How to Track a Shipment with Live Text in iOS 16

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

iOS 16 introduced one feature in particular that I never knew I needed. While bringing us hidden yet game-changing features is what Apple does best, I'm super excited to share with you a tip I already can't stop using: tracking shipments with Live Text. I'm super excited about this new feature; let me show you why!

Related: Now Siri Can Enable Auto Answer iPhone in iOS 16

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Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Get the option to track your shipment immediately by highlighting the tracking number on a photo with Live Text.
  • Use Live Text in the Camera app to highlight a tracking number and automatically be provided with the option to track it

How to Use Live Text to Track a Shipment

Live Text, a software feature introduced by Apple back in 2021 with iOS 15, is essentially word-reading software. It can read handwriting, documents, and more in the photos you take. You can use Live Text while using the Camera app or after the photo has been taken. If you like tips about how to use your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day! Here's how to use Live Text to track a shipment through a photo.

  1. If someone has sent you an image or a photo with a tracking number in it, start by pulling up the photo in the Photos app.

    If someone has sent you an image or a photo with a tracking number in it, start by pulling up the photo in the Photos app.
  2. After you've pulled up the image with the tracking number, tap the Live Text button in the bottom right corner.

    After you've pulled up the image with the tracking number, tap the Live Text button in the bottom right corner.
  3. Often, the Track Shipment button will appear automatically. If it does not appear, tap the part of the image where the tracking number is located.

    Often, the Track Shipment button will appear automatically. If it does not appear, tap the part of the image where the tracking number is located.
  4. Tap Track Shipment

    Tap Track Shipment. 
  5. Your default browser will automatically open to the appropriate parcel carrier with your corresponding shipment information. 

    Your default browser will automatically open to the appropriate parcel carrier with your corresponding shipment information. 

And that's how you track a shipment from a photo with Live Text! Now, to track a shipment with the Camera app:

  1. Open the Camera app.

    Open the Camera app.
  2. Point your viewfinder at an image of the tracking number for your package and tap the Live Text button.

    Point your viewfinder at an image of the tracking number for your package.
  3. If the image and writing are clear, the Track Shipment button will automatically appear. 

    If the image and writing is clear, the Track Shipment button will automatically appear. 
  4. Your default browser will automatically open to the appropriate parcel carrier with your corresponding shipment information. 

    Your default browser will automatically open to the appropriate parcel carrier with your corresponding shipment information. 

This is a tip I am already using frequently. Hopefully, this doesn't fan the flames of my already out-of-control online shopping addiction! I really love how easy it is to track all the things I order so quickly.

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Author Details

Rachel Needell's picture

Author Details

Rachel Needell

Rachel Needell is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and a poet and author. With 10-plus years of experience working with Apple devices, she specializes in all-things iPad and is a Notes App expert, having worked on both the 2023 iPad Guide and the Notes App Guide. You can usually find her writing in the Daily Tip newsletter as one of our senior Tip writers. Rachel received her Master’s degree in English Literature in 2021 and her most recent work appears in the Winter ’21 edition of New Note Poetry. When she’s not obsessing about Apple products, you can find her voraciously reading fantasy books with her cat in Asheville, North Carolina.