To mark up a photo on iPhone, open the photo in the Photos app, tap Edit, tap the More button (the three dots in a circle), and then tap Markup. This opens the built-in annotation tool where you can draw, add text, or highlight directly on the image before saving or sharing it.
How to mark up a photo on iPhone in 3 steps
- Open the photo, Launch the Photos app and tap the photo you want to mark up.
- Tap Edit, then More, Tap the Edit button at the top right, then tap the More button (three dots in a circle).
- Tap Markup, Select Markup from the menu to open the annotation tools. Make your edits, then tap Done twice to save.
Another way to open Markup
You can also open Markup from the Share menu: tap the Share icon while viewing a photo, then tap Markup in the row of options.
What you can do with Markup tools
- Pen, marker, or pencil, Tap a drawing tool to write or draw with your finger. Tap the selected tool again to change line weight.
- Eraser (Pixel and Object), Tap the eraser tool, then choose Pixel Eraser to remove freehand marks or Object Eraser to remove entire annotations.
- Lasso, Tap the lasso tool to select and move any element you have added.
- Adding text, Tap Add Text to insert a text box, then adjust font, size, justification, style, or color. Use pinch gestures to resize the text after adding it.
- Adding a shape, Tap Add Shape to insert a shape, then resize or move it as needed.
- Adding a sticker, Tap Add Sticker to place a sticker on the photo and resize it.
- Adding an image description, Tap Description or Image Description to add accessibility text to the photo.
- Magnifier, Use the magnifier tool to get a closer look at specific areas of the photo.
- Ruler and protractor, Tap the '+' icon to access the ruler for drawing straight lines or the protractor for measuring angles.
How to save and share your marked-up photo
When you finish editing, tap Done to exit Markup, then tap Done again to save the changes to the photo in your Photos library. You can also share the marked-up photo directly from the editing screen by tapping the Share icon, which sends the photo with all annotations included. From the Share icon you can also print the edited photo directly from your iPhone, or export the photo with annotations as a separate file (JPEG, PNG, or PDF). If you ever want to remove your marks, open the edited photo, tap Edit, then tap Revert to return to the original.
For more advanced projects, you might turn to dedicated photo editing and collage apps, but for quick annotations directly in your camera roll, Markup is the fastest built-in option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mark up a photo without opening the Photos app?
Yes. Markup is also available in supported apps such as Messages, Notes, and Files. In those apps, tap the photo and then tap Markup from the share flow or editing menu.
Will my original photo be replaced when I save a marked-up photo?
No. When you tap Done twice, the edited version saves over the original in your Photos library, but you can tap Edit and then Revert to undo all marks and restore the original at any time.
Can I save the marked-up photo as a separate file?
Yes. Use 'Save as New Photo' to create a copy with annotations while keeping the original unedited.
Can I use an Apple Pencil with Markup on iPhone?
Yes. If you have an Apple Pencil that is compatible with your iPhone model, you can use it to draw and annotate with greater precision than using your finger.
Is there a limit to how many annotations I can add to one photo?
You can add multiple drawings, text boxes, shapes, and stickers without a stated cap.
Can I mark up a photo on an Android phone?
Yes. Google Photos on Android includes a Markup option in its edit tools for adding freehand writing or text, though the exact steps may differ from the iPhone workflow.
