HACKER Q&A
📣 jon_adler

Is embedded text within images now selectable (OCR?) on iOS?


I was recently on LinkedIn on my iPad where I saw a funny image/picture containing some text. I went to copy/paste the image so that I could forward onwards outside of LI. Much to my surprise, the embedded text within the image was selectable and could be copied/pasted as text. Does anyone know what is going on here?


  👤 Someone Accepted Answer ✓
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212630:

With iOS 15 and later or iPadOS 15.1 and later, you can use Live Text to copy text in photos, translate languages, make a call, and more.

Use Live Text to get information from photos and images Live Text recognizes information within your photos and online images, so you can make a call, send an email, or look up directions with a tap. You can also use Live Text in the Camera app or when using Camera in apps like Notes or Reminders — point your camera at a photo or image with text, then tap the Live Text button

(Only works on supported = relatively new devices, AFAIK complete on-device)