Pasteboard Viewer for MAC
Free, open-source developer utility for Mac that inspects the system pasteboards live and previews text, RTF, images and Quick Look content.
Pasteboard Viewer Overview
Pasteboard Viewer is a developer utility that lets you inspect the various system pasteboards. It helps you make sure that your app is putting the correct data on NSPasteboard or UIPasteboard. The contents refresh live, and the app can preview text, RTF, images and anything that has a Quick Look preview.
The developer is clear about who it is for: this is not a clipboard manager, and if you are not a programmer you probably do not want it. It hides obsolete system pasteboard types that have modern equivalents, such as NSStringPboardType and NSFilenamesPboardType, so the list stays readable. Pasteboard Viewer is made by Sindre Sorhus, is open source under the MIT license and is free on the Mac App Store, and it is also available for iOS and visionOS. The current version needs macOS 26. Older versions for earlier systems, down to macOS 10.15, are linked from its GitHub page, and the developer also offers a version for people who cannot use the App Store, which gets no automatic updates and is refreshed about once a year.
Key Features
Pasteboard Viewer shows you exactly what is on the system pasteboards.
- Live refresh: the contents update as the pasteboard changes.
- Text previews: plain text and RTF content.
- Image previews: see images stored on the pasteboard.
- Quick Look: previews for anything that supports it.
- Stay in Front: keep the window above the others from the Window menu.
- Keyboard navigation: switch items with the up and down arrow keys.
- Cleaner list: obsolete types with modern equivalents are hidden.
- Copy identifiers: right-click an item in the sidebar to copy its type identifier.
What’s New in Version 2.12.0
Pasteboard Viewer 2.12.0 moves the app to the latest system versions.
- The app now requires macOS 26 and iOS 26
Pasteboard Viewer FAQ
Is Pasteboard Viewer free?
Yes. It is free on the Mac App Store and open source under the MIT license.
Which macOS version does Pasteboard Viewer need?
The current version, 2.12.0, needs macOS 26.
Can I use Pasteboard Viewer on an older Mac?
Yes. Its GitHub page links older versions: for example 2.11.0 for macOS 15, 2.8.0 for macOS 14 and 2.5.1 for macOS 13, going back to macOS 10.15.
Is Pasteboard Viewer a clipboard manager?
No. The developer says plainly that it is not a clipboard manager.
Who is Pasteboard Viewer for?
Programmers. It helps you check that your app puts the correct data on NSPasteboard or UIPasteboard. The developer says that if you are not a programmer, you probably do not want it.
What can Pasteboard Viewer preview?
Text, RTF, images and anything that has a Quick Look preview.
Can the Pasteboard Viewer window stay on top?
Yes. Enable Stay in Front in the Window menu.
Why are some pasteboard types missing from the list?
The app hides obsolete system types that have modern equivalents, such as CorePasteboardFlavorType, NSStringPboardType and NSFilenamesPboardType.
Can I get Pasteboard Viewer without the App Store?
Yes. The developer links a special version on its GitHub page for users who cannot access the App Store. It gets no automatic updates and is updated about once a year.
Where does the Pasteboard Viewer download on pasteboard-viewer.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Pasteboard Viewer page on the Mac App Store at https://apps.apple.com/app/id1499215709. pasteboard-viewer.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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More from Sindre Sorhus
FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.