Draw with Notes on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

With Apple Pencil or the tip of your finger, you can create a drawing in the Notes app. And with Apple Intelligence and iOS 18.2, you can enhance your sketches with Image Wand.

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

1. In a note, tap the Markup button.

2. 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.

3. Use your fingers to create your drawing or use Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.

4. Tap Done.

   

• If you want to redo part of your drawing, tap the eraser tool, then tap the area you want to erase. If you accidentally erase something, tap the Undo button.

• Customise the thickness of your lines and the opacity of colours by tapping your selected drawing tool again.

• To make your drawing area larger or smaller, drag the yellow line at the top or bottom of your drawing to resize the area.

• After you’ve drawn something, you can move it around. Tap the lasso tool, trace a circle around the part of the drawing 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.

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

1. Tap the Markup button, then tap the lasso tool.

2. Select part of your drawing or handwriting to edit. Either use your finger to circle a portion of the drawing or tap and hold part of the drawing.*

3. Tap the selection to open a pop-up menu if needed, then choose Cut, Copy, Delete, Duplicate, Snap to Shapes, Copy as Text, Insert Space Above, Translate or Straighten.

*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

1. Tap the Markup button.

2. Tap the Add button.

3. Tap Add Sticker, Add Text, Add Signature or Add Shape, then choose an option.

Create an image from text or enhance a sketch with Image Wand in iOS 18.2

1. In a note, tap the Markup button.

2. Choose your tool then create a sketch with your finger or with your Apple Pencil.

3. 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.

4. Add a description to further refine your Image Wand creation.

5. Tap the arrow to submit your description.

6. Swipe through the generated images to find one you like.

7. Tap the Plus button to choose a different style – Animation, Illustration or Sketch.

To refine your image, tap a description, then edit it. To save it, tap Done.

Find out more about the Image Wand on iOS 18.2

Do more with Notes

Find out more about Notes on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

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