iOS 27: Live Text Selection Disappeared in Quick Look in the Files App – How to Fix It

Apple’s Live Text feature makes it easy to recognise, select, copy and interact with text directly from images. However, some iPhone users have reported an issue after updating to iOS 27, where Live Text stops working in Quick Look within the Files app.

Interestingly, the same images continue to support text recognition when opened in the Photos app or Preview. This suggests that the problem may be related to Quick Look rather than Live Text itself.

What Is the Problem?

After updating to iOS 27, users have noticed that Quick Look no longer recognises text inside image files stored in the Files app.

For example:

• Open an image in the Photos app, and Live Text works normally.
• Open the same image using Preview, and text recognition works.
• Open the image through Quick Look in the Files app, and text selection is missing.
• The same issue has also been reported when viewing images through Quick Look in the Notes app.

This can be frustrating, particularly for users who regularly copy text from screenshots, scanned documents, photographs and other saved images.

Why Is Live Text Not Working in Quick Look?

The exact cause of this behaviour has not been established. However, the reports suggest that the issue may be associated with how Quick Look handles image previews in iOS 27.

Live Text and Quick Look are separate components of the iOS experience. While Live Text may continue functioning in Photos and Preview, Quick Look might fail to expose the recognised text for selection.

Possible troubleshooting factors include:

• A software bug introduced in iOS 27.
• An issue with Quick Look’s image-processing functionality.
• Incomplete system indexing following a software update.
• A temporary problem with the Files or Notes preview system.

Method 1: Disable Preview with Quick Look (Possible Fix)

One user-reported workaround has helped restore Live Text functionality for images stored in the Files app.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Locate the image file where Live Text is not working.
3. Long-press the image’s file name.
4. Wait for the context menu to appear.
5. Select Open With.
6. Uncheck Preview with Quick Look, if the option is available.
7. Reopen the image and check whether Live Text selection works.

According to the reported experience, disabling Preview with Quick Look restored normal Live Text functionality.

Note that this is a user-reported workaround, not an officially confirmed Apple fix. The available options may also vary depending on the file type and iOS version.

Method 2: Check Live Text Settings

Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, ensure that Live Text is enabled.

1. Open Settings.
2. Navigate to General.
3. Select Language & Region.
4. Find the Live Text option.
5. Turn it off and then turn it back on.
6. Restart your iPhone and test the image again.

This may help if the problem is related to a temporary settings issue.

Method 3: Restart Your iPhone

A restart can resolve temporary software glitches.

1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button.
2. Slide to power off.
3. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
4. Turn your iPhone back on.

After restarting, open the Files app and check whether text recognition is working in Quick Look.

Method 4: Wait for System Indexing to Finish

Some users have reported that Live Text behaviour remains inconsistent after updating iOS, particularly while background indexing is taking place.

After a major iOS update, allow your iPhone sufficient time to complete background processing.

You can also check whether any indexing-related messages remain under Settings.

However, waiting for indexing to finish may not resolve the issue. One user reported that indexing had completed, but Live Text was still not working in Quick Look in either Files or Notes.

Method 5: Use Preview as a Temporary Alternative

If Live Text works in Preview but not in Quick Look, you can use Preview to access and copy text from images.

However, Preview may not be an ideal replacement for everyone.

One reported limitation is that users cannot swipe between multiple images in Preview in the same way they can when browsing images through Quick Look.

This makes it less convenient for people who regularly work with multiple screenshots or image files.

Is Apple Going to Fix This Issue?

If Live Text works correctly in Photos and Preview but fails specifically in Quick Look, the problem may require a software-level fix from Apple.

Users experiencing this issue can:

• Report the problem through Apple Support.
• Submit feedback through Apple’s official feedback website.
• Install future iOS updates when available.
• Avoid resetting their entire iPhone unless Apple Support recommends it or other troubleshooting options have been exhausted.

Apple Feedback: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why does Live Text work in Photos but not in the Files app?

Live Text can behave differently across iOS applications. If it works in Photos but not in Quick Look, the issue may be related to the Quick Look preview system rather than Live Text recognition itself.

2. Does disabling Preview with Quick Look fix Live Text?

Some users have reported that disabling Preview with Quick Look through the Open With menu restores text selection. However, this workaround may not work for everyone.

3. Is this a problem with the iPhone 17?

The reported issue is associated with iOS 27’s Quick Look behaviour. There is not enough verified information to establish that it is specific to the iPhone 17.

4. Should I reset my iPhone to fix Live Text?

A factory reset should not be your first option. Try the available workarounds, restart your device and check for software updates before considering more drastic troubleshooting.

Final Thoughts

The disappearance of Live Text selection in Quick Look can be frustrating, especially when the feature continues to work perfectly in Photos and Preview.

The most interesting workaround reported so far is disabling Preview with Quick Look through the Open With menu. If that does not help, users may need to wait for an iOS update addressing the underlying issue.

Have you experienced the same Live Text problem in iOS 27? Share your iPhone model and whether the Quick Look workaround worked for you in the comments.