Helping my sister with her research project recently highlighted a glaring omission in macOS: a native clipboard manager. With over 140 citations, constantly switching between tabs to copy URLs became a frustrating exercise. While macOS offers a universal clipboard, it lacks the basic functionality of a persistent clipboard history. This led me to Windows and its blissful Win+V shortcut, showcasing the efficiency of a native clipboard manager. My subsequent search for a comparable, affordable macOS solution led me to Maccy, an open-source gem that I now highly recommend to every Mac user.
Why Choose Maccy?
Details of copied items in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
While powerful clipboard managers like Paste exist, my need was for a simple, clean solution. Maccy, an open-source project by Alex Rodionov, fit the bill perfectly. With over a million downloads on GitHub and a vibrant community contributing over two thousand improvements, Maccy has proven its value. It’s compatible with macOS Sonoma and later, and available for free download from its repository, via Homebrew, or from its dedicated website (maccy.app). While available on the Mac App Store for $9.99, installing directly from the website offers a more affordable option.
How Maccy Works
Storage preferences in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Setting up Maccy is straightforward. Downloaded versions require a trust permission before installation. Once installed, a dedicated shortcut appears in the menu bar. Command + C copies content as usual, while Command + Shift + C (customizable) opens the Maccy clipboard. I personally opted for Control + Shift + C to avoid conflicts with Google Docs’ word count shortcut.
Long list of copied items in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Power users can explore additional shortcuts in the user guide. Clicking the leaf icon in the menu bar also opens the clipboard, displaying recent items with numerical shortcuts. Clicking an item or using a Command + Number shortcut (e.g., ⌘+4) copies it to the system clipboard, ready for pasting.
Convenient Features
Hovering over a clipboard entry displays its source, copy count, and timestamps. A search bar allows filtering by exact or broad matches. Pasting can be automated, eliminating the need for a separate paste command. Items can be pinned for quick access, or deleted to manage the list.
General settings in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Maccy offers formatting control, allowing pasting without formatting, addressing potential conflicts with application shortcuts. Bulk clearing and temporary disabling of saving prevent clutter.
Appearance settings in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Enhanced Privacy and Flexibility
Creating software exceptions within Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Privacy-conscious users can configure Maccy to delete clipboard content on quit and wipe the directory. Exceptions can be created for sensitive applications like password managers. Content type filtering (text, images, files) and a customizable clipboard size limit (default 200) further enhance control.
Advanced settings in the Maccy clipboard app for macOS.
Conclusion
Maccy strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality. It’s a lightweight, efficient clipboard manager that seamlessly integrates into the macOS workflow. Its open-source nature and active community ensure ongoing improvements and adaptability. Whether you choose the free download or a customized Homebrew build, Maccy provides a valuable solution for managing your clipboard content on macOS.
