This is a quick how-to article.

And we’re writing it because we were genuinely surprised by how many students don’t realise they can do this.

We’ve seen students:

• reading from printed books
• copying text from worksheets
• typing out paragraphs manually

…when their phone can do it in seconds.

If you’ve ever typed out text from a book or handout this will save you a lot of time.

Why This Is Useful (Real Student Use Cases)

This isn’t just a “cool feature”.

Students are using this to:

• Copy quotes from textbooks into essays
• Turn printed notes into digital notes
• Paste reading material into apps like Notion or Word
• Drop text into ChatGPT to explain it in plain English
• Quickly grab definitions, formulas, or key points

It’s one of the simplest ways to speed up studying

How to Copy Text from Photos on iPhone (Live Text)

If you have an iPhone, this is built in.

No apps needed.

Option 1: Copy Text Using Your Camera (fastest)

1. Open the Camera app
2. Point it at the text (book, handout, screen, etc.)
3. Tap the Live Text icon (little lines in a box)
4. Tap and drag to select text
5. Tap Copy

You can now paste it anywhere:

• Notes
• Word
• Google Docs
• ChatGPT

Option 2: Copy Text from a Photo (more reliable)

1. Take a clear photo of the text book page, printed article, screen etc.
2. Open the Photos app
3. Open the photo with the text
4. Press and hold on the text
5. Adjust selection
6. Tap Copy

Quick Tip (Important)

• Make sure the image is clear
• Good lighting helps
• Works best with printed text (not handwriting)

Helpful YouTube video

How to Copy Text from Photos on Android (Google Lens)

On Android, this is usually done with Google Lens.

Most phones already have it built in via:

• Google Photos
• Camera app
• Google app

Option 1: From a Photo (Most Common)

1. Open Google Photos
2. Open the image
3. Tap the Lens icon
4. Tap Text
5. Highlight the text
6. Tap Copy text

Option 2: Using Your Camera

Open your Camera (or Google Lens app)

• Point at text
• Tap Lens / Text mode
• Select text
• Tap Copy

Then, same as iPhone, paste anywhere:

• Notes
• Docs
• ChatGPT

Helpful YouTube video

Best Practice (What Actually Works)

This is where most students can get more value.

1. Don’t Just Copy - Use It

Once you’ve copied text:

Do something with it

• summarise it
• turn it into flashcards
• paste into ChatGPT and ask for explanation

2. Use It for Difficult Content

Best use cases:

• textbooks
• academic articles
• dense lecture handouts

Not worth it for short notes and simple content.

3. Combine with ChatGPT (This Is Powerful)

Once copied, try prompts like:

or some simple prompts to turn it into flashcards

This is where it becomes a real study tool

4. Don’t Overuse It

Copying everything ≠ learning.

Use it to:

• speed up input
• not replace thinking

The Bigger Point

You don’t need paid apps, complex tools, extra subscriptions

Your phone already does this.

And most students aren’t using it.

Final Takeaway

If you’re still typing text from books and manually copying handouts...

stop

Use your phone.

Copy it in seconds.

And spend that time actually learning instead.

Related articles:

Don’t Pay for AI Lecture Note-Taking Apps

Free Apps Every Student Should Be Using in 2026 (useful Vs hype)

Don’t Just Take Notes. Turn Them Into Revision Flashcards (Using ChatGPT + Quizlet)

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