How to Copy Text from Picture iPhone – Have you ever taken a picture of a document, and then you needed to copy the text instantly? Well, you don’t have to type everything manually because your iPhone already has an amazing feature! So, let me show you how to do it effortlessly. Plus, if your iPhone doesn’t support Live Text, there are still alternative methods that work like magic!
How to Copy Text from a Picture on iPhone (Easiest Way!)
Method 1: Using Live Text (iOS 15 and Later)
If you are using an iPhone XS or later, then you can copy text from an image with just a few taps. Since Apple introduced Live Text, everything has become much easier!
Steps:
- First, open the Photos app because that’s where all your pictures are stored.
- Next, find the picture that contains the text you want to copy.
- Then, tap and hold the text, and immediately, the selection tool will appear.
- After that, adjust the selection handles, and then tap Copy to grab the text instantly.
- Finally, paste it anywhere, like in Notes, Messages, or even Safari!
🚀 Pro Tip: If you’re browsing in Safari, and you see an image with text, just long-press it, and then you can copy the text instantly. Pretty cool, right?
Method 2: Using Live Text in Camera App
Sometimes, you don’t even need to take a picture because the Camera app itself can detect text in real time! So, this method works great when you are in a hurry.
Steps:
- First, open the Camera app and then point it at any text.
- Next, wait for the Live Text button (yellow frame icon) to appear.
- Then, tap it, and immediately, the text will become selectable.
- After that, highlight the text, and finally, tap Copy to use it anywhere.
💡 Pro Tip: This feature works instantly, so you won’t need to clutter your gallery with unnecessary photos!
Alternative Methods (For Older iPhones or Non-Supported Models)
If your iPhone doesn’t support Live Text, then you don’t have to worry because there are still other ways to copy text from images.
Method 3: Google Lens
If Live Text isn’t an option, then Google Lens is your best friend because it works on any iPhone.
- First, open the Google app and tap the Lens icon.
- Next, choose an image or capture a new one instantly.
- Then, tap Text, and highlight the words you want to copy.
- Finally, tap Copy, and use it anywhere!
✨ Why Use Google Lens?
- Since it works on all iPhones, you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
- Because it supports text translation, you can use it for multiple languages.
- Even if your handwriting is messy, this tool can still detect words quite accurately!
Method 4: Using Third-Party OCR Apps
If you need more advanced options, then several third-party OCR apps can extract text from images instantly.
- Microsoft Lens – Best for scanning documents quickly.
- Adobe Scan – Works perfectly for converting text into PDFs.
- CamScanner – Ideal for extracting text from business documents.
Just install one from the App Store, and then you can start scanning text immediately!
Where Can You Paste the Copied Text?
After copying the text, you’ll probably wonder where you can use it. So, here are some great options:
- Notes app – If you need to save the text for later, then this is the best place.
- Messages – When you want to share the copied text instantly.
- Safari or Google – If you need to look up something quickly.
- Word or Google Docs – Perfect for formatting and editing.
- Email – Useful when sending text professionally.
Common Issues & How to Fix Them
Even though this feature works well, sometimes, you might face a few problems. So, here’s how to fix them easily!
❌ Text Not Recognized?
- If the image is too blurry, then try adjusting the focus first.
- Since lighting affects text recognition, always ensure good lighting.
- In case Live Text fails, then using an OCR app might be the best option.
🔧 Live Text Not Working?
- First, check if Live Text is enabled: Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > Live Text.
- If your iPhone is an older model, then this feature won’t be available.
- Restarting your phone or updating iOS might fix the issue instantly.
📋 Copy-Paste Not Functioning?
- First, close and reopen the app where you want to paste the text.
- If that doesn’t work, then restart your iPhone.
- Try pasting into the Notes app first and then move the text elsewhere.
Bonus: What Else Can You Do with Live Text?
Since Live Text isn’t just for copying text, here are other useful features!
🔠 Translate Text in a Picture
- Select the text and tap Translate, then instantly, the translation will appear.
- Since multiple languages are supported, this feature is great for travelers!
📞 Call a Phone Number from an Image
- If you see a phone number in a picture, then just tap it and call instantly!
📚 Look Up Information from Text
- Since this feature is connected to search engines, you can easily look up words online.
📶 Copy Wi-Fi Passwords from Images
- If someone sends you a picture of a Wi-Fi password, then you can simply copy it instead of typing it manually!
Also Read: How to Turn Off Automatic Updates for Apps (Fast & Easy)
FAQ – Your Questions Answered!
Can I copy text from a handwritten note on iPhone?
Yes! However, this depends on how clear the handwriting is. Since Google Lens supports handwriting recognition, it might work better than Live Text.
Does Live Text work on all iPhones?
No, because it only works on iPhone XS and later running iOS 15 or newer.
How do I enable Live Text on my iPhone?
First, go to Settings > General > Language & Region, and then toggle Live Text on.
What’s the difference between Live Text and Google Lens?
- Live Text works offline because it’s built into iPhones.
- Google Lens supports handwriting recognition and better translations.
Which is the best third-party OCR app for iPhone?
If you need an all-in-one scanner, then Adobe Scan is great for PDFs, while Microsoft Lens works best for documents.
