Copy Unselectable Text
SnapCopy extracts text from images, grabs text from screenshots, and pulls text from videos directly to your clipboard. Stop retyping information from Zoom presentations or video tutorials.
macOS Text Extractor
Copy Text From Any Screen on Your Mac.
Instantly.
SnapCopy is a fully offline macOS app that extracts text from images, videos, PDFs, and locked documents. Press a hotkey, select a region, and copy what's unselectable.
You know the feeling. You’re watching a coding tutorial, attending a webinar, or reading a locked PDF, and you need to copy a snippet of text or code. But you can't.
The text is trapped inside an image or a video. You're forced to manually retype URLs, complex code blocks, or addresses, breaking your focus and wasting your valuable time. Generic OCR tools require you to upload your screenshots to the cloud, putting your sensitive data at risk.
The Solution
SnapCopy is a native macOS text extractor that lets you copy text from anywhere on your screen securely. Press your custom hotkey, drag to select a region, and SnapCopy instantly turns visible screen text into clean, copied text on your clipboard. Whether the text is inside a YouTube video, a restricted website, a terminal window, or a presentation, SnapCopy grabs it locally so you can reuse it or act on it immediately.
Features
Every piece of text,
a doorway to action.
SnapCopy extracts what it sees and surfaces the right tool — no manual selection, no copy-paste chains.
Open URLs and Addresses
SnapCopy detects useful content like URLs and physical addresses within your screen selection. Instantly open links directly in your browser or launch Apple Maps.
Compose Emails
Recognizes email addresses embedded in images or unselectable text. With one click, extract the address and instantly compose a new email using your default mail client.
Scan QR Codes & Barcodes
Acts as a native QR code and barcode scanner for your Mac display. Hover over any QR code in a video or website, and the app instantly decodes the link without your phone.
Extract & Format JSON
Reads raw JSON data from tutorial videos, images, or unformatted text blocks and formats it perfectly. Extract code snippets from visual media and paste clean JSON.
Pick Colors & WCAG Contrast
Includes a built-in screen color picker and WCAG contrast checker. Instantly grab HEX values from any application and verify text legibility without opening design tools.
Built for speed
Who uses SnapCopy?
Developers
Extract terminal commands, JSON blocks, or code snippets directly from YouTube tutorials and webinars without retyping.
Designers
Pick colors and check WCAG contrast ratios from reference screenshots and moodboards effortlessly.
Students
Copy notes, formulas, and references from locked PDFs, protected slides, or recorded lectures.
Researchers
Capture URLs, emails, and citations from websites and web applications where right-clicking is disabled.
Privacy Guarantee
100% Offline.
Your Data Never Leaves Your Mac.
SnapCopy processes all OCR, text recognition, and image analysis locally on-device. No cloud processing, no accounts required, no tracking. We built a secure tool for sensitive data, not a data collection pipeline.
Alternatives
How SnapCopy Compares
SnapCopy is built specifically for power users, developers, and privacy-conscious professionals who need rapid text extraction without the bloat.
- Best for users who want: Instant keyboard shortcuts, fully offline on-device processing, and developer-focused smart actions like JSON formatting and color picking.
- Not ideal for users who need: Cloud syncing across non-Apple devices or heavy, multi-page document management features.
- Different from generic tools because: Unlike web-based OCR tools or complex subscription apps, SnapCopy is a focused, one-time purchase utility that prioritizes speed and absolute data privacy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SnapCopy?
SnapCopy is a native macOS utility that lets you extract and copy text from any screen, including images, videos, and locked PDFs, using a simple keyboard shortcut.
Does SnapCopy require an internet connection?
No, SnapCopy is completely offline. All text recognition, OCR, QR scanning, and smart content detection happen locally on your Mac device to protect your privacy.
Can I extract code from a video tutorial?
Yes, you can extract text from videos. Simply pause the video, trigger SnapCopy, select the code block, and the text is copied to your clipboard instantly.
Does SnapCopy save or upload my screenshots?
No, SnapCopy does not save, upload, or track your screenshots. The screen selection is processed temporarily in memory to extract text and is immediately discarded.
How is SnapCopy different from Apple's Live Text?
While Live Text works well inside specific supported Apple apps, SnapCopy works globally across your entire screen, inside any application or restricted website, and adds developer-focused smart actions like JSON formatting and WCAG contrast checking.
Is SnapCopy a subscription app?
No, SnapCopy is a one-time purchase. There are no recurring fees, no analytics, and no hidden subscription costs.
Can I extract text from a locked PDF or protected website?
Yes. Because SnapCopy uses local screen capture and on-device OCR, it can extract unselectable text from any locked PDF, protected document, or website that has disabled copying.
Does SnapCopy work as a clipboard manager?
No. SnapCopy is a dedicated macOS text extractor, not a full clipboard manager. It extracts text from your screen and places the result onto your system clipboard so you can paste it immediately, but it does not store a history of your copied items.
Is SnapCopy truly private and offline?
Absolutely. SnapCopy runs 100% offline, performing all image text extraction locally on your Mac. No data is ever sent to the cloud, ensuring your private information stays private.
Get started
Your screen,
unlocked.
Download SnapCopy and start acting on anything you see — in seconds.
Download on Mac App Store