example to Downloads).
  2. Move the file: upload it to a cloud drive, send it to yourself in a messenger, or copy it over a USB cable.
  3. New phone: install the same app, choose Import, and pick the file.
  4. Check a few clips and groups before you reset the old phone.

When import fails

Keep the backup small and useful

Before exporting, delete throwaway clips and keep the ones you pinned, starred or grouped. A tidy jar moves faster and is easier to search on the new phone.

Doing it with Clipjar

In Clipjar's settings, Export writes every clip and group to a single file using Android's file picker, with no extra permissions. On the new phone, Import reads the same file and your group chips come back as they were.

Get Clipjar on Google Play

← See Clipjar