How to Copy YouTube Comments Easily on Any Device: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube comments are often packed with insights, humor, debates, or valuable feedback, but copying them is not always as straightforward as it should be.

That is where this guide comes in.

We have compiled only the best, fastest, and most effective methods to copy YouTube comments—on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and even using browser extensions. This step-by-step guide will give you exactly what you need, without wasting your time.

Let’s dive in.

How to Copy YouTube Comments on Mobile Devices

For Android Users

Method 1 – Using the Google Photos App (OCR Method)

The Google Photos app, available by default on most Android devices and downloadable from the Play Store, includes a built-in text extraction feature. This tool allows you to easily copy text like YouTube comments directly from screenshots.

• Take a screenshot of the YouTube comment you want to copy.

• Open the Google Photos app on your Android device and locate the screenshot.

• Tap to open the image, then select the “Copy text” option at the bottom (you may also see a Google Lens icon).

• Google Photos will detect the text in the image. Simply highlight the comment you want and tap the “Copy” button.

• The comment is now copied to your clipboard and ready to be pasted anywhere you need.

Method 2 – Using a Mobile Web Browser (Desktop Mode)

Unlike the YouTube app, the mobile version of the YouTube website does not restrict text selection. You can easily copy comments directly from the site by using a browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Samsung Internet.

• Open m.youtube.com on your phone using a browser like Chrome or Safari.
  
• Tap the browser menu (usually three dots) and select “Desktop site” to load the full desktop version of YouTube.
  
• Play any video and scroll down to the comments section.
  
• Long-press on the desired comment until the text is highlighted.
  
• Tap “Copy” from the pop-up menu.

Method 3 – Using the Universal Copy App

Universal Copy is a powerful third-party Android app that lets you copy text from apps that do not normally allow, like the YouTube app.

• Download “Universal Copy ” from the Google Play Store and install it on your phone
• After installation, open the app and activate the Universal Copy button located at the top of the screen.

• The app will ask you to enable its accessibility service. Tap “Open settings”, locate “Universal Copy” under Installed Services, toggle it on, and confirm your selection.

• Launch the YouTube app and go to the comment you want to copy.
• Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel. There, you’ll see an option to activate Universal Copy in either Scanner Mode or Normal Mode.

• Select Normal Mode, then wait a moment while the app scans your screen for any text it can detect.

• Tap the comment text you wish to copy, then tap the copy icon that appears.

• The selected comment will now be copied to your clipboard and is ready to paste anywhere you like.

For iOS Users (iPhone/iPad)

Method 1 – Long-Press to Copy in Browser

If you are using an iPhone or iPad, copying YouTube comments is much easier through a long-press method in a web browser rather than the app. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the YouTube app and navigate to the video containing the comment you want to copy.
2. Tap the “Share” button and select “Copy link”.
3. Open a browser like Safari or Chrome, and paste the copied link into the address bar.
4. Once the video loads, tap the browser menu and request the desktop site for full functionality.
5. Scroll down to the comments section, then long-press on the desired comment.
6. Tap “Copy” from the pop-up menu when the text is highlighted.

Method 2 – Screenshot + Live Text (iOS 15+)

While the YouTube app does not allow direct copying of comments, iPhones running iOS 15 or later offer a simple workaround using the built-in Live Text OCR feature in the Photos app.

Just follow these steps:

1. Open the YouTube app and navigate to the video containing the comment you want to copy.
2. Take a screenshot by pressing the Side Button and the Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Open the Photos app and locate the screenshot.
4. Tap the Live Text icon (or press and hold on the comment text) to activate text selection.
5. Drag the selection handles to highlight the entire comment, then tap “Copy” from the pop-up menu.
6. Take a screenshot of the comment
7. Open it in Photos and tap the “Live Text” icon
8. Copy text directly from the image

How to Copy YouTube Comments on Desktop (Windows and Mac)

Method 1 – Standard Copy-Paste

The simplest way to copy a YouTube comment on a desktop is by using your browser’s built-in copy function. Whether you are saving a thoughtful insight or quoting a comment for later use, this method is quick and effective.

Here is how to do it:

1. Open the YouTube video in your preferred web browser.
   
2. Scroll down to the comments section below the video.
   
3. Browse through the comments and find the one you want to copy.

4. Click and drag your mouse over the text of the comment to highlight it.
   
5. Right-click the selected text and choose “Copy”, or use the keyboard shortcut:
   
   • Ctrl + C (Windows)
     
   • Cmd + C (Mac)
     
6. To paste the comment, right-click and select “Paste” or use Ctrl + V / Cmd + V in your desired app or document.

Method 2 – Using Chrome Extension: Selectext

Selectext is a handy Chrome extension that lets you copy text directly from videos, subtitles, and on-screen content, including YouTube comments that may otherwise be hard to select.

Follow these steps to install and use Selectext:

• In your Chrome browser, search for “Selectext Chrome addon”

• Click on the extension titled “Selectext”, then hit the “Add to Chrome” button.

• Confirm the installation by clicking “Add Extension” when prompted.
  
• Once installed, the Selectext icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar.
  
• Now, open the YouTube video with the comment or text you want to copy and pause the video.

• Click the Selectext icon in your toolbar to activate it.
  
• Your cursor will change. Then you click and drag over any visible text on the screen, including comments or captions.
  
• The selected text will be automatically copied to your clipboard.

Method 3 – Using Chrome Extension: Copy Text from Videos

This extension works similarly to Selectext but may offer a different interface or detection method, depending on the video layout.

Steps:

1. Search for “Copy Text from Videos Chrome addon”

2. Click “Add to Chrome”, then confirm by selecting “Add Extension”.

3. Open the YouTube video you want to copy from and pause it.

4. Click the extension’s icon in the toolbar to activate it.
5. Click and drag to select any visible text on the screen (e.g., comments, subtitles).
6. The selected text is immediately copied to your clipboard.

Conclusion 

Copying YouTube comments is easy once you know the right method. This guide covered quick and effective ways to copy YouTube comments across Android, iOS, and desktop browsers, and with helpful Chrome extensions, making it easy no matter what device you are using.

FAQs 

What is the safest way to copy a YouTube comment?

Using the standard copy-paste method on a desktop browser is the safest and easiest way.

Do I need an extension to copy comments from YouTube videos?

No, but extensions can help if direct copy-paste isn’t working or if you’re copying from overlays or subtitles.

Is it legal to copy and share YouTube comments?

Yes, it is generally legal for personal use or reference, but you have to avoid misusing or misrepresenting the content.