How to Extract Text From Images on iPhone

Your iPhone is already a capable text scanner. Between Apple's built-in tools and a free online OCR converter, you can turn almost any photo of printed text into editable, copyable text in seconds. Here are the options, from quickest to most flexible.

Option 1: Use Live Text in the Photos app

Recent versions of iOS include Live Text, which recognizes text right inside photos.

1. Open a photo in the Photos app.
2. Tap the Live Text icon in the corner, or simply press and hold on the text.
3. Drag to select, then choose Copy, Look Up, or Translate.

This is great for grabbing a phone number, address, or a short paragraph on the fly without leaving the Photos app.

Option 2: Scan with the Camera or Notes app

For a fresh capture, open the Camera and point it at the text; a Live Text button often appears so you can copy directly. The Notes app also has a document scanner (tap the camera icon, then "Scan Documents") that flattens and crops a page for you, which is handy for multi-page documents.

Option 3: Use a free online OCR tool

Built-in tools are convenient, but a browser-based converter gives you more control over the output, including downloading the text as a file. It also works the same way across devices, so your iPhone and your laptop behave identically.

1. Take a clear, well-lit photo of the printed text.
2. Open the Photo to Text tool in Safari.
3. Upload the photo and let the OCR engine read it.
4. Copy the text or download it.

Because iPhones often save images as HEIC, you may want the HEIC to Text tool, which accepts that format directly without converting it first. Uploaded files are auto-deleted after processing, and there is no sign-up.

Get a clean capture

Whichever method you pick, the source photo decides the result. Hold the phone parallel to the page, tap to focus on the text, and use even light without glare. Printed text reads best; handwriting support is limited. For more, see our tips on improving OCR accuracy and the related steps for pulling text from a screenshot.

Common questions

Why can't I select text in some photos?

Live Text struggles with blurry, angled, or low-contrast images, and with handwriting. Re-take the photo straight-on in better light, or upload it to the Photo to Text tool for a second attempt.

Does this work offline?

Live Text and the Notes scanner work on-device. An online converter needs an internet connection, but it gives you a downloadable file and consistent results across devices.

What about HEIC photos?

iPhones often shoot in HEIC. The HEIC to Text converter accepts HEIC directly, so you do not have to convert to JPG first.

Try it on your next photo

For a quick copy, Live Text is unbeatable. When you need a downloadable file or the same workflow on every device, open the Photo to Text tool in your browser, upload your shot, and grab the text. It is free, with no install and files that delete themselves after processing.