roofninja

Thanks for the info, I would have to add that you need to change the "Home Directory" to "/" so you can see the root files. It took me awhile to figure that out. Thanks.

kychia

Haha sorry, assumed you knew how to get to the root directory which is "/".
Assume your phone is rooted now? Copy paste solved?

roofninja

I did root my SCH-i535 and it was a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. Here is the link I used to root.
http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-s3-sch-i535-verizon-how-to-root-gs3debugfsroot-104741/

I did download "ES File Explorer".
Changed the settings to:
settings-->Root settings-->Root Explorer
settings-->Root settings-->Mount File System
settings-->Home Directory-->/
More-->refresh (you may need to exit app to see /)

goto /data/clipboard (delete everything in it.)

Reboot phone (you may not need to do this, but it doesn't hurt.)

Now I can copy and paste.

kychia

Excellent! Thanks for detailing the steps!

hiddenmickey

I started having this problem a couple weeks ago and have had the phone for a few months. I'd prefer not to factory reset (especially since it's apparently a temporary fix) nor root. I tried booting in safe mode, and apps did not crash when copying or cutting - however I couldn't paste for some reason. Since there is a possibility this issue is related to a 3rd party app, would it be helpful at all to share what 3rd party apps we have looking for a universal one among us? We could probably narrow it down to ones that are more likely to be responsible (ones that use the clipboard or that we have used the cut/copy function on). For me, it would be:

Chrome
ChompSMS
Swiftkey
PayPal
Photobucket

Last edited by hiddenmickey; November 7th, 2012 at 02:34 PM.

rynlpin

For some reason, when I highlight text and try to copy (or cut), a little box pops up saying "added to clipboard" but when I go to paste somewhere, it doesn't work. Doesn't matter what app I'm using, my copy and paste simply doesn't work. Help? :/

__________________
http://twitter.com/rynlpin

kryzzay83

I've found it a bit buggy myself. When I select certain text the markers jump around like crazy and when I click copy it also occasionally doesn't paste.

rynlpin

Mine just stopped working. Doesn't matter which app I'm using or which keyboard, I go to copy something and it doesn't add to my clipboard.

stephendivers

I too have same problem and symptoms.
Started at end of October and don't know what caused it.

Any ideas?

kychia

Hi hiddenmickey,
I think the problem is the coding modification by Samsung on the Android OS.
Even if it's really due to 3rd party apps, it's unforgivable IMO that Samsung didn't protect their root folder. If I'm not wrong, unrooted means the user and 3rd party apps will not have root privileges to corrupt the clipboard. Ironically, most of the affected S3 is unrooted and currently requires to root to solve the root of the problem.

Anyway, I use plenty of apps, so I'll just name a few of the apps I use:
Chrome
Maxthon
Opera Mini
whatsapp
Gmail
Go Launcher
Go SMS
Go Keyboard
Lookout mobile Antivirus
Box
Dropbox
Evernote
Google Drive
MX player
BS player
Skype

jerofld

I've merged two threads of the same topic together. Unfortunately, the forums sorts by timestamp and does not keep threads grouped when merged. So there may be a few mixed conversations in this thread. However, both threads were borrowing suggestions from the other, so I felt that the mix shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck on your clipboard issues!

lyronva

As of last night, my S3 won't copy or paste. In most cases, let's say I'm in messaging and I press and hold a message and the menu comes up and I press "Copy message text" the screen freezes there for about 5 seconds, then the screen goes black for about 10 seconds, then I get the "Unfortunately, Messaging has stopped." error.

In the few places where it doesn't lock up, if I highlight text on a webpage for example, then hit the "copy" icon and go somewhere to paste, once I hold my finger down all I get is "clipboard", the paste is gone.

I have rebooted, removed battery, etc. I have no idea what's going on here - anyone?

Thanks in advance -

- Bill

hiddenmickey

Has anyone that has had this issue NOT use Chrome?

Shotgun84

I've merged a couple copy and paste threads with the existing copy and paste problem thread

__________________
I find the will so hard to find.
Oh well, whatever, nevermind!

TySonNMe

I have this problem also. I use Chrome so I cleared the cache and uninstalled it. Now it doesn't crash but it won't copy! I'll have text highlighted, click copy and go to paste and only get the blue arrow. When I go into the edit screen and click paste, nothing happens. Very frustrating for something so small!

kychia

Chrome maybe a likely suspect...but if it is indeed Chrome, I would think it is Samsung's problem that it didn't support Chrome to prevent this from happening. Unless I hear HTC, LG, Sony or Motorola, etc report this problem.

For me, after upgrading to Jelly Bean, only Chrome could copy and paste.

TySonNMe

Yeah, I'm putting it back on. Even if C&P doesn't work, I like certain other features of Chrome. I just wasted about an hour on Live Chat with Samsung, clearing the cache. They then advised a FR which I don't want to do since it seems the issue comes back anyway. Guess I'll just have to wait until Samsung gets it together and releases a patch.

albertojedi

Hello. How do I backup and restore from the Google account?

Thanks.

blue02

Hi all. I have the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and I'm having the same issue. I can't copy or paste and I keep getting TestService pop ups. Just wanted to chime in. I originally thought it was a Chrome issue and kept reporting it to Chrome when it would FC.

kychia

Oh great. Now even Samsung Galaxy Tab have this issue!

hiddenmickey

This is such a mess, how could Samsung take months to fix this??

blue02

Yeah, I've had the issue for a few weeks now, but like I said, I thought it was a bad Chrome update or something of that sort. It seems like it originally started a couple updates ago. Possible coincidence.

blue02

So my Tab is not rooted. I can go in and clear the data in TestService through app management though. Will that do anything beneficial or is it only the clipboard that needs to be cleared? Will it harm anything to clear the data in TestService? I'm tired of the TestService pop ups.

kychia

Hi Blue02,
Cleared my Test service data before. It didn't help or worsen the problem.

blue02

Thank you, Kychia.

kychia

Just realised that I can copy and paste in Google Drive documents.
Prior to this, could only copy and paste within Chrome webpages.

S3 Jelly Bean

mvadhia

Had to root my phone in the end (CWM) and delete the contents of the Clipboard folder which worked.

I have chrome too, which could C&P at some point as I remember doing it, but then I had OTA update and since then C&P stopped working.

Samsung should be shot for letting this happen.

kychia

Samsung should be shot!
For their pathetic tech team and their attitude for not treating this C&P issue seriously.
About one month since I reported this issue and this no answer from them!

Jerethi

So, with this method, did you not have to reboot into recovery and wipe cache first? You just deleted the contents of the clipboard folder?

kychia

Curse Samsung Mobile Everyday - Day 38. After 2 weeks of making my trip of Samsung Product Care, they finally gave me a call to pls reset my phone. Wait 2 weeks for this answer. Still in denial that this is not their problem!

sagar4995

just my 2 cents. same issue here. i'm 100% sure its got to do with Chrome browser. Everything was running smoothly... I just bought the phone a month back... no problems. Then few days back i dload Chrome n use the copy-paste function n the 3rd or 4th time i used it it just crashed n phone went black. had to reset. ever since then, im able to copy and when i long press to paste, i just get the 'Clipboard' box which is unclickable.

rynlpin

I completely 100% agree with this post. I was using my SGSIII for a good 2-3 months using the phone's stock browser and then Swype updated and was buggy so people suggested trying Chrome as Swype seemed to work flawlessly with it. I figured well since my phone is an Android and Chrome was Google, I had no problem making the switch. Since making the switch, copy and paste issue has occurred twice and TWICE I've been forced to factory reset my device...

Last edited by rynlpin; November 19th, 2012 at 01:57 AM.

Jerethi

I had used Chrome for quite some before this problem arose for me. I actually wonder if it was caused by a third-party keyboard I recently installed (and then subsequently uninstalled). I seem to recall someone speculating a while back on this.

rynlpin

What third party keyboards have you tried?

blue02

Like I said before, it seemed like it began almost immediately after a Chrome update for me.

blue02

In case anyone else is tempted to try uninstalling Chrome and seeing if that helps, don't bother. I just tried. No change.

Jerethi

I believe it was a keyboard modeled after the new keyboard in 4.2.

In any event, regardless of what apps may trigger this issue (Chrome or otherwise) the underlying issue seems to be that there is a root file or directory that should be write-protected but which clearly is not, and the solution is to get Samsung to recognize it and do something! Unfortunately, that's easier said that done, apparently.

hiddenmickey

Nobody has actually solved the issue by uninstalling an app have they? I suppose if an app has corrupted a file then that wouldn't help.

blue02

I think if it was being caused by Chrome a lot more devices would have issues. I imagine that most users download Chrome before any other browser.

I also use a different keyboard. SwiftKey.

hiddenmickey

Not EVERY user with Chrome would necessarily have the issue or know they have the issue, at least not right away. A huge number of low-level use people probably don't even cut or copy.

I also use SwiftKey. And ChompSMS. Both are buggy lately. But Chrome seems to be the universal one.

jamsterdm

since my 'pba fail' and having my phone repaired ive had no issues of this clipboard problem (so far) and i have chrome installed

sagar4995

my bad. forgot to mention that i tried that already in my above post. would've saved u n few others the time.

hiddenmickey

That could just be because it was factory reset, which is a temporary fix. After some time the problem may recur - please let us know! What is the PBA by the way?

blue02

No worries, Sagar.

Hiddenmickey, I've never downloaded chompsms if that helps in the narrow down process.

huii1027

Excuse me!
Where could I find this?

It seems I gotta go back computer and using DOS system ?

Last edited by huii1027; November 21st, 2012 at 04:02 AM.

jamsterdm

apparently PBA stands for Power Board Assembly. From what CPW said ive basically been given a new motherboard, Same imei and all though so not a new phone.

Of course if the clipboard issue happens again i shall be back here although apparently samsung are working on a fix

cgfw201

Hi
I've got the problem which a lot of people seem to have with the S3, whenever I try to copy some text to paste elsewhere, the phone crashes and I'm returned to the home screen.

The solution suggested in most places seems to be to root the device, go into a folder somewhere and delete some data?

Seems a bit of a ridiculous solution to a simple problem? I'm still on ICS, will the JB update (whenever TMobile UK get round to releasing it) fix the problem?

Merci.

PunyGod

sad to report I'm on 4.1.1 and I still can't copy/paste.
had the problem before the update, and despite my best hopes, the update didn't solve it.
And I'm certainly not rooting my phone to fix it.
Samsung are certainly aware of the problem, it's high time they fixed it

jo256

Hi- I have SG3* with cut & paste problem that started today. I have chrome and other browsers, email, twitter, all of which have been fine w/ cut & paste for months. Pulse app updated today, but, from reading the thread, the browsers or any one app itself does not seem to be the issue. I'm also afraid to root it. Maybe we can nudge Samsung on twitter and/or facebook. Samsung US has a pretty active twitter (mostly about Notell!), so I tweeted them this (they have a facebook, but I don't have acct):

@SamsungMobileUS Hi-do u have a fix for the cut & paste bug for the SG3? I've bn 2 evy forum & Fac Reset DOES NOT WORK- it comes back help

*bought in US (Jul 2012) on Verizon- not rooted. Ver 4.0.4. m# sch-1535

jo256

@SamsungSupport - they said i should send my problem to them, not the other address (@SamsungMobileUS). I tweeted to the problem to the 2nd address, so I'll write again if I get a result. Thanks for all the info.

Last edited by jo256; November 21st, 2012 at 12:52 PM.