To copy text from iPhone, tap and hold, adjust the blue handles, tap Copy, then tap and hold where you want and choose Paste.
New to iPhone or just tired of retyping? This guide shows quick, reliable ways to grab words from apps, web pages, photos, and even other Apple devices. Each method is short, practical, and works with the stock keyboard and common apps.
How To Copy Text From iPhone — Quick Methods That Work
Here are fast routes that cover everyday tasks. Pick the one that fits the moment. You’ll see when to use gestures, menus, drag and drop, and cross-device tricks.
| Method | Where It Works | Quick Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Tap & Hold Selection | Most apps with editable or selectable text | Tap and hold a word, drag blue handles, tap Copy, then paste in another field. |
| Three-Finger Gestures | System-wide in text fields | Pinch with three fingers to copy, pinch again to cut, spread three fingers to paste. |
| Context Menu | Safari, Mail, Notes, Messages, many others | After selecting, use the floating toolbar for Copy, Cut, Paste, or Select All. |
| External Keyboard | When a Bluetooth/Magic Keyboard is connected | Use ⌘C to copy and ⌘V to paste after selecting text with Shift+Arrow. |
| Drag & Drop | Between fields or supported apps | Select text, touch and hold until it lifts, drag to the target app or field, then release. |
| Live Text | Camera, Photos, Safari images | Tap the Live Text button on an image, select the text overlay, then copy. |
| Universal Clipboard | Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac | Copy on one device, switch to the other, then paste within a short window. |
| Share Sheet “Copy” | Safari, Files, and apps that expose text links | Open the Share menu, choose Copy for a link or selected content. |
Master The Basics Fast
Make A Clean Selection
Tap and hold a word. Two blue handles appear. Drag them to include only what you need. A toolbar floats above the selection with options like Copy, Cut, and Select All. In long articles, double-tap a word, then slide a handle with your thumb for speed. If you came here for how to copy text from iPhone, start with this flow every time.
Copy With Gestures
Gestures save taps once they’re in your muscle memory. Pinch in with three fingers to copy the current selection. Pinch in twice to cut. To paste, place the cursor where you want the text, then spread three fingers. You’ll see a small banner that confirms the action. For a step-by-step refresher with illustrations, check Apple’s page on Select and edit text.
Paste Like A Pro
Find the target field, tap to place the cursor, then tap and hold. Choose Paste from the menu. If the app supports rich text, formatting may carry over. Need plain text? Paste into Notes first, then copy again to strip styling. This also helps when a web page inserts tracking links into your paste.
Cursor Control For Pinpoint Edits
Press and hold the spacebar to turn the keyboard into a trackpad. Slide your thumb to park the cursor inside a word. This trick pairs well with Shift+tap to expand a selection when you’re working with dense lines.
How To Copy Text From iPhone — Live Text And Photos
Text in an image counts too. With Live Text, your iPhone recognizes words in a photo, screenshot, or video frame. Open the picture, tap the Live Text icon, then drag to select and copy. In the Camera app, point at a sign or paper; when the icon appears, tap it and copy right away. Apple’s guide to copy text from photos lists supported models and steps.
Grab Text From Screenshots
Open the screenshot in Photos, tap the Live Text icon, then press and hold on the words you need. This works well for two-factor codes, receipts, or slides from class. It also helps when a site blocks selection; a quick screenshot gives you selectable text via Live Text.
Translate Or Call From Detected Text
Live Text can spot phone numbers, emails, and addresses. You can copy them, or tap quick actions to start a call or map route. When you only want the raw text, choose the standard selection handles and copy. If you need a full block, use Select All inside the image overlay.
Copy Between Devices With Universal Clipboard
Work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac without sending yourself messages. Copy on one device and paste on the other within a short time frame. Make sure all devices are signed in to the same Apple ID, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on, and Handoff enabled. Keep them near each other for best results. Apple explains setup on its Universal Clipboard page.
Reliable Cross-Device Steps
- On iPhone, copy the text as usual.
- Switch to your Mac or iPad.
- Place the cursor in a text field and press ⌘V or tap and hold > Paste.
If paste doesn’t work, wait a second and try again. The clipboard syncs for a brief window, and large items can take an extra beat. Another fast route for how to copy text from iPhone across devices is to drag and drop between split-view apps on iPad when that screen mode suits your task.
Drag And Drop Text Between Apps
When an app supports it, drag and drop feels natural. Select the text, then touch and hold until it lifts under your finger. Keep holding while you swipe up to the Home bar with another finger to switch apps. Drop the floating text into a field and release. It’s handy for moving quotes into Notes, or addresses into Maps. If the text won’t lift, the app may not allow it; copy to Notes, then move it from there.
Speed Moves With A Hardware Keyboard
Typing on a physical keyboard? You can select text with Shift and arrow keys, then press ⌘C to copy and ⌘V to paste. Many writers keep one hand on the keys and the other guiding the selection on screen for fine control. Shortcuts work in most editing apps, and ⌘Z still handles Undo.
Privacy And Safety Notes
Some apps ask for permission to paste. That prompt helps you control where your clipboard goes. If an app requests paste access when you didn’t attempt it, cancel and review its settings. Also, content copied on Universal Clipboard lands on nearby signed-in devices; avoid copying passwords on shared hardware. For sensitive strings, consider using a password manager’s share features instead of the system clipboard.
Troubleshooting Copy And Paste
Something not working? Use the checks below before you restart or update.
| Problem | What To Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No Paste Option | You tapped once instead of tap-and-hold | Press and hold the field, then choose Paste. |
| Handles Won’t Appear | Text isn’t selectable | Try Reader in Safari, switch apps, or grab it with Live Text. |
| Wrong Section Selected | Handles too close to edges | Zoom in, then drag handles slowly for precision. |
| Weird Formatting | Rich text carries styles | Paste into Notes to strip styles, then copy again. |
| Universal Clipboard Fails | Devices not on same Apple ID or Handoff off | Sign in on all devices, enable Handoff, keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on. |
| Drag And Drop Won’t Stick | Target app lacks support | Drop into Notes first, then copy from there. |
| Accidental Deletion | Undo needed | Swipe left with three fingers for Undo, or press ⌘Z on a keyboard. |
Pro Tips That Save Time
Use Select All For Big Blocks
In a note or document, tap the selection, then choose Select All. Copy once and paste where needed. It’s faster than dragging handles across a long page. When the text crosses multiple sections, paste into Notes first, clean it up, then move it to your final app.
Strip Links And Styles
Some apps paste links along with the text. If you only want plain words, paste into a fresh note, then copy again. Many editors treat Notes as a clean middle step. This keeps your destination file tidy and avoids odd fonts or blue link styling.
Keep A Scratch Pad
Keep a “Clipboard” note pinned in Notes. When you copy bits through the day—order numbers, meeting IDs, quotes—drop them there. You’ll spend less time hunting later. If you prefer folders, make a small “Temp” folder in Notes for short-term clippings.
Use Dictation When Text Isn’t Selectable
When a page blocks selection, tap the mic key on the keyboard and speak the line into a note, then edit. It’s a handy detour when copy is disabled. It also helps when an image is too low-resolution for Live Text to read cleanly.
Know Clipboard Timing
On Universal Clipboard, copied content stays available for a brief period. If your paste lands as the old item, copy again and try once more. Large blocks or images can take a second to sync. Keep devices nearby and awake for best results.
How To Copy Text From iPhone — When Apps Behave Differently
Not every app treats text the same way. Browsers can show reader-friendly views that allow selection when a page blocks it. Chat apps might limit copying names or timestamps. Files in PDF form can be scanned images, so Live Text is your friend there. When nothing works, grab a screenshot and copy from the image.
One-Minute Setup Checklist For Smooth Copying
- Stay signed in with the same Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff for cross-device paste.
- Learn the three-finger copy/paste gestures.
- Add the mic key to your keyboard row if you removed it.
- Pair a hardware keyboard if you write a lot on iPhone.
Why This Works
These steps match the built-in behaviors on iPhone and the way Apple designed selection, gestures, Live Text, and Universal Clipboard. Use the basic press-and-hold flow first. Then add Live Text and cross-device paste for the edge cases. With a few reps, copying text on iPhone feels second nature.