Copy text from the screen with on-device OCR

Extract text from a visible region

This is useful for a short passage in an image, a paused presentation, or an application that does not offer text selection. Use a clear, enlarged view when the original text is small.

1. Press Control–Option–T, the default screen-text recognition shortcut.
2. Drag over the text and release to recognize it.
3. Review and edit the result, especially names, punctuation, numbers and code.
4. Copy the text when it is correct, or select a new region to try again.

Understand what is saved

The standalone screen-text action processes the selected pixels in memory. It does not create an image project or automatically copy the result. Choosing Copy writes text to the clipboard, where ordinary clipboard-history settings apply.

The screenshot editor also has OCR and QR-code recognition for images already open in the workspace. That path starts with an existing image and differs from the standalone action.

Improve the result

Text size, contrast, compression and unusual fonts affect recognition. Enlarge a small source and choose a focused region with readable text. Automatic language detection helps select the recognition language, but it does not guarantee every script or layout will be recognized accurately.

OCR recognizes characters; it is not a promise of exact page layout, handwriting transcription or translation. Review any extracted command or code before running it.

Questions & answers