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How to interact with text in an image in Preview on iPhone

You can use Live Text in the Preview app to copy or translate text within an image, make a call, open a website, or start an email. It all starts with selecting the text. From there, you can also look up the meaning of text, or search the web for it.

A photo of a real estate sign, with the phone number highlighted. The phone number appears in the menu above the Call, Message, Add to Contacts, and Copy options.

  1. Start the Preview app on your iPhone.
  2. Open an image that shows text and then select the text.
  3. Do any of the following:

    • Copy text: Tap Copy. You can then paste the text into another document or app.
    • Look up the meaning of text: Tap Look Up.
    • Translate text: Tap Translate and choose a language.

      Note: Translation isn’t available in all languages and may not be available in some countries or regions.

    • Search the web for the text: Tap the Forward button and tap Search Web.
    • Call or text a phone number: Tap Call or Message. (You may need to tap the Forward button to see all options.)
    • Save a phone number or email address: Tap the Forward button and then tap Add to Contacts.
    • Send an email or message to an email address: Tap Email or Message. (You may need to tap the Forward button to see all options.)
    • Go to a website: Tap Open Link. (You may need to tap the Forward button to see the option.)
Tag: Preview