What is Live Text in a Video and How It Works?
To put it straight, Live Text is Apple’s answer to Google Lens. Powered by OCR ( stands for Optical Character Recognition) technology, it used to support only images in iOS 15. With iOS 16, it also works with videos. Hence, you can now use it to copy text from both images and videos.
What iPhone and iPad Models Support Live Text in a Video?
Bear in mind that not all iOS 16 compatible devices support Live Text in videos. Therefore, make sure to first ensure that your device is compatible with this feature. The following iPhone models support Live Text in videos:
iPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxiPhone 11iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro MaxiPhone 12iPhone 12 miniiPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 13 iPhone 13 miniiPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone SE 2nd generation and 3rd generation
The Following iPad models support Live Text in Videos:
iPad Pro 2020 or later iPad Air 2019 or later iPad mini 5th generation or lateriPad 2020 or later
Which Apps Support Live Text in a Video?
Since iOS 16 is still a work in progress, there are not too many apps that support Live Text in a Video feature. However, you should expect a large number of apps to support this feature soon as Apple has released the API to let developers to make their apps compatible. Hence, you may be able to able to use this OCR-powered feature in apps like YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, and other apps before long.
Extract Text from Video on iPhone and iPad
- First off, open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Now, find the video which text you would like to copy and then play the video.
- Next, you need to pause the video exactly where you would like to copy the text.
- Next up, tap on the Live Text icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- If you would like to copy the entire text at once, hit the Copy All button at the bottom and then paste the text to the desired location.
- However, if you wish to copy selected text, touch and hold on the text to bring up the text selector tool. Then, you can use the handle of the text selector tool to select the desired text. Right above the text selected text, a popup window will appear with multiple options like
CopyLook UpTranslateShare
Now, if you want to copy the text to the clipboard and paste it in a note or elsewhere, tap on Copy and then do the needful. To share the text, tap on Share and then choose the desired app in the share sheet. Note that you may need to tap on the tiny arrow at the far right of the window to reveal other options like Share (take a look at the screenshot above.) It’s worth pointing out that if the Live Text recognizes any phone number or currency in the text, it will suggest you to make a reminder.
Use Live Text in a Video Via Safari on iPhone and iPad
Live Text also works with Safari videos.
- To get started, open Safari on your device and head over to the video, and play it as usual.
- Now, pause the video where you want to copy the text.
- If the video is in Portrait mode, tap the three-dot icon and choose Show Text. And if the video is in the landscape mode, tap the Live Text or Show Text icon.
- Finally, tap on Copy All to copy the selected text.
- Once you have copied the text to the clipboard, sharing or saving the extracted text becomes dead simple. Read more: How to Lock Photos with Face ID or Touch ID on iPhone in iOS 16
Does Live Text in a Video Support Third Part Apps?
Yes, Live Text in a Video also works with third-party apps. As stated above, it is up to the developers to implement the API in their apps.
Is There Any Way to Get Live Text in a Video in iOS 15?
No, there is no way to get the Live Text in a Video feature in iOS 15. Though there is a pretty reliable workaround that can get the job done. Simply, pause the video and capture the screenshot of the text. After that, you can use the Live Text to extract the text from the screenshot.
My Thoughts…
Based on my testing, I can say that Live Text in a Video is a great addition to iOS. Though it is currently limited to a handful of apps, once third-party apps also become compatible, it will be able to realize its full potential. By the way, what is your take on this brand new iOS 16 feature? Make sure to share your feedback with us. And if you have could not catch up with some of the notable posts recently, I would recommend you to check out the guides for Lockdown Mode, the ability to bypass CAPTCHAs, customize Lock Screen, and the tips to improve iOS 16 battery life.
