5 Methods for Extracting, Copying Text from Image on iPhone

Extracting text from images on an iPhone has become significantly easier with the advancement of optical character recognition (OCR) technology and the introduction of various built-in and third-party tools. Here are five methods to help you copy text from images efficiently.

Using Live Text Feature

The Live Text feature, introduced in iOS 15, is a powerful tool for extracting text from images directly on your iPhone. Here’s how to use it:

• Enable Live Text: Go to Settings > General > Language & Region and turn on the switch next to Live Text if it’s turned off.
• Copy Text from Photos: Open the Photos app, select the image with text, and press down on any word in the picture until it’s selected. A menu will appear above it. Drag the circular grab points to select all the words you wish to capture or tap Select All to highlight all visible text. Then, choose Copy to grab the text.
• Copy Text from Camera: Aim your phone’s camera at a sign, document, or any other physical object. Tap the scan button that appears in the lower-right corner of the viewfinder. Select the text you wish to capture, then copy and paste it over to another app.

Using the Camera App with Live Text

If you need to extract text from a physical object in real-time, you can use the Camera app:

• Open the Camera App: Launch the Camera app on your iPhone.
• Point at the Text: Point the camera toward the object with text that you want to copy.
• Select the Text: Tap once on the text from the viewfinder, then tap on the Live Text icon. The selected portion will move to the forefront. Tap on the first word of the text that you want to copy and move the selection points to select the desired text. Press the Copy option in the pop-up bar.

Using Google Lens

For those who prefer using third-party apps or need additional functionality, Google Lens is a viable option:

• Install and Open Google App: Install and open the Google app on your iPhone.
• Access Google Lens: Tap on the Camera icon in the Google search bar to open the Google Lens feature.
• Scan the Text: Point the camera toward an item, such as a billboard, receipt, or document, that has text you want to copy. Select Text from the available options at the bottom, then press the capture button. The text in the picture will be highlighted. Tap on the text that you want to copy, then press the Copy text button at the bottom.

Using Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft Office Lens is another powerful tool for extracting text from images:

• Download and Open Office Lens: Download the Microsoft Office Lens app from the App Store and open it.
• Scan the Image: Use the app to scan a document or image. The app will automatically detect and extract the text.
• Copy the Text: Once the text is extracted, you can copy it and paste it into any other app.

Using Third-Party OCR Apps

For additional flexibility, you can use third-party OCR apps like PDFgear Scan:

• Download PDFgear Scan: Get PDFgear Scan from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and launch it.
• Select the Image: Tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom and choose Gallery. Select the photo(s) and tap Done.
• Process the Image: Rotate, crop, and straighten the picture with the tools provided for high-quality scanning. Then, tap DONE.
• Extract the Text: Choose the To Text option in the new window, and the OCR feature will start detecting and obtaining the content. You can then copy, edit, and export the text from the picture.

Each of these methods offers unique advantages and can be tailored to your specific needs, making it easier than ever to extract and copy text from images on your iPhone.