Use iPhone Live Text to copy words from a photo or paused video, then check names, numbers and line breaks before reusing the text.
Check support and enable Live Text
Apple lists iPhone XS, XR or later with iOS 15 or later for Live Text; video support needs iOS 16 or later. Language and region availability varies. Open Settings > General > Language & Region and enable Live Text.
Copy from a photo
- Open the image in Photos.
- Touch and hold a word.
- Drag the selection handles to include the text you need.
- Tap Copy, then paste into your chosen app.
For video, pause on the frame containing the text first. The Live Text button can highlight recognized content.
Use other recognized information
Live Text can offer actions for detected phone numbers and email addresses, as well as translation. Review the detected information before placing a call or starting a message.
Build a quick proofreading habit
Our suggestion is to paste into a temporary note before using the text elsewhere. Compare the result with the original photo, especially letters that resemble numbers, punctuation, dates and amounts. A visually plausible line can still contain one incorrect character.
For a paragraph, check whether line breaks have split a sentence. For a list, check whether items are still in the correct order. If the photo contains several columns, select one section at a time instead of trying to extract everything in one pass.
Take a better source photo
Place the page flat, avoid glare and frame the text clearly. If the source is blurry, take another photo rather than spending several minutes repairing uncertain words. Keep the original image until you have verified the copied text. For official paperwork, treat extraction as a typing shortcut and check the final wording against the actual document.
Source: Official support documentation. Interface labels may vary with software version and device.