The latest articles on DEV Community by clipboardim (@clipboardim). https://dev.to/clipboardim https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4166860%2Fa6b55630-dfa7-49f9-aa3a-63b8b0aca372.png https://dev.to/clipboardim en clipboardim Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:39:34 +0000 https://dev.to/clipboardim/i-built-a-browser-clipboard-for-quick-transfers-between-unfamiliar-devices-28ic https://dev.to/clipboardim/i-built-a-browser-clipboard-for-quick-transfers-between-unfamiliar-devices-28ic <p>I'm the developer of <a href="https://clipboard.im/en" rel="noopener noreferrer">clipboard.im</a>, a browser-based clipboard for moving text and files between devices without installing an app, registering, or signing in.</p> <p>The use case is fairly ordinary: you have something on one device, and you need it on another device that isn't set up with your accounts.</p> <p>Maybe you're at a public computer. Maybe you're using a borrowed laptop. Or your phone and computer run different operating systems, and you just want to move one piece of text without setting up another workflow.</p> <p>For that kind of handoff, the destination device only needs a browser.</p> <h2> What the workflow looks like </h2> <ol> <li>Open clipboard.im on the first device.</li> <li>Add the text you want to transfer, or upload a file.</li> <li>Open the same clipboard address on the other device, by typing the address or scanning its QR code.</li> <li>Read the text or download the file.</li> </ol> <p>The site assigns a random clipboard address when you start. You can also choose a custom address using at least five letters or numbers, which makes it easier to type on a device where scanning a QR code isn't convenient. Password protection is available too.</p> <h2> A few situations where it could help </h2> <ul> <li> <strong>A URL on your phone, a browser on a borrowed computer.</strong> Put the link in a clipboard and open that address on the computer.</li> <li> <strong>A file for a temporary workstation.</strong> Upload it from your own device, then retrieve it in the destination browser.</li> <li> <strong>A text snippet across operating systems.</strong> A code example, a block of notes, or a short instruction that would be tedious to reproduce by hand.</li> </ul> <p>These are small tasks, but the setup can easily take longer than the transfer.</p> <h2> Current limits </h2> <p>Uploads support all file types, with a maximum of <strong>100MB per file</strong> and <strong>300MB in total</strong>. Uploaded files are automatically cleaned up after <strong>seven days</strong>.</p> <p>This is for temporary transfers. Keep your own copies of important files, and don't use it as long-term storage or a backup service.</p> <p>I'd love feedback: what would make this more useful for your next quick transfer between devices?</p> <p><em>Writing assistance: AI helped draft and edit this post.</em></p> showdev tools webdev