Why exclusions matter
A clipboard manager records what you copy — which is the point, until you copy a password, a 2FA code, or a private token. The fix isn't to stop using a manager; it's to tell it which apps and which kinds of clips to ignore.
Treat your password manager as the first thing to exclude. Anything copied from it should never reach clipboard history.
Exclude specific apps in Maccy
In Maccy's preferences you can add apps to an ignore list. Copies made from those apps won't be stored. Add your password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, Apple Passwords) and anything else that handles secrets.
Most password managers also mark copied passwords as “transient” or “concealed,” and well-behaved clipboard tools — Maccy included — avoid recording fields flagged that way. Excluding the app is the belt-and-braces version.
Respecting concealed clipboard data
macOS lets apps mark a clipboard item as sensitive (the same mechanism that hides it from some logging). Maccy is built to skip these, so passwords from a compliant manager generally don't get saved even before you set up an ignore list. Still, explicit exclusions are the reliable approach.
Limit retention as a backstop
Set a sensible history size so old clips roll off, and consider a shorter Spotlight retention (30 minutes) if you use the built-in history too. Less stored data is less to worry about.
Use a local, open-source manager
Maccy keeps everything on your Mac and lets you exclude sensitive apps — privacy by default.
Frequently asked questions
Can clipboard managers see my passwords?
They can record anything you copy, including passwords — which is why you exclude your password manager. Tools like Maccy also skip clips apps mark as concealed.
How do I stop Maccy saving passwords?
Add your password manager to Maccy's ignore list in preferences. Copies from that app won't be stored.
Is it safe to use a clipboard manager with 1Password?
Yes, if you exclude 1Password (and similar) from the manager. Local-only managers like Maccy keep the rest of your history on-device too.
Does macOS hide copied passwords from history?
Apps can flag copied passwords as concealed, and good managers skip them. Excluding the app is the dependable safeguard.