Ever get frustrated trying to select and copy text from an app or a website, only to find it won't let you highlight anything? Maybe it's a PDF with copy protection, an image-heavy page, or a receipt you need to save. If you can see it on your screen, you can copy it — you just need to go through Live Text.

How to use it

1. Take a screenshot of whatever text you're struggling to select (press the side button + volume up on iPhone)
2. Open the screenshot in Photos
3. Touch and hold any word — Live Text recognizes it as selectable text
4. Drag the grab points to select exactly what you need
5. Tap Copy, then paste it wherever you want

That's it. The text that was locked down a moment ago is now in your clipboard.

You can also use the Camera directly

You don't always need a screenshot. Point your iPhone camera at any text — a sign, a book, a whiteboard, even another screen — and tap the Live Text button (the icon in the bottom-right corner of the viewfinder). You can copy, share, look up, or translate text right from the camera, without even taking a photo.

Good to know

• Works offline. Live Text processes everything on-device — no internet required.
• Videos too. Pause any video in Photos and Live Text will recognize text in the frame (iOS 16+).
• Translation built in. Select text in another language and tap Translate — no extra app needed.
• Works system-wide. Live Text appears in the Camera app, Photos, Safari, Quick Look, and even in apps like Notes and Reminders.
• Requires iPhone XS/XR or later with iOS 15+. For video support, you need iOS 16+.

For more details, see Apple's guide on copying and translating text from photos.