# Why an item is missing from NotchStar clipboard history

> If a copy is missing from NotchStar clipboard history, check the password manager flag, the 50 item limit, launch time and quits, in that order.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-item-missing-from-history/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

If something you copied does not show up in NotchStar's clipboard history, one of a few things happened. Work through the list in order.

## Checks

1. **Is NotchStar running?** The history only records copies made while the app is open. Look for its icon in the menu bar. A copy made while it was closed is not recorded. See [copies made before NotchStar started](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-copied-before-notchstar-started/).
2. **Did a password manager make the copy?** Copies a password manager marks as concealed are skipped on purpose. See [password manager copies](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-password-manager-copies/).
3. **Was it only spaces or line breaks?** Copies with no visible characters are ignored.
4. **Was it pushed out?** NotchStar keeps 50 items and 10 images. A newer image can push out an older image. Search the list, because the list itself shows only 30 rows. See [the 50 item limit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/).
5. **Did the app quit or restart?** History is in memory and is cleared on every quit. See [why history clears on quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-clears-on-quit/).
6. **Was it a mix of types?** If one copy holds a file and text, the file is recorded. If it holds text and an image, the text is recorded. See [Finder files](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-files-copied-in-finder/).

## Still nothing

An app that does not put its copy on the standard Mac clipboard cannot be seen by any clipboard tool. If a copy never pastes anywhere else either, the problem is the app that made it.

If a row is there but you cannot find it, try [searching](https://www.notchstar.com/help/find-an-old-copy-in-clipboard-history/). The tool is on the [Clipboard feature page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/clipboard/).

## Quick answers.

### Does the history record copies made while NotchStar was closed?

No. It watches the clipboard only while the app is running.

## Keep reading.

- [Clipboard history that lives in your notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/clipboard/): Searchable clipboard history in the Mac notch: text, links, images and files. Skips password manager copies. Click any item to copy it again.
- [Why password manager copies do not appear in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-password-manager-copies/): NotchStar skips any copy a password manager marks as concealed, so those passwords never reach clipboard history. Unmarked copies cannot be detected.
- [Why NotchStar missed a copy made before it started](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-copied-before-notchstar-started/): NotchStar only records copies made while it runs. What was on the clipboard at launch, or copied while it was closed, is not added.
- [How many items NotchStar clipboard history keeps](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/): NotchStar keeps the 50 most recent clipboard items, at most 10 of them images. Older items drop off, and the list shows the 30 newest matches at a time.

## More in Clipboard.

- [How to search your clipboard history in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-your-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard and type to filter 50 recent copies. Search ignores capitals and accents, and typing image finds copied images.
- [How many items NotchStar clipboard history keeps](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/): NotchStar keeps the 50 most recent clipboard items, at most 10 of them images. Older items drop off, and the list shows the 30 newest matches at a time.
- [Why your NotchStar clipboard history clears when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-clears-on-quit/): NotchStar keeps clipboard history in memory only, so quitting the app clears it. Nothing is written to disk, and password manager copies are skipped.
- [How to paste an older item from NotchStar clipboard history](https://www.notchstar.com/help/paste-from-notchstar-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard, click the item you want, then press Command V where you want it. NotchStar copies the item back and does not paste for you.
- [What happens when you copy the same thing twice in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/copy-again-moves-clipboard-item-to-top/): Copy the same text, image or file again and NotchStar moves it to the top of the clipboard list instead of adding a duplicate. Here is how it matches.
- [What NotchStar does with files you copy in Finder](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-files-copied-in-finder/): NotchStar records files copied in Finder as files, with their icon, not as text names. Click a row to copy the file again. Search matches name and path.