How-To

How to Markup Screenshots on iPhone and iPad

By Bryan M. Wolfe

Updated November 27, 2023

When you need to Markup a file on the fly on your Apple device, use Markup. The tool is easy to use and available across multiple apps.

With the built-in Markup feature on iPhone and iPad, you can edit screenshots and photos, select different opacity and font thickness, and add a signature to a PDF document. The tool is available through various native apps on both devices, including Mail, Messages, and Photos. Here’s how to use it.

Getting the Perfect Screenshot

Before getting started with Markup, it’s essential to know how to take screenshots on your mobile devices. The steps are slightly different, depending on the iPhone model.

Face ID

On late-generation iPhones that use Face ID, you create screenshots by following these directions:

1. Press the Side Button and the Volume Up button at the same time.
2. Quickly release both buttons.

After you take a screenshot, you’ll see a thumbnail representing it temporarily at the bottom left of the display. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it. The latter sends it automatically to your photos library.

Touch ID

To take screenshots on Touch ID-enabled iPhones with a side button:

1. Press the Side button and the Home button at the same time.
2. Quickly release both buttons.

To take screenshots on Touch ID-enabled iPhones with a top button, including the iPod touch:

1. Press the Top button and the Home button at the same time.
2. Quickly release both buttons.

In both cases, tap the screenshot thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it.

Time for Markup

You can Markup various types of files, including images, documents, and PDFs. Here’s how to do it, according to the app.

Messages App

To use Markup in the Apple Messages app:

1. Open Messages on your device’s Home screen.
2. Go into an existing conversation or start a new one by tapping the compose button at the bottom right.
3. Tap the photos button, then select a photo.
4. Choose the photo, which is now in the message.
5. Select Markup at the bottom left of the screen.

Next:

1. Use any of the Markup tools to add a sketch to the photo.
2. Tap the + icon at the right to select additional tools, including text, signature, and magnifier. You can also add shapes.
3. When done, choose Save.
4. Choose Done.
5. Tap the blue up arrow to send the message.

Photos App

To use Markup in the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Photos app on your device’s Home screen.
2. Select a photo to Markup.
3. Tap Edit at the top right.
4. Choose the … button at the top right.
5. Tap Markup under Options.

From there:

1. Use any of the Markup tools to add a sketch to the photo.
2. Tap the + icon at the right to select additional tools, including text, signature, and magnifier. You can also add shapes.
3. Choose Done at the bottom right.
4. Select Done at the top right.

Mail App

Here’s how to perform Markup in the Mail app:

1. Open Mail on your device’s Home screen.
2. Go into an existing conversation or start a new one by tapping the compose button at the bottom right.
3. Tap inside the body of your email, then select < or tap Return to open the format bar.
4. Select a button from the format bar. The choices include a camera, document, photos, and more. For a document, it must be a PDF. 
5. Tap on the document(s) you wish to Markup.
6. Tap the X button at the top right when finished selecting.

Next:

1. Tap on the image you wish to Markup.
2. Choose the Markup button on the format bar.
3. Use any of the Markup tools to add a sketch to the photo.
4. Tap the + icon at the right to select additional tools, including text, signature, and magnifier. You can also add shapes.
5. Choose Done at the top left when finished with the Markup.
6. Finish composing your email, sending it as you usually would.

A Useful Tool

When you need to Markup a file on the fly on your Apple device, use Markup. The tool is easy to use and available across multiple apps. Use the tool to add some vital information or flare to your images or other documents.