With the iPhone’s Markup tool you can draw on iPhone photos to add notes, highlights, or creative touches directly in the Photos app.
How to draw on iPhone photos using Markup
Follow these steps to open Markup, choose tools, and save your annotated picture for sharing or personal reference.
- Tap the Photos app from your Home screen.
- Find the photo you want to edit and tap it to open.
- Tap the Edit button (three sliders) at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Markup icon (pen tip in a circle) at the top right.
- Select a drawing tool such as pencil, pen, crayon, highlighter, or brush. Swipe left or right to see more.
- Tap the color palette (dot in rainbow circle) and choose a color.
- Tap the selected tool again to adjust line thickness and drag the opacity slider as needed.
- Drag your finger across the photo to draw freehand.
- Tap the ruler tool, position or rotate it with two fingers, then draw along its edge for a straight line. Tap the ruler again to hide it.
- Tap the selection tool (striped stylus), draw around a part of your drawing, then drag to move it. Use the edit menu to change color, duplicate, or delete.
- Tap the + button to insert text, signature, shapes, stickers, an image description, or a loupe magnifier.
- Tap the blue checkmark (✓) to save, then tap Done to leave the Edit menu.
- To undo later, reopen the photo, tap Edit, choose Revert, and confirm Revert to Original.
Pro tip: Use the ruler tool with two fingers to quickly rotate it for diagonal lines, then draw for precise geometry.
Markup lets you annotate images without leaving the Photos app, making it easy to highlight important details, correct mistakes, or add personal notes before sharing.
These quick edits improve communication, enhance accessibility with image descriptions, and unlock creative possibilities for everyday photos.
