Modern versions of iOS feature Live Text, an on-device optical character recognition system that automatically detects written words, phone numbers, email addresses, and numerical data inside the Camera viewfinder, saved photos, screenshots, and paused video frames. Beyond simple text copying, Live Text includes an intelligent contextual converter capable of converting foreign currencies into your local denomination, switching between metric and imperial measurements, and translating Fahrenheit to Celsius without requiring manual calculation or dedicated third-party apps.
Whenever Live Text identifies a recognisable currency symbol (such as € or £), temperature marking, or unit of measurement, it renders an interactive conversion icon directly on the screen. Tapping this icon performs an instant conversion based on system settings and current exchange rates.
How to Convert Currencies and Units Directly in the Camera App
If you are travelling abroad, shopping, or browsing physical price tags and menus, you can convert values in real time without taking a photo.
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone and ensure it is set to standard Photo mode.
- Point your camera lens steadily at the printed price tag, receipt, recipe measurement, or temperature gauge.
- When yellow framing brackets appear around the detected text, tap the yellow Live Text icon (three lines enclosed in a rounded viewfinder square) in the bottom-right corner of the viewfinder.
- The camera preview will freeze. Notice the small conversion badge that appears in the lower-left corner showing the converted value in your iPhone’s primary currency or unit system.
- Tap the conversion badge to reveal an expanded card with additional conversion details, or tap and hold the converted figure to copy it directly to your clipboard.
How to Convert Values in Saved Photos and Screenshots
Live Text functions seamlessly across your existing image library in the Photos app, Safari web pages, and quick screenshots.
- Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select any image, screenshot, or receipt containing numerical values and currency symbols or unit abbreviations.
- Tap the Live Text button in the lower-right corner of the image viewer. The system will highlight all selectable text elements.
- Tap the unit conversion badge in the lower-left corner to view the local equivalent.
- Alternatively, tap directly on the specific number and symbol within the photo. An action sheet will appear displaying the conversion, along with options to Copy, Share, or view related conversions in the native Calculator app.
For additional quick mathematical tools on iOS, explore our guide on how to convert currency, units, and time zones directly in iPhone Spotlight search.
Customising Default Currency and Measurement Systems
Live Text relies on your regional device configuration to determine which currency and measurement formats to display by default.
- Setting Regional Formats: Navigate to Settings > General > Language & Region. Verify that your Region matches your country of residence, which dictates local currency conversion standards.
- Measurement Units: Within the same Language & Region menu, tap Measurement System to select between Metric, US, or UK standards.
- Temperature Scale: Tap Temperature to toggle between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) depending on your personal preference.
Troubleshooting Live Text Conversion Issues
If unit or currency conversion tags fail to display on your iPhone, verify these standard settings:
- Live Text toggle: Navigate to Settings > General > Language & Region and ensure the Live Text toggle is enabled. Additionally, verify under Settings > Camera that Show Detected Text is activated.
- Active internet connection: Real-time currency conversions require an active Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to pull up-to-date foreign exchange rates. Without internet access, Live Text can still convert static units (such as kilometres to miles or grams to ounces), but currency conversions may be temporarily unavailable.
- Hardware compatibility: Live Text conversion features require an iPhone model with an Apple A12 Bionic chip or newer (iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and later models).