The fastest way: use the Photos app's built-in markup tool

Open the photo in the Photos app, tap Edit in the top right, then tap the three dots and select Markup. You'll see a toolbox at the bottom with a plus sign — tap it and choose the text tool (the "A" icon). Tap where you want the text to go, type your message, then adjust the font, size, and color using the controls that appear. When you're done, tap Done and then Save.

This method works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later and saves the edited photo to your library. The text becomes part of the image itself — you can't edit it later without starting over, so get the wording right before you save.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app's Markup tool is built into every iPhone and requires no download — open any photo, tap Edit, then the three dots, then Markup.
  • You can change text color, font, and size before saving, and the text tool is the "A" icon in the Markup toolbox.
  • Text added through Markup becomes permanent once you save — you cannot edit or remove it without undoing the entire edit.
  • For more design control, third-party apps like Canva, PicLab, or Over offer templates, fonts, and effects that the Photos app does not.

Adjusting text size, color, and font in Markup

Once you've typed your text in Markup, a formatting menu appears above the keyboard. Tap the text box itself to select it, then use the color circle at the bottom left to change the text color — you can pick from preset colors or create a custom one by sliding the color wheel. The font and size controls are in the top menu: tap the "A" with up and down arrows to resize, and tap the font name to switch between styles like Helvetica, Courier, or marker-style fonts.

You can also move the text box around by dragging it, and rotate it by using two fingers on the box. If you make a mistake, tap Undo in the top left corner before you save.

Using third-party apps for more text options

Canva is free and offers hundreds of templates with pre-placed text boxes — you upload your photo, choose a template, and edit the text to match your design. PicLab and Over work similarly and include effects like shadows, outlines, and gradient text that the Photos app does not. All three are available in the App Store and let you save your edited photo to your camera roll when you're done.

These apps take longer to learn than Markup but give you more control over how the text looks. If you're adding text to multiple photos or want consistent branding, a third-party app is worth the time investment. Most offer free versions with ads or watermarks, and paid versions that remove them.

Adding text to a screenshot on iPhone

When you take a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the bottom left corner for a few seconds. Tap it to open the screenshot editor, then tap the Markup button (the pen-in-circle icon) at the bottom. From there, follow the same steps as editing a photo in the Photos app — select the text tool, tap where you want text, and type your message.

You can also open a screenshot in the Photos app later and use Markup the same way you would for any other photo. Screenshots are saved to your Photos library automatically, so you don't need to do anything special to keep them.

Saving and sharing your edited photo

After you finish editing in Markup, tap Done and then Save. The edited version replaces the original in your Photos app — if you want to keep both, tap Save as Copy instead, which creates a new photo with the text and leaves the original untouched. You can then share the edited photo by tapping the share icon, selecting your method (Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or social media), and sending it.

If you used a third-party app like Canva or PicLab, look for a Save or Export button in the app itself. Most apps save to your camera roll automatically, but some require you to confirm before saving.

Troubleshooting common text problems

If the text tool doesn't appear in Markup, make sure you're running iOS 13 or later — check Settings > General > About to see your iOS version. If Markup is missing entirely from the Edit menu, restart your iPhone and try again.

If text looks blurry or pixelated after you save, you may have zoomed in too far while editing — try editing again and keeping the text at a normal zoom level. If the text is hard to read against your photo's background, use the color tool to pick a contrasting color, or add a shadow or outline using a third-party app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit or delete text after I save the photo?

No — once you save an edited photo with text in Markup, the text becomes permanent. If you need to change it, you must undo the edit before saving, or start over with the original photo. This is why third-party apps can be useful: some let you save as a layered file that you can edit later.

Does Markup work on older iPhones?

Markup is built into iOS 13 and later. If you have an older iPhone, you can still add text using third-party apps from the App Store, such as Canva, PicLab, or Over. These apps work on older iOS versions and offer similar features.

Can I add text to a live photo?

You need to convert the live photo to a still image first. Open the photo in the Photos app, tap Edit, scroll down, and toggle off Live Photo. Then tap Done and proceed with Markup as normal.

What's the difference between Markup and the drawing tools in Notes?

Markup is designed for photos and lets you add text, shapes, and signatures directly to an image. The Notes app's drawing tools are for sketching and handwriting, not for adding typed text to photos. Use Markup for text on photos, and Notes for handwritten notes or sketches.

Can I use Markup to add text to a photo from the internet?

Yes — save the image to your Photos app first by long-pressing it and selecting Save Image, then open it in Photos and use Markup as normal. You cannot edit an image directly from a web browser without saving it first.