How to Draw on Photos on iPhone & iPad

Want to customize your photos by drawing on them? We'll show you how to draw on photos on your iPhone and iPad with Markup.

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Learn how to draw on pictures on your iPhone or iPad using the Markup feature.
  • You can change Markup tools, color, width, opacity, and more to make a dynamic drawing.

How to Draw on Pictures on iPhone & iPad

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later, and was tested on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

Want to add a doodle or a couple of handwritten words to a photo on your iPhone or iPad? Here's how to draw on photos on iPhone with Markup.

  1. Open the Photos app.

    open the photos app

  2. Tap the photo you want to draw on, then tap the Edit icon.

    tap the edit icon

  3. Tap the Markup icon.

    tap the markup icon

  4. Choose a Markup tool like the pen, highlighter, or pencil.

    choose a markup tool

  5. Tap the color icon.

    tap the color icon

  6. Tap a color, and use the sliders if you want to change HDR Boost and/or Opacity.

    tap a color

  7. Tap the X when you've chosen your color settings. 

    tap x after choosing color

  8. Tap the same tool again to change the color opacity and thickness.

    tap tool again to adjust width and opacity

  9. Tap the Eraser to erase any parts of your drawing you're not happy with.

    tap the eraser icon

  10. Tap the check mark in the blue circle when you're finished drawing.

    tap check mark when done drawing

  11. Tap Done.

    tap done to save photo with drawing


That's how to draw on a photo on your iPhone or iPad using Markup. Next, check out our free Tip of the Day
 for more great iPhone photo editing tutorials.

Top image credit: wk1003mike / Shutterstock.com

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.
Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.