Have you ever needed to copy a complex Wi-Fi password from a cafe menu, save a phone number from a business card, or extract notes from a classroom whiteboard photo? In the past, you had to manually type out the information, switching back and forth between apps and risking spelling mistakes.
Now, thanks to an incredibly powerful Apple feature called Live Text, you can instantly copy, paste, translate, and interact with text directly from any image on your iPhone.
What is Live Text?
Live Text is a system-wide feature introduced in iOS 15 that utilises on-device machine learning to recognise text in your photos, screenshots, and videos. Because the processing happens entirely on your iPhone rather than in the cloud, the feature is incredibly fast and completely private.
Beyond simply copying text, Live Text is contextually aware. If it detects a phone number, you can tap it to make a call. If it recognises a physical address, you can tap it to open Apple Maps. It can even translate foreign languages or convert currencies in real-time.
How to Enable Live Text on Your iPhone
Live Text should be enabled by default on all supported devices (iPhone XS and newer). However, if the feature is not working, you should verify your settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Tap on Language & Region.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and ensure the Live Text toggle is turned on (green).
How to Copy Text from a Photo in the Photos App
Extracting text from an image you have already taken or downloaded is incredibly straightforward.
- Open the Photos app and select any picture containing text.
- Look at the bottom right corner of the image. If your iPhone detects words, a small Live Text icon (it looks like a yellow viewfinder with lines of text inside) will appear.
- Tap the Live Text icon. All recognised text in the photo will instantly highlight.
- You can now press and hold on any highlighted word, drag the blue grab points to select exactly what you need, and tap Copy from the pop-up menu.
- Open another app (such as Apple Notes or Messages) and Paste the text.
Tip: You do not even need to tap the Live Text icon first. You can simply press and hold directly on any text within a photo to select it instantly.
How to Use Live Text Directly from the Camera
You do not need to take a photo and clutter your camera roll to use Live Text. You can grab text directly from your live camera viewfinder.
- Open the Camera app.
- Point your lens at a physical document, a sign, or a computer screen containing text.
- A yellow bracket will appear around the text, and the Live Text icon will pop up in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the icon. The camera will freeze the text, allowing you to highlight it, copy it, or tap Translate without ever pressing the shutter button.
By mastering Live Text, you can drastically speed up your daily workflows, transforming your iPhone into a powerful, pocket-sized document scanner.
