Draw with Notes on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
Create drawings in the Notes app with Apple Pencil or just the tip of a finger. And enhance your sketches with Image Wand using Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and later.
Get started
Make sure your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
If you were using Notes with iOS 13 or earlier, make sure you update your drawings, and set up Notes with iCloud or have notes saved on your device. Many Notes features won't work with other email providers.
How to create a drawing
In a note, tap the Markup button
.Choose a colour and a drawing tool, such as the pencil or marker. For more drawing tools, swipe left or right in the Markup toolbar.
Tap your selected drawing tool again to customise the thickness of the lines and the opacity of the colour.
Use a finger to create your drawing, or use Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad. If you want to redo part of your drawing, tap the eraser tool
, then erase using a finger or Apple Pencil. If you accidentally erase something, tap the Undo button
.Tap the Tick button
to stop drawing.
After you've drawn something, you can move it around. Tap the lasso tool
, trace a circle around the part of the drawing that you want to move, then drag it where you want it. You can also use the lasso to copy and paste parts of your drawing.After you’ve stopped drawing, you can make your drawing area larger or smaller. Tap and hold part of your drawing, then drag the yellow line at the top or bottom to resize the area.
Find out how to draw with your Apple Pencil and iPad
Find out how to draw with your Apple Pencil Pro and iPad
How to edit drawings and handwriting
Tap the Markup button
, then tap the lasso tool.Select part of your drawing or handwriting to edit. Either use a finger or Apple Pencil to circle a portion of the drawing or tap and hold part of the drawing.*
Tap the ellipsis button
to open a pop-up menu with options such as Cut, Copy, Delete, Duplicate, Snap to Shapes (if your drawing resembles a recognised shape), Copy as Text, Insert Space Above, Translate and Straighten.
Find out how to use handwriting in Notes on your iPad
* If you circle a portion of the drawing with the lasso, a dotted line in motion will surround what's been selected. If you tap and hold part of the drawing, two yellow resize handles will highlight what’s been selected, and you can move those handles to expand or decrease the selected area.
Add stickers, shapes and more
Tap the Markup button
.Tap the Add button
.Tap Add Sticker, Add Text, Add Signature, Add Shape or Add Loupe, then choose an option.
Create an image from text or enhance a sketch with Image Wand in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and later
In a note, tap the Markup button
.Choose your tool, then create a sketch with a finger or Apple Pencil.
Tap the Image Wand
, then circle the area you want to change. You can circle an image, text boxes or even an area under typed text.Add a description to further refine your Image Wand creation.
Tap the arrow
to submit your description.Swipe through the generated images to find one you like.
Tap the Style drop-down button
to choose a different style — Animation, Illustration or Sketch.
To refine your image, tap a description, then edit it. To save it, tap the Tick button.
Find out more about Image Wand on iOS 18.2
Apple Intelligence is available in beta on all iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 and later. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or later, Siri and the device language set to the same supported language, and 7GB of available storage.
Apple Intelligence uses generative models and outputs may vary. Check important information for accuracy.
Do more with Notes
Find out more about Notes on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
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