In the past, copying text from an image required using dedicated applications for Optical Character Recognition (OCR). With the current technologies available on mobile devices and computers, copying text from an image has become an extremely simple task for any user.
For iPhone and Mac devices, Apple introduced the “Live Text” feature in 2021 with the release of iOS 15 and macOS Monterey. This capability revolutionized the way users interact with text in images, making the process of copying text from an image instantaneous and accessible.
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How to Copy Text from an Image on Mac
For Mac computers running macOS Monterey or later, there are at least two simple methods to copy text from an image. You can use the Preview app (native to all macOS operating systems) or the file preview feature in Finder.
To copy text from an image using the Preview app, follow these steps:
1. Open the image from which you want to copy text in the Preview app.
2. Use your mouse cursor to select the text you want to copy from the image.
3. Right-click on the selected text, then choose “Copy Text” from the menu that appears.
The copied text can then be pasted into documents, sent in messages, or used wherever you need it. Both letters, numbers, and special characters can be copied.
Another even simpler method to copy all text from an image with a single click is by using the preview feature in Finder:
1. Select the image you want to copy text from (without opening it).
XNUMX. Press the Space key, then click on the text scanning icon (Live Text) in the bottom-right corner of the image.
The elements in the image that can be copied will be highlighted for easy selection.
XNUMX. Click on the “Copy All” option that appears in the bottom-left corner.
The text copied from the image can be used in any text editor or document.
How to Copy Text from an Image on iPhone
When you want to copy text from an image on your iPhone, all you need to do is have the image saved in the Photos app and follow these steps:
1. Open the image in the Photos app.
2. Press and hold on the text you want to copy from the image.
3. From the contextual menu that appears, select the “Copy” option.
Alternatively, just like on Mac computers, you can use the Live Text feature to copy all the text that appears in the image.
Both macOS and iOS have significantly improved their search systems with the introduction of the “Live Text” feature. You can now easily find images in your photo library containing specific words, numbers, or text by using the Spotlight search function. Moreover, if a phone number appears in an image, it can be called directly with a simple tap, making the process highly intuitive and efficient.
Related: How to copy photo edits to multiple images on iPhone
In addition to the functionality of copying text from an image, “Live Text” also offers advanced features that simplify text interaction. You can instantly translate text from an image, convert measurement units on the spot (such as dollars to euros or inches to centimeters), and if an image contains an address, it can be quickly opened in Apple Maps for navigation. These options make “Live Text” an incredibly useful tool for everyday users, whether for productivity, travel, or organization.
