Unlocking Hidden Features: Effortless Media Sharing Across Apple Devices
For those who have been using Apple devices for some time, familiarity with their functionalities is a common sentiment. Many users develop personal routines and strategies, but it’s easy to overlook the substantial updates Apple has introduced over the years. Among these enhancements are several little-known gestures that can streamline the user experience—one of which is designed for quickly sharing photos and videos among Apple devices, sometimes even quicker than AirDrop.
The gesture itself is straightforward: start by opening a photo or video, then use three fingers (your thumb, index, and middle finger) to perform a pinch-in motion on the display. Upon successful execution, a “Copy” notification will appear at the top. (Be mindful that the gesture could also inadvertently dismiss the image, but as long as the content was copied, there’s no issue.) Alternatively, users can employ traditional methods like highlighting text and copying it or long-pressing on an image and selecting “Copy.”
You can then paste the copied media wherever necessary. Tap on a text field and choose “Paste,” or use the three-finger pinch-out gesture instead of pinch-in. This maneuver truly shines when leveraging the Universal Clipboard feature, which enables copying and pasting across different devices seamlessly. For instance, a photo copied on an iPhone can be immediately pasted on a Mac, and a video from an iPad can be transferred to an iPhone in an instant. (It’s worth noting that this gesture isn’t applicable on Macs, even those with trackpads.)
To utilize this feature, ensure that all devices are logged into the same Apple ID and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network with Bluetooth enabled. Additionally, Handoff must be activated on each device. It’s advisable to double-check this setting. Navigate to Settings (or System Settings on Mac) > General > Airplay & Continuity > Handoff.
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With Handoff set up on all your devices, repeat the gesture: on your iPhone or iPad, try the three-finger pinch on any visual content you want to use. Then, seamlessly paste it onto another device that’s open and ready.
The next time you wish to transfer a photo or video from one device to another, consider this gesture as a preferable alternative to AirDrop or sending files through text. Not only does it enhance the speed of your sharing process, but it allows for an immediate paste, enhancing efficiency. A true win-win!
