A local history for the things macOS forgets after the next copy.
Native macOS clipboard history
InsertIt
Searchable Mac clipboard history for text, links, rich text, screenshots, and Finder files. Try it free for 14 days.
Version 0.1.25 for macOS 14 or newer. Notarized DMG. No account needed for the trial.
The global hotkey opens on the screen where you were working.
Line up a temporary run of items, then paste the next one or all of them.
Keep developer credentials in encrypted local storage, separate from history.
Made for interruption-heavy work
Find the thing you copied five minutes ago.
macOS keeps one item ready to paste. InsertIt keeps a searchable local history for the text, links, rich text, screenshots, and Finder files you need again after the next interruption.
More ways to recover, organise, and protect what you copied.
Search, recover, queue, and control copied content without sending it to an account or cloud sync. Keep developer credentials in their own private place.
Clipboard and file history
Keep text, links, rich text, screenshots, and copied Finder files in one local timeline.
Quick picker
Open with Option-Command-V on the screen where you were working.
Direct paste back
Pick an item and paste into the app you were using.
Paste Stack
Build a temporary, reorderable queue and paste the next item or everything remaining.
Unified search
Search copied text, URLs, domains, filenames, and screenshot OCR.
Local OCR
Apple Vision makes screenshot text searchable on-device.
Developer Vault
Store API keys, access tokens, and client secrets separately in encrypted local storage.
Pins and cleanup
Pin, deduplicate, and set retention limits per category.
Privacy controls
Pause capture, clear history, and exclude sensitive apps.
Local history, no account
Your clipboard history stays on your Mac.
Clipboard history is stored locally; there is no cloud sync or hosted database.
Screenshot files and thumbnails live in Application Support on your Mac.
Screenshot OCR runs locally with Apple Vision.
Pause capture, clear history, set retention limits, and exclude sensitive apps.
Developer Vault credentials use separate encrypted local storage and never join ordinary history.
Optional product updates
Know when InsertIt gets better.
Get an email about meaningful software updates, important fixes, and new features. There is no account, password, or clipboard reporting.
Direct download
Start with the notarized trial build.
Download the DMG, drag InsertIt to Applications, and use the full app for 14 days. After the trial, a lifetime license keeps capture, quick picker, direct paste, and paste stack unlocked.
FAQ
Clear answers before you install.
What can InsertIt remember?
InsertIt keeps text, links, rich text, screenshots, and copied Finder files in local history. You can browse them by type, pin the ones you need, and search across text, URLs, filenames, and screenshot OCR.
How does Paste Stack work?
Add history items to a temporary queue, put them in the order you need, and paste the next item or all remaining items. Each item keeps its original format, and the queue stays in memory rather than becoming part of your saved history.
Is Developer Vault part of my clipboard history?
No. Developer Vault is a separate place for API keys, access tokens, and client secrets. Values are stored in encrypted local storage, masked by default, and unlocked with Touch ID or your Mac password before you reveal, copy, or paste them.
Which shortcuts work in Quick Picker?
Open Quick Picker with Option-Command-V. In both the main window and Quick Picker, Command-1 through Command-7 switch between All, Text, Links, Screenshots, Files, Pinned, and Vault.
Why does InsertIt need Accessibility permission?
Accessibility lets InsertIt send the paste command after you pick a history item, so it can paste back into the app that was active before the picker opened.
Does InsertIt upload my clipboard history?
No. Clipboard items, screenshot files, OCR text, Finder file references, and related metadata stay on your Mac. Developer Vault credentials stay in separate encrypted local storage on your Mac.
Can I get product updates without sharing app data?
Yes. Product updates are optional. You confirm the email address yourself and can unsubscribe at any time. InsertIt only sends the email address and your choice to receive updates, never your clipboard history, screenshots, OCR text, or app activity.
What happens after the 14-day trial?
InsertIt still opens, but capture, Quick Picker, direct paste, and Paste Stack pause until you activate a lifetime license.
Why direct download instead of the Mac App Store?
Direct download keeps the workflow simple: a notarized DMG, a menu bar utility, a global hotkey, direct paste, and local screenshot folder watching.