We frequently encounter circumstances where text extraction from images becomes necessary. We must rely on OCR programmes like Google Lens to complete tasks like rapid web searches, exchanging specific information, and digitising items like phone numbers and emails. While using a third-party OCR tool to complete the task is acceptable, having a native solution is always preferable. And it’s for that reason alone that iOS 15’s Live Text has become a fan favourite. Read on to find out more about Live Text and how to use it in iOS 15 for iPhone and iPad if you want to try out this new feature.
Use Live Text in iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad (2021)
Here, we not only describe how the Live Text feature in iOS 15 operates but also show you how to use it using a variety of apps, such as the camera app, the Photos app, and more. So let’s get started!
What is Live Text in iOS 15 and How It Works?
Live Text is a prime example of how Apple cleverly draws ideas from other products and creates something that is more effective and tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem. AirPods didn’t take long to provide a solution in the truly wireless headphones market, just like Night Mode on the iPhone 11 series did, despite arriving late to the party. The Cupertino company is renowned for coming from behind and introducing a more appealing replacement for an existing app or function. Additionally, Live Text carries over all of Apple’s distinctive qualities.
Google Lens has long been a top-notch tool for identifying objects and animals as well as extracting text from images. But unlike Live Text in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and even macOS Monterey, it isn’t as interwoven into the Android experience. Similar to Google Lens, the Live Text function makes it simple to extract text from photographs or nearly anything in your environment. Simply aim your camera at any object to retrieve information such as a phone number, email address, Apple Maps directions, and more.
The built-in Photos and Camera apps, as well as other programmes like Safari, Messages, WhatsApp, and others, all support Live Text. Additionally, you can use it from Spotlight to swiftly search for anything that catches your attention. More specifically, any text input area on your iPhone and iPad can start Live Text. This makes Live Text in iOs 15 one of the best OCR (Optical Character Recognition) powered features available.
Live Text Supported iPhones and iPads
Unfortunately, not all iPhones and iPads that are compatible with iOS 15 support Live Text. To use this function, you must have an iOS device that is compatible.
The following list of iPhone models that support live text:
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone Xs Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 2
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
The following is a list of iPad models that support live text:
- iPad Pro 2018
- iPad Pro 2020
- iPad Pro 2021
- iPad 8th-gen
- iPad Air 3
- iPad Air 4
Note:Live Text also works with the new 24-inch iMac 2021 and the MacBook Air with M1, MacBook Pro with M1, Mac Mini with M1, and M1.
Live Text Supported Languages
Live Text in iOS 15 currently supports English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Chinese in addition to seven more languages. In the upcoming months, Apple is anticipated to add compatibility for more languages.
How to Use Live Text in iOS 15
Method 1: Use Live Text in Camera App on iPhone and iPad
On iOS 15, Live Text is skillfully incorporated into the default camera app. As a result, you may check up, copy, distribute, or translate anything you come across with the greatest of ease.
1. Open the Camera app on your phone or tablet and point it at a picture or piece of text. The Live Text icon can then be found and selected. Keep in mind that the Live Text icon appears in the bottom left corner of the landscape orientation and the bottom right corner of the portrait orientation.
2. At this point, Live Text will identify the text in the picture. Then, choose the desired text and choose from one of the following options:
- Copy: Tap it to copy the selected text.
- Select All: Tap it to select all the extracted text.
- Look Up: Tap it to find out the meaning of the selected word or search on the web.
- Translate: Tap it to translate the selected text.
- Share: Tap it to share the extracted text via email, iMessage, or any other app. You can also save the text in the Files app.
It’s important to note that when you tap on a phone number, a new context menu with numerous options, including FaceTime, sending a message, adding the number to your contacts, and copying, will emerge. Similar to this, you may email immediately if you tap on an email address.
Method 2: Use Live Text in Photos App on iPhone and iPad
In the Photos app, Live Text functions just as well. As a result, you may easily extract text from any image (even screenshots) that you come across. The steps are as follows:
1. Start your iPhone or iPad’s Photos app. Next, find the image from which you wish to extract the text.
2. Next, hit the little Live Text symbol in the bottom right corner of the screen, which resembles a square viewfinder with three lines. All of the text that is present in the image will be instantaneously recognised by Live Text.
3. After that, choose the text that you wish to copy, distribute, check up, or translate.
Method 3: Use Live Text to Recognize Handwriting in iOS 15
When it comes to extracting text from a handwritten letter, live text is just as effective. Live Text OCR can be quite helpful if you want to digitise your notes so they are safe and accessible on all of your devices.
On your iOS 15 device, simply open the camera app. The viewfinder should then appear enclosing the scribbled note. The handwriting will then be converted into text when you hit the Live Text button. Select the text after that, and then take the necessary action.
Use Live Text Inside Apps Like Apple Messages and WhatsApp in iOS 15
Think about a conversation you are having with a friend or coworker. Suddenly, you need to share the text you extracted from a picture. Wouldn’t you want to complete everything without having to leave the ongoing conversation? Of course you would. That flexibility provided by iOS 15’s ability to launch Live Text from a chat app.
Launch a messaging programme, such as Apple Messages. Tap and hold the text input field after that. Then select Text from Camera from the menu. Now, without ever leaving the messaging app, utilise the camera app on your iPhone or iPad to extract the text from an image and send it. Very cool, don’t you think?
Use Live Text in Spotlight Search on iOS 15
You can use Live Text on iOS 15 thanks to one of the many intriguing techniques Spotlight has up its sleeve. To access the function, swipe down from the home screen’s centre to display Spotlight Search. Next, tap the text input field and choose Text from Camera from the menu. Do the necessary things as described in the steps above.
Use Live Text to Search in Safari on iOS 15
A clever OCR tool that is constantly available within a browser makes it possible to utilise it to recognise text and begin the search right away. Therefore, remember to use Safari on iOS 15’s Live Text OCR feature the next time anything piques your curiosity.
To utilise it, tap and hold the text box in the search bar, then choose Text from Camera. Now, carry out the procedures outlined above to extract text from a picture or physical object and begin a short search.
Check File Size of the Selected Live Text Before Sharing
It’s interesting to note that before sharing, iOS 15 also allows you to view the selected text’s file size. It might be useful when you want the selected text’s file size to be as small as possible for easy sharing.
- Once you have used the Live Text feature to recognize text on your iPhone or iPad, select the text you want to share. Then, tap on the Share button in the pop-up context menu.
2. Next, select the iOS 15 Share sheet’s ShowFile Size option. Voila! The file size of the selected text will be displayed right away at the top of the screen.
Translate Selected Text Offline Using Live Text in iOS 15
Notably, you can translate a portion of the text offline. Save it for times when your iOS 15 smartphone is not online but you still want Live Text to function smoothly and without any interruptions. Remember that offline translations might not be as exact as translations done online.
Make sure that device translation is enabled before you begin. Make sure you’ve downloaded the languages you wish to translate as well.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS 15 device. After that, scroll down and move to Translate .
2. Now, turn on the toggle next to theOn-Device Modeoption.
3. Also, make sure to download the languages you want to translate. We have listed the supported languages at the start of this article. Next, tapDownloaded Languagesand download the preferred languages so that they are available offline.
4. That s it! From now onwards, you will be able to translate languages even when your iPhone or iPad is not connected to the Internet.
Apple Live Text Vs Google Lens: Which is Better?
While Google Lens has been around for several years, Apple s Live Text feature has just hit the ground. So, in terms of experience, Google s offering takes the cake. Not only that, Google Lens also has an upper hand when it comes to universal compatibility.
Unfortunately, that s not the case with Live Text as it s integrated into iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. Another department where Lens is ahead of the curve is translation support for a whopping 103 languages as opposed to Live Text s compatibility with seven languages.
But what tilts the tide in favor of Live Text is the unmatched system-wide integration into the Apple ecosystem. And that is likely to get even better with time. That leaves us to the final frontier: Efficiency. To ward off the temptation of a surefire conclusion, I would direct you toAkshay s in-depth comparison between Apple Live Text and Google Lens.
Tips to Use Live Text on iPhone and iPad Like a Pro
That s all about Live Text in iOS 15! Even though iOS 15 is still a work in progress, Live Text works quite reliably. And by the time Apple eventually rolls out the latest iteration of iOS this fall, it should become even better. Google Lens may have years of expertise under its belt, but Apple s Live Text seems to have a clear edge in ease of use and intuitiveness at least for now. By the way, what s your take on Live Text in iOS 15? Share your thoughts on the coolest iOS 15 features, includingFocus mode,ability to drag and drop files across apps in iOS 15,FaceTime calls to Android,Apple Digital Legacy, and more.
