PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Use Live Text on iPhone

How to Use Live Text on iPhone

Instead of typing out a phone number or address by hand, Live Text can recognize the text right inside a photo so you can copy it, call the number, or open it in Maps in one tap.

  1. Open a photo that contains text

    In the Photos app, open a picture that includes text, like a document or a sign.

  2. Press and hold on the text in the photo

    Press and hold the text portion of the photo, and it automatically switches into text selection mode.

  3. Select and copy the text you need

    Drag to select just the part you want, then tap "Copy" to paste it into another app.

  4. Recognize text live through the camera

    With the Camera app open, a small yellow icon appears under any text in view, letting you recognize and use it in real time.

A Faster Way to Handle Business Cards and Flyers

Rather than typing a phone number or address from a business card or flyer by hand, Live Text pulls the text straight out of the photo so you can copy it instantly, or tap it to call the number or open the address in Maps.

Where Live Text Shows Up Beyond Photos

The same recognition works on screenshots, in the Camera app before you even take a picture, and on frozen video frames, so you can grab text from a recipe on screen, a slide in a video call, or a paused video without needing to type anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Live Text also recognize other languages?

Yes, it supports a range of languages, and you can check or adjust which recognition languages are enabled in Settings.

Can I call a number as soon as it is recognized?

Yes, tapping a recognized phone number brings up options to call it directly or add it as a new contact.