How to Write on a Photo on Your iPhone: Simple Tutorial

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Add text to photos using the built-in Markup editor or a third-party app

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: October 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using the Markup Editor

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Using Third-Party Apps

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Video

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Do you want to type or draw text directly on a picture in your iPhone photo library? You can do so easily with the built-in markup tool in the Photos app! We’ll explain how to access the text tool and format your text. If you want a more sophisticated text editing tool, we’ll also recommend a few third-party apps you can try.

Quick Steps to Add Text to Photos on iPhone

Open the photo and tap the Edit icon (it looks like 3 sliders).
Tap the Markup button (it looks like a pen tip).
Tap + and select Add Text.
Double-tap the dummy text in the text box and type in what you want.
Single-tap the text box and use the menu to edit the text.
Tap and drag the text box to move it.
Tap ✓ at the top right to save your changes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Markup Editor

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The Photos icon resembles a colored pinwheel in a white box. It will be on your Home screen.^{[1]
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2
Open the photo you want to edit. Tap a photo in your Library, or select the Collections tab at the bottom of the screen to browse your albums.

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Tap the Edit button
. This is the button that looks like three sliders on the toolbar at the bottom of your screen.
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Tap the Markup button
. This is the button that looks like a pen tip inside a circle. It’s at the top right side of the screen.
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Tap +. This is to the right of the markup tools at the bottom of the screen. It will open a menu with additional options.
- If you want to add handwritten text or doodles to your photo, select one of the pen or brush icons at the bottom of the screen instead. You can change the color by tapping the icon that looks like a colored dot in the middle of a rainbow circle.
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Select Add Text. It’s about halfway down the pop-up menu.
- You can also use this pop-up menu to add other features, such as an image description (a text description to help people with visual impairments understand what’s in your image), your signature, or a sticker.
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Double-tap on the text. By default, your text box will say “Text.” Double-tap it to select the text inside. Your keyboard will open. An edit menu will also open above the text box.
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Type your text using your keyboard. Whatever you type will replace the dummy text in the box.
- You can also use the edit menu that opens above the text box to cut, copy, paste, or delete the text in the box. Tap the > icon for more editing options (such as adding bold or italic formatting to your text).
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Tap the text box again for more options. When you single-tap the text box, a menu will pop up with several editing options.
- Tap the icon that looks like a black or colored dot to select a new text color.
- Tap the Aa icon to change your font, text size, or alignment. You can also add special formatting such as bold, italics, underline, or strikethrough.
- Tap the icon that looks like two overlapping squares with a + inside to duplicate the text box.
- Tap the trash can icon to delete the text box.
- Tap ••• for more editing options. From here, you can move your text box forward or back (which is helpful if you’ve added more text boxes or other objects, like stickers) or cut, copy, paste, or duplicate the text box. You can also convert typed text to handwriting!
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Tap and drag the text box to move it. Single-tap your text box to select it, then drag it to a different part of the image. You can also tap and drag the blue “handles” on the sides of the text box to change its width.
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Tap the blue ✓ checkmark icon to save your text. It’s at the top right side of the screen. If you change your mind about adding text, tap the X at the top left instead. You can also use the back and forward arrows at the top left to undo or redo edits as you work.
- If you save the edited image and then change your mind later, don’t worry! Open the edit menu again, then tap Revert in the top right corner of the screen to change the image back to its original appearance.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Third-Party Apps

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1
Download a text on photo app from the App Store. Don’t like the built-in options that come with your iPhone’s photo editor? There are tons of apps in the App Store that let you add text to photos. Try one of these options if you want access to additional fonts and formatting tools:
- Add Text: Write on Photos: This is a free app that offers additional premium features with a subscription. It includes hundreds of fonts, allows you to add multiple text layers, and offers cool effects like shadows and 3D text.
- Phonto: This is a stylish but super-simple typography app that lets you turn your photos into professional-looking graphics with text. Not only does it offer a huge range of fonts and text effects, but it also allows you to install your own fonts from other sources. Phonto is also free with premium features that you can buy in the app.
- Canva: This app is great for users looking for a more advanced graphic design tool. Upload your photos to create posters, flyers, or graphics optimized for a variety of social media platforms. You can add text, shapes, graphics, and all kinds of other elements to your photos with just a few clicks. It offers a huge selection of fonts, text effects, and formatting tools. You can use Canva for free or get access to additional features with a subscription.

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Can I add captions to photos on my iPhone?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

You can use the Markup editor built into your iPhone to add text or marks to your image.

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How do I remove text from a saved picture?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, you can edit the original picture at any point, even after sending it to another person. If you save your changes in a duplicate of the photo, however, you won't be able to edit it.

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What if my screen doesn't show "T" at bottom?

Community Answer

If you want to add text to a photo, just put the photo in the text and then click after the photo and then type your message.

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