Get started with ClipOrigin on Mac

Check your Mac and choose the right edition

The direct-download edition requires Apple Silicon and macOS 26 or later. Check Apple menu → About This Mac before downloading. It supports English and Simplified Chinese.

This guide describes the direct-download edition from cliporigin.app. The separate TestFlight edition has different sandbox restrictions and does not include external AI agent connections.

Install and start the trial

The official installer is signed and notarized. A full-feature trial lasts 14 days and does not require a license code. Initial trial registration needs an internet connection.

1. Download the installer from the official website and open the DMG.
2. Drag ClipOrigin into Applications, then launch it from Applications.
3. Open Settings → License and start the trial. If registration fails, check the connection and retry without buying another license.
4. Grant the screen-capture permission when using screenshots. Grant Accessibility permission if you want ClipOrigin to paste directly into another app.

Complete your first screenshot workflow

Use a sample window without passwords, private messages or customer details. The shortcuts below are defaults; your settings can override them.

1. Press Control–Option–S, select a region and release to capture it.
2. Open the screenshot from the preview and enter the editor. Add an arrow or text to indicate the part that matters.
3. Copy or export the result. Keep an editable .cliporiginshot document when you want to revise annotations later.
4. Press Control–Option–V to open the floating clipboard panel. Find the image and press Space to inspect it.
5. Return to the destination app and reuse the image. Direct paste requires the appropriate permission; you can also copy the item and use Command–V.

Try a text task next

Copy a harmless paragraph from a document, then copy something else. Open the floating panel with Control–Option–V and use Command–F to find the earlier text. Space opens a preview; Shift–Return pastes plain text.

For text visible on the screen, Control–Option–T opens on-device OCR. Select a region, check the recognized text, and copy it. Independent screen OCR does not save a screenshot to disk.

If the first task does not work

For a capture or paste permission problem, review the relevant permission in macOS System Settings and relaunch the application if macOS requests it. Check that the shortcut in ClipOrigin settings matches the one you are using.

For an empty panel, first copy a new harmless item while ClipOrigin is running. For payment or activation help, contact support@cliporigin.app and include the order receipt if applicable; do not post a license key publicly.

You can send a description of the task you tried, where it stopped, the app version and macOS version to hello@cliporigin.app. Sharing clipboard contents or screenshots is optional.

Decide after trying the workflow

The direct edition has a US$9.90 launch price, with a US$19.80 regular price. One lifetime license covers three Macs and includes future updates. There is no recurring subscription.

Purchasing is separate from trying the app. When the trial ends, existing content remains available to view, copy and export. Activation and periodic license verification use the network; the license supports up to 30 days between online verifications.

Questions & answers