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Clipboard & Share in Compose: Copy, Paste & Intent Sharing Guide

#android #mobile #jetpackcompose #kotlin

Clipboard & Share in Compose: Copy, Paste & Intent Sharing Guide

Handling clipboard and intent sharing is essential for modern Android apps. In Jetpack Compose, combining LocalClipboardManager, Intent.ACTION_SEND, and proper feedback mechanisms creates a seamless user experience.

LocalClipboardManager: Copy and Paste

Use LocalClipboardManager to read/write clipboard data directly from Compose:

val clipboardManager = LocalClipboardManager.current

// Copy text to clipboard
Button(onClick = {
    clipboardManager.setText(AnnotatedString("Hello, Android!"))
}) {
    Text("Copy to Clipboard")
}

// Read from clipboard
val pastedText = remember { mutableStateOf("") }
Button(onClick = {
    pastedText.value = clipboardManager.getText()?.text ?: ""
}) {
    Text("Paste from Clipboard")
}
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Providing User Feedback with Snackbar

Always notify users of clipboard operations with visual feedback:

val snackbarHostState = remember { SnackbarHostState() }
val scope = rememberCoroutineScope()

Column {
    Button(onClick = {
        clipboardManager.setText(AnnotatedString("Copied!"))
        scope.launch {
            snackbarHostState.showSnackbar("Text copied to clipboard")
        }
    }) {
        Text("Copy")
    }

    SnackbarHost(hostState = snackbarHostState)
}
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Intent Sharing with createChooser

Share content via Intent.ACTION_SEND:

val context = LocalContext.current

Button(onClick = {
    val sendIntent = Intent().apply {
        action = Intent.ACTION_SEND
        putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "Check out this app!")
        putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, "Amazing App")
        type = "text/plain"
    }
    val chooserIntent = Intent.createChooser(sendIntent, "Share via")
    context.startActivity(chooserIntent)
}) {
    Text("Share Text")
}
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Sharing Images with Intent

Share images by providing a URI:

val context = LocalContext.current

Button(onClick = {
    val imageUri = Uri.parse("content://com.example.app/images/sample.jpg")
    val shareIntent = Intent().apply {
        action = Intent.ACTION_SEND
        putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, imageUri)
        type = "image/*"
    }
    val chooser = Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, "Share Image")
    context.startActivity(chooser)
}) {
    Text("Share Image")
}
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Receiving Shared Content

Declare an intent-filter to receive shared data:

<activity android:name=".MainActivity">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.SEND" />
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
        <data android:mimeType="text/plain" />
    </intent-filter>
</activity>
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Handle received content in your Compose screen:

val intent = LocalContext.current.currentActivity?.intent
val sharedText = intent?.getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT) ?: ""
val sharedUri = intent?.getParcelableExtra<Uri>(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM)

Text("Received: $sharedText")
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Best Practices

  • Always provide visual feedback (Snackbar, Toast) after clipboard operations
  • Use createChooser() to let users select their preferred sharing app
  • Handle missing clipboard data gracefully
  • Request proper permissions for accessing shared files
  • Test with multiple sharing apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Email, etc.)

Master clipboard and sharing patterns to build user-friendly Android apps that integrate seamlessly with the ecosystem.

Explore more Android development patterns: 8 Android App Templates → https://myougatheax.gumroad.com

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