You're looking at a great shot of your dog, or maybe a sunset, and you realize it just needs a caption. Or maybe you're trying to point out a specific dent in a car for an insurance claim. Knowing how to add text to a photo on iPhone isn't just about making memes; it's a utility tool that stays buried deep in the Photos app menus. Honestly, Apple doesn't make it as obvious as it should be.
Most people think they need a third-party app from the App Store. You don't. Everything you need is already sitting in that sleek glass slab in your pocket.
It's called Markup.
Finding the Hidden Markup Menu
Stop looking for a "text" button. It isn't there. To get started, open your Photos app and pick an image. Tap Edit in the top right corner. You'll see a bunch of dials for brightness and contrast, but ignore those. Look for the tiny pencil tip icon—that’s the Markup tool. If you're on an older version of iOS, you might have to tap a three-dot "More" icon first, but on iOS 17 and iOS 18, that pencil icon is usually front and center.
Once you tap it, the screen transforms. You get a tray of pens, highlighters, and an eraser.
Still no text button?
Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom right of the Markup screen. A little menu pops up, and that’s where "Add Text" finally reveals itself. It’s a bit of a trek, but once you've done it three times, it becomes muscle memory.
Customizing Your Text Without Making It Look Cheap
When you first hit that text button, a little box appears with the word "Text" in it. It’s usually small and in a default font that looks... well, a bit boring.
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Tap the text box. Now look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see two "A"s of different sizes. Tap that. This is your command center for typography. You can switch between Helvetica, Georgia, and Noteworthy. Noteworthy is great if you want that "handwritten" vibe, while Georgia feels a bit more formal.
You can also slide the bar to change the size. Big. Small. Huge. Whatever you need.
Then there's the alignment. Left, center, right, or justified. It works just like a word processor.
Color matters too. Apple gives you a grid of presets, but if you're feeling fancy, tap the multi-color circle on the far left of the color tray. This opens a full spectrum. You can even use the eyedropper tool to pick a color directly from your photo so the text matches perfectly. It makes your edits look way more professional than just slapping bright red text over a blue sky.
The "Long Press" Trick for Better Placement
Moving the text is simple—you just drag it. But sometimes it snaps to places you don't want.
If you find yourself struggling to get the text exactly where you want it, try zooming in on the photo first using two fingers. When the photo is larger on your screen, you have much more "surface area" to move the text box with precision.
You can also rotate it. Use two fingers on the text box and twist. Want it diagonal? Go for it. Want it upside down? Sure.
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Beyond Just Words: Combining Text with Shapes
Sometimes text isn't enough. If you’re trying to show someone exactly which wire to pull or which house is yours, you need a callout.
In that same (+) menu where you found the text tool, you'll see shapes: squares, circles, speech bubbles, and arrows.
Try this: add a speech bubble. Then, add a text box. Drag the text box over the speech bubble. It’s a classic way to make your photos more expressive.
Pro tip: If you use an arrow, you can actually curve it. Tap the arrow once it's on your screen, and you'll see green dots. Pull those dots to bend the arrow. It's a small detail, but it looks a thousand times better than a rigid, straight line cutting across your subject's face.
Dealing with the "Edit" Regret
The best thing about how to add text to a photo on iPhone using the native app is that it’s non-destructive.
What does that mean?
It means if you save the photo and realize two days later that you misspelled "congratulations," you aren't stuck with it. You can go back into the Photos app, hit Edit, and then tap Revert. This strips away all your Markup and returns the photo to its original state.
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Alternatively, you can just go back into Markup and delete the text box specifically.
Why Some People Still Use Third-Party Apps
I'll be honest—the built-in iPhone tool is great for basics, but it has limits.
If you want "Word Art" styles, shadows, or 3D effects, Apple’s Markup isn't going to give them to you. Apps like Phonto or Canva are the heavy hitters here. Phonto is specifically built for this one task and allows you to install your own custom fonts (OTF or TTF files) from sites like Google Fonts.
However, for 90% of people, those apps just take up space on your phone. The Markup tool is faster, uses zero extra storage, and doesn't require an account or a subscription.
Practical Uses You Haven't Thought Of
- Signing Documents: Use the "Signature" tool in the (+) menu to sign a PDF or a photo of a contract.
- Safety Info: Put your "If found, call..." info on a screenshot of your lock screen wallpaper.
- Gift Tags: Take a photo of a wrapped gift and text the recipient's name on it before sending it to a group chat.
- Home DIY: Take a photo of a wall and write the measurements ($42.5" \times 80"$) directly on the image while you're at the hardware store.
Steps to Success
- Open Photos and select your image.
- Tap Edit, then tap the Markup (pencil) icon.
- Hit the + button and choose Text.
- Double-tap the text box to type your message.
- Use the AA button to change font style, size, and alignment.
- Drag the text to your desired location and use two fingers to rotate.
- Tap Done twice to save your masterpiece.
If you ever find that the Markup icon is missing, make sure your phone is updated to at least iOS 15, though iOS 17+ is where the interface really smoothed out. If you're working with a "Live Photo," keep in mind that adding text will turn off the "Live" animation feature, effectively turning it into a still image. You'll get a warning about this, so just tap "OK" to proceed.
The beauty of the iPhone is that these tools are built to be used quickly. You don't need a degree in graphic design to make a clear, legible note on a picture. Just dive into the Markup menu and start tapping.