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 that 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 color and a drawing tool, like the pencil or marker. For more drawing tools, swipe left or right in the Markup toolbar.
Tap your selected drawing tool again to customize the thickness of the lines and the opacity of the color.
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 Checkmark button
to stop drawing.
After you draw 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 stop 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.
Learn how to draw with your Apple Pencil and iPad
Learn 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 like Cut, Copy, Delete, Duplicate, Snap to Shapes (if your drawing resembles a recognized shape), Copy as Text, Insert Space Above, Translate, and Straighten.
Learn 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 dropdown 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 Checkmark button.
Learn 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 7 GB of available storage.
Apple Intelligence uses generative models and outputs may vary. Check important information for accuracy.
Do more with Notes
Learn more about Notes on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
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