The basic method: select, copy, and paste

To copy and paste on a Samsung tablet, you select the text or image you want, tap the copy option, then tap where you want it and select paste. The process works the same way across most Samsung tablets running Android, whether you're working in an email, a document, a web browser, or a messaging app.

Start by pressing and holding your finger on the text or image you want to copy. A menu will appear with options — tap Copy. The item is now stored in your tablet's clipboard. Navigate to where you want to paste it, press and hold again, and tap Paste. That's the full process.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold on text or an image, then tap Copy from the menu that appears.
  • Navigate to your destination, press and hold again, and tap Paste.
  • You can copy and paste between different apps — text from a web page into an email, for example.
  • If Paste doesn't appear as an option, the app you're in may not support pasting, or your clipboard may be empty.
  • Samsung tablets also let you select multiple items by tapping and dragging, or by using keyboard shortcuts if a keyboard is connected.

Selecting text word by word or line by line

If you want to copy only part of a sentence or paragraph, press and hold until the selection menu appears, then drag the blue handles at the start and end of the highlighted text to adjust what you're copying. This gives you precise control over which words get copied.

You can also double-tap a single word to select just that word, then drag the handles to expand the selection. This is faster than pressing and holding if you only need a few words rather than a whole block of text.

Copying images and links

To copy an image, press and hold on it until a menu appears, then tap Copy image or Copy (the exact wording depends on which app you're using). You can then paste it into another app — a messaging app, email, or document editor — by pressing and holding and tapping Paste.

For links, press and hold on the link text or the link itself. You'll see options like Copy link or Copy URL. Paste it into a message, email, or note the same way you would paste text. Some apps also let you tap Copy link address to grab just the web address without the link text.

Using keyboard shortcuts if you have a connected keyboard

If your Samsung tablet is connected to a keyboard — either a physical keyboard or a keyboard case — you can use standard shortcuts to copy and paste faster. Highlight the text you want with your finger or by clicking and dragging with the keyboard and trackpad, then press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste.

These shortcuts work in most apps, including email, web browsers, and document editors. They're the same shortcuts used on computers, so if you're familiar with those, your tablet will work the same way.

What to do if Paste isn't showing up

If you press and hold but don't see a Paste option, one of three things is usually happening: your clipboard is empty (you haven't copied anything yet), the app you're in doesn't support pasting, or the text field isn't active. Try copying something again and make sure you're tapping in an area where you can actually type or edit.

Some apps, like certain read-only document viewers or web pages, don't let you paste text into them. If you're trying to paste into a field that's meant for display only, you won't see the Paste option. Try pasting into a different app — a notes app or email — to confirm your clipboard is working.

Clearing your clipboard or managing what you've copied

Your Samsung tablet keeps the last thing you copied in its clipboard until you copy something else. There's no separate "clipboard manager" app built into most Samsung tablets, but the most recent item you copied is always available to paste.

If you want to clear your clipboard for privacy reasons, copy a blank space or a single character, which will overwrite what was there before. Some Samsung tablets with Samsung DeX (a desktop-like interface) or with a keyboard connected may have a clipboard history feature, but this varies by model and Android version.

Copying and pasting between different apps

One of the useful features of copy and paste on a tablet is that it works across apps. You can copy text from a web page in your browser and paste it into an email, or copy a link from a message and paste it into a notes app. The clipboard doesn't care which app you're in — it just holds whatever you copied last.

This is especially helpful when you're researching something online and want to save information, or when you're composing a message and need to include a link or quote from somewhere else. Copy from one app, switch to another, and paste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste photos between apps?

Yes. Press and hold on the photo, tap Copy image, then go to another app, press and hold in a text field or image area, and tap Paste. Not every app accepts pasted images — messaging and email apps do, but some document apps may not.

What if I copy something by accident and want to undo it?

Copy something else to overwrite it, or use the undo function in the app you're working in. Most apps have an undo button or you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z if a keyboard is connected. Once you've copied something new, the old item is gone from your clipboard.

Does copy and paste work the same way on all Samsung tablets?

The basic method is the same across all Samsung tablets running Android. Newer models and newer versions of Android may have slightly different menu layouts, but pressing and holding, then tapping Copy and Paste, works on all of them.

Can I copy text from a PDF on my Samsung tablet?

Yes, if you're using an app that lets you select text. Press and hold on the text in the PDF, adjust your selection with the blue handles, tap Copy, then paste it elsewhere. Some PDF readers don't allow text selection — if you can't highlight text, that app doesn't support copying from PDFs.

Is there a way to see what I've copied recently?

Most standard Samsung tablets don't have a built-in clipboard history. You can only see and paste the most recent item you copied. If you need to keep track of multiple copied items, consider using a notes app to paste and save them as you go.