How to Copy Text from Videos in iOS 16

Apple introduced the ability to extract text from paused video frames in iOS 16 using an upgraded version of its Live Text feature. Users can pause a video in supported apps, select any legible text visible on the screen, copy it to the clipboard, and paste it directly into Apple Notes or any other text-based application. This guide outlines the device requirements and step-by-step instructions for copying text from video frames on an iPhone running iOS 16.

System Requirements

To use Live Text in video frames, your device must meet the following hardware and software criteria:

  • Operating System: iOS 16 or later.
  • Hardware: An iPhone equipped with an A12 Bionic chip or newer. This includes the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later).
  • Settings Configuration: Live Text must be enabled. Verify this by going to Settings > General > Language & Region and toggling on Live Text.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open the Video: Launch the video containing the text you want to capture. This feature works across native iOS apps, including Photos, Safari, Files, and QuickTime, as well as compatible third-party video players.
  2. Pause the Video: Navigate to the exact timestamp where the text appears clearly and pause playback.
  3. Select the Text: Tap and hold directly on the text within the video frame to highlight it using selection handles. Alternatively, tap the Live Text icon (a small square with lines of text inside) located in the bottom-right corner of the video player to highlight all detected text automatically.
  4. Copy the Text: From the pop-up context menu, tap Copy.
  5. Paste into Notes: Open the Notes app, create a new note or open an existing one, tap the cursor location, and select Paste.

Limitations and Considerations

While Live Text in video is versatile, it has a few practical constraints:

  • Protected Content: Streaming services that use Digital Rights Management (DRM)—such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu—block screen capture capabilities, which prevents Live Text from interacting with video frames.
  • Image Quality: The feature relies on optical character recognition (OCR). Motion blur, low resolution, extreme angles, or stylized fonts may affect the accuracy of text recognition.