How to Copy and Paste Pictures: Windows, Mac, iPhone, + Android

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Quick tutorial for copying and pasting images on your device

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Trying to copy and paste a photo on your computer or smartphone? The process is pretty easy! This wikiHow guide shows you how to copy images from one place and paste them into a different location on a Windows or Mac computer, as well as on an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device. We'll also cover how to copy and paste images in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Things You Should Know

  • On Windows and Mac, right-click the image and select "Copy" to copy an image.
  • On iPhone and Android, long press the image and tap "Copy" in the pop-up menu to copy an image.
  • In Microsoft Office, use the copy button in the Home tab to copy images.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

On Windows

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  1. If using a trackpad, depending on your computer's settings you can perform a right-click by either using two fingers to click the trackpad or by tapping the far-right side of the trackpad with a single finger.
    • You can copy pictures from your web browser or from image files stored on your computer.
    • If you're copying an image file, left-click it using your mouse or trackpad to select it first.
    • If you want to copy more than 1 image file, select multiple files by holding down Ctrl and clicking on those you want to select.
  2. The image or file will be copied to the Clipboard (a type of temporary storage) on your computer.
    • Alternatively, press Ctrl + C after selecting the file. In many applications, you can also click Edit in the menu bar, then click Copy .
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  3. This will open the right-click options menu.
    • For files, click in the folder where you want to place them.
  4. The image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
    • Alternatively, press Ctrl + V . In many applications, you can also click Edit in the menu bar, then click Paste .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

On Mac

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  1. If using a trackpad, depending on your computer's settings you can perform a right-click by either using two fingers to click the trackpad or by tapping the far-right side of the trackpad with a single finger.
    • You can copy pictures from your web browser or from image files stored on your computer.
    • If you're copying an image file, left-click it using your mouse or trackpad to select it first.
    • If you want to copy more than 1 image file, select multiple files by holding down ⌘ and clicking on those you want to select.
    • If you don't have a right-click function, press Control + click on Mac, then click Copy in the pop-up menu.
  2. The image or file will be copied to the Clipboard (a type of temporary storage) on your computer.
    • Alternatively, press ⌘ + C while the image file is selected to copy it to the Clipboard.
  3. For files, click in the folder where you want to place the images.
  5. The image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
    • Alternatively, ⌘ + V . You can also right-click on the mouse or trackpad. If you don't have a right-click function, press Control + click on Mac, then click Paste in the pop-up menu.
    • You can paste the image directly into Photoshop to resize it or edit it!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

On iPhone or iPad

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  1. To do so, long tap the picture until a menu appears. Copy and paste is an essential technology feature, even on smartphones!
    • You can copy pictures from your web browser or from image files stored on your smartphone.
  2. The image will be copied to the Clipboard (temporary storage) on your device.
  3. An options menu will appear.
    • If it's in a different app from the one in which you're copying, open the other app and navigate to where you want to paste the image.
  4. The image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor. You've successfully copy and pasted an image using your iPhone or iPad.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

On Android

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  1. To do so, long tap the picture until a menu appears.
    • You can copy pictures from your web browser or from image files stored on your smartphone.
  2. The image will be copied to the Clipboard (temporary storage) on your device.
  3. This will open an options menu.
    • If it's in a different app from the one in which you're copying, open the other app and navigate to the location where you want to paste the image.
  4. The image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

In Microsoft Office

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  1. In a Microsoft Office app like Word, PowerPoint, or Excel, clicking the image will select it.
    • You can press Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ (Mac) while clicking on images to select multiple pictures.
  2. It's an icon with two pieces of paper.
  4. This is in the Home tab. Doing so will paste the image you copied where you placed the cursor.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

In Google Workspace

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  1. This can be an image in any Google Workspace app, such as Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
  2. This will save the image to your temporary storage known as the Clipboard.
  4. It will appear where you placed your cursor.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    still i im on the picture and copy the image from the internet but i go to desktop and i left click and the paste button is grey out why please i need that picture on my desktop
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    On Windows or Mac, download the image file to your desktop by right-clicking the original image source > click "Save image as" > select your desktop and click "Save."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    how can I copy a photo file and make it appear as a photo, not a file
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    In Windows, double-click the image to open it in the Photos app. Then, right-click the image and select "Copy." On Mac, double-click the image to open it in the Preview app. Then, go to Edit > Copy in the menu bar to copy the image.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    What do you do if you copy an image but the option paste won't come on your menu bar?
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    This can happen if you haven't selected a place to paste the image. Try clicking a blank area in your document, a text cursor should appear. If the paste option still doesn't appear in the menu bar of your Mac, try quitting and reopening the app.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
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