Draw and write on a photo with iPhone/iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, all the photos and videos you take are in the Photos app. View, organize and edit all photos in this app. You can also draw or write something on a photo. Brighten up a photo, create something crazy or turn a photo into an invitation.

The Photos app has a set of tools like drawing and writing on a photo, among other things. In the following paragraphs, we assume that this set is open. To access the set from an iPhone with iOS 13 or iPad with iPadOS 13:

• Tap the app photos.
• Tap the tab Library (as of iOS 14) or photos (iOS 13).
• Tap on All pictures.
• An overview of all photos on the device opens. Tap the desired photo.
• The photo opens large in view. Tap on the top right of the photo Change.
• In iOS 15, tap the stylus icon in a circle at the top right. In iOS 13/14, tap the “Menu” icon at the top right > Marking.
• When editing a Live Photo, the app will notify you that this feature will be disabled. Tap on OK.

A tool bar opens.

Below the photo are the following tools, from left to right:

Pen

Highlighter

Pencil

Eraser

lasso function

Ruler

Color palette

The drawing on the picture can begin.

• Tap the desired drawing tool: the pen, highlighter, or pencil.
  • The selected writing utensil rises slightly on the bar. Tap the writing implement again to open an additional menu.
  • The pen or highlighter has different thicknesses. Tap the desired thickness.
  • Use the slider to determine the transparency of the line. So to what extent the photo can still be seen under the drawing.
• Tap the multi-color circle to open the color palette.
  • Tap the desired color.
  • In iOS 15, tap the cross to close the window. In iOS 13/14, tap the circle with the colors again to close the palette.
• Everything is set. You can now draw. Move your finger or an Apple Pencil across the screen.

Did the drawing not go well right away? No problem. The tool kit also includes an eraser.

• In the tool bar, tap the eraser.
• Swipe the part of the drawing you want to delete.

The photo remains intact, you only erase the drawing. By the way, you can also undo your last action. To do this, tap the circle with the arrow pointing to the left.

If the drawing is not in the right place, you don’t have to start over. Then move the drawing with the lasso function.

• Tap the lasso tool (the fifth tool, to the left of the ruler).
• Make a circle around the drawing.
• A dotted line appears around the selected drawing. Drag the selection to a different place.
• Release the screen.
• Tap the photo outside the selection to deselect it.

With the writing utensil you can write in addition to drawing. But there is also another option to add text to the photo.

• Tap the circle with plus sign .
• Tap on Text.
• A text frame appears on the photo. Tap the frame and tap in the menu Change.
• Type the text.
• Tap the photo to close the keyboard.
• Tap the text frame again to select the frame.
• Tap the desired text color.
• You can also adjust the font, font size, and alignment.
  • Tap the circle with aA .
  • Tap the desired options.
  • Tap aA again to close the menu.

Finally, we briefly discuss a number of other functions that are hidden under the circle with the plus sign. Add a signature to a photo or other document via the ‘Signature’ button. Using the ‘Magnifying Glass’ it is possible to zoom in on a photo and draw more precisely. And at the bottom of the menu are a number of shapes you can insert.