How to copy text from a game on Mac
Press ⌘ ⇧ 2 while the game is on screen and drag over the text, such as a quest log, an item name, a chat message or a code; it is in your clipboard when you let go. Copyable reads pixels, so it works with any game window, including games streamed from the cloud.
How to do it with Copyable
Show the text in the game
Open the menu, log or dialog with the text. Windowed modes make the shortcut easiest to reach.
Press ⌘ ⇧ 2 and drag over the text
Game fonts are often stylized, so select just the text, not the artwork around it.
Paste it
The text is in your clipboard the moment you let go, and the panel next to your selection shows it. Paste it into a chat, a wiki search or your notes.
Without Copyable
The free ways, and where they stop working. If one of them covers what you need, you don’t need an app.
A screenshot, then Preview
Press ⌘ ⌃ ⇧ 4 (Command-Control-Shift-4) and select the area to copy a screenshot to the clipboard. Open Preview, choose File → New from Clipboard and select the text with Live Text.
Where it stops: Works for anything on screen, but each capture takes several steps and leaves a Preview window to close.
Tips for games
- Plain interface text is the easy case. Pixel fonts, outlined text and text over moving effects are harder.
- Codes and serial numbers: check 0 and O, 1 and I after pasting.
- Playing in another language? On macOS 15 and later, switch to Translate to read item descriptions and dialog in your language.
Questions
Does it work with games on Steam?
Yes, with any game window on your Mac, and with cloud-streamed games in a browser or app.
Can it translate a game’s text?
Yes, on macOS 15 Sequoia and later. Switch to Translate before you drag; translation happens on your Mac.
Does it run in the background while I play?
Copyable looks at the screen only when you start a capture, then reads that one frame.
Copy text from anything on your screen
Copyable reads the text in any area you select with ⌘ ⇧ 2, on your Mac, without uploading anything. $4.99 once, plus tax where it applies. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple silicon or Intel.
Buy for $4.99