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In iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, open a note and tap Handwriting Tools (or Markup) to draw. An iPhone accepts finger input; a compatible iPad accepts a finger or Apple Pencil. You can sketch, handwrite, annotate photos and scans, create straight lines and regular shapes, then select, move, erase, or copy your marks.
The toolbar changes with the device, note content, language, and available features. The instructions below separate the Notes drawing area from Markup controls used on inserted images, PDFs, and scans.
Open the Notes drawing tools
On iPhone
- Open Notes and create a note or open an existing one.
- Tap Handwriting Tools or Markup.
- Choose a drawing instrument and write or draw with your finger.
- Drag the resize handle on the left edge of the handwriting area to make the canvas taller or shorter.
Apple’s current iPhone instructions are at Apple’s iPhone Notes guide.
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On iPad
- Open or create a note.
- Start drawing with Apple Pencil, or tap Handwriting Tools before drawing with your finger.
- Use the resize handle to change the handwriting area’s height.
Apple Pencil is optional for ordinary drawing. It is not an iPhone accessory; the Pencil workflow applies to compatible iPads. See Apple’s iPad Notes guide.
What each tool is for
| Tool | Best use |
|---|---|
| Pen | General handwriting, outlines, and diagrams. |
| Mono line | Consistent-width writing and lines. |
| Marker | Broad, translucent highlighting. |
| Pencil | A softer, sketch-like stroke. |
| Eraser | Remove part of a mark or, where offered, an entire object. |
| Lasso | Select handwriting or drawings so you can move, copy, duplicate, or delete them. |
| Ruler | Guide straight lines and alignment. |
| Color | Choose a preset or custom color. |
| Add | Insert text boxes, shapes, stickers, signatures, and other available objects. |
Icons and their order can differ between the Notes canvas, an image, a PDF, and other Markup contexts. Apple’s Markup reference is Write and draw with Markup on iPhone.
Change line weight, opacity, and color
- Select the pen, mono line, marker, pencil, or another instrument.
- Tap that selected instrument a second time to open its options, when available.
- Choose a line weight and adjust the opacity slider.
- Open the color control and choose a color from the grid, spectrum, or sliders.
- Use pen or mono line for readable labels and diagrams.
- Use marker with lower opacity over a photograph, scan, or screenshot.
- Choose the color before a long drawing; recoloring finished strokes generally requires selecting them first.
Draw straight lines and regular shapes
Use the ruler
- Tap Ruler.
- Drag it with one finger and rotate it to the required angle.
- Draw along its edge.
- Tap the ruler again to remove it.
The ruler is an alignment aid for underlines, margins, diagrams, and technical sketches.
Snap a freehand stroke into a shape
- Choose a pen, marker, or pencil.
- Draw the shape in one continuous stroke.
- Pause briefly without lifting or extending the stroke.
Markup can regularize lines, arrows, arcs, right-angle lines, squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, chat bubbles, hearts, stars, and clouds. If the result is wrong, tap Undo. Details are in Apple’s iPad Markup guide.
Insert a controlled shape
Tap Add and choose Add Shape when you need predictable geometry. An inserted shape can be resized and given a border color, border width, fill, opacity, and direction. This is different from shape recognition, which modifies a single freehand stroke.
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Add text, stickers, signatures, and other objects
- Tap Add in the Markup toolbar.
- Choose Add Text, Add Shape, Add Sticker, or Add Signature, if shown.
- Drag the object into position and resize it.
- Tap outside the object when finished.
Text boxes have font, size, alignment, style, and color controls. Apple’s current Notes workflow also lists Add Loupe on supported software. Availability varies by device and context.
Erase, select, move, and copy marks
Erase
Choose Eraser and drag over the unwanted area. Depending on the available eraser mode, you may erase only touched pixels or remove a complete object. For handwritten text made with supported tools such as Pen, Mono line, or Marker, scratch across the writing and hold the finger or writing instrument briefly to select or remove it.
If scratch-out does nothing, check that you are targeting handwriting rather than an inserted object and that the selected instrument and software support the gesture.
Select and reposition content
- Choose Lasso.
- Outline the handwriting or drawing.
- Drag the selection to move it, or use the available menu to cut, copy, delete, or duplicate it.
Smart Selection also supports handwriting and drawings. Touch and hold then drag to expand a selection; double-tap a word; triple-tap a sentence; or adjust the selection handles. On iPad, the selection menu can additionally show Add to Playground.
Copy handwriting as typed text
Select recognized handwriting with Lasso or Smart Selection, then choose Copy as Text. Paste the result into another note or app. Recognition and search depend on legibility and a supported system language configured in Settings → General → Language & Region; this does not convert every drawing or every language.
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iPad handwriting features
Scribble
On a supported iPad, tap Scribble near the pen tools and write with Apple Pencil. Notes transcribes the writing into typed text as you write. Scribble is iPad-specific, requires a compatible Pencil, and depends on supported languages and feature availability. It is separate from Copy as Text, which converts a selected passage after it has been written.
Handwriting refinement
On supported iPads, Notes can smooth and straighten handwriting while preserving its handwritten appearance. To refine existing marks, select them and tap Refine. To enable automatic refinement, tap Handwriting Tools → More and turn on Auto-refine Handwriting.
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Apple lists support for iPad Pro M4 and M5; iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later); iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later); iPad Air M2, M3, and M4; iPad Air 10.9-inch (4th generation and later); iPad (10th generation and later); iPad mini (6th generation); and iPad mini (A17 Pro). Supported language variants include English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish variants. Unsupported models can still draw normally.
Apple Pencil controls
Apple Pencil adds precision, but capabilities depend on the exact iPad and Pencil combination. On supported hardware:
- Pressure can make a stroke darker or thicker.
- Tilt can add shading or alter line width with compatible tools.
- Double-tap on Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil Pro can switch tools.
- Squeeze on Apple Pencil Pro can invoke actions such as Undo or the tool palette.
- Barrel roll on Apple Pencil Pro can alter or preview the angle of tools such as a highlighter or fountain pen.
- Hover on supported iPads previews color, thickness, opacity, and eraser effects before contact.
See the model-specific details in Apple’s Apple Pencil guide. Finger drawing remains available on iPad, so these features are enhancements rather than requirements.
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Annotate images, scans, PDFs, and screenshots
- Insert an image or document into the note, or scan a document in Notes.
- Tap the image or document, then tap Markup.
- Choose a drawing tool and annotate with a finger or Apple Pencil.
- Use the Share menu to send or export the marked-up result when appropriate.
You can drag an image from another app into the drawing area, then reposition and resize it. Typical uses include marking a map screenshot, labeling a diagram, annotating a photograph, or writing on a scanned receipt or worksheet. Apple’s scan instructions are at How to scan documents on iPhone or iPad.
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Optional Image Wand
With Apple Intelligence enabled on a supported configuration, Image Wand can turn a rough sketch into an image. It can also use nearby words and images when you select empty space in a note. Device, language, region, account settings, and rollout determine whether it appears; it is not required for ordinary drawing.
When a tool is missing or does not work
The Handwriting Tools or Markup button is absent
- Tap inside the note and close the keyboard if it covers the lower toolbar.
- Try a new blank note to determine whether the problem belongs to one note.
- Check whether the note is locked or restricted.
- Install the current compatible iOS or iPadOS update.
- Remember that a PDF, image, and freehand Notes canvas expose overlapping but different controls.
Apple Pencil does not draw
- Confirm that the Pencil model is compatible with the iPad, paired, and charged.
- Make sure you are not trying to use Apple Pencil on iPhone.
- Tap Handwriting Tools so the iPad is in the drawing area rather than ordinary text entry.
- Temporarily disconnect interfering accessories or apps.
Scribble, Copy as Text, or selection features are unavailable
Check the iPad or iPhone model, operating-system version, selected content, and system language. These features require recognized handwriting, not a photo or inserted shape, and Apple limits transcription and Smart Selection to supported languages.
Shape recognition is inaccurate
Use one continuous stroke, pause at the end, and undo if necessary. Choose Add Shape instead when exact, editable geometry matters more than speed.
When Notes is the right tool
Notes is well suited to meeting notes, handwritten lists, quick diagrams, research annotation, and marks on scans or images. A dedicated illustration app is a better choice for a large canvas, layers, advanced brushes, professional color management, or specialized export formats. Notes drawings are practical annotations, not a replacement for a full illustration workflow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I draw in Notes on an iPhone without an Apple Pencil?
Yes. Open a note, tap Handwriting Tools or Markup, choose an instrument, and draw with your finger. Apple Pencil drawing is an iPad workflow.
How do I make a perfect circle in Notes?
Draw the circle in one continuous stroke and pause briefly. Markup may regularize it; use Undo if you prefer the freehand version.
Can I convert handwriting to typed text?
Select recognized handwriting and choose Copy as Text. Results depend on legibility, supported language, device, and software.
How do I move a drawing?
Choose Lasso, outline the mark, then drag the selection. The selection menu also offers actions such as cut, copy, duplicate, and delete.
Why is Scribble missing on my iPad?
Scribble requires a compatible iPad, compatible Apple Pencil, supported language, and software feature availability. It is not available on iPhone.
Can I use Image Wand with a sketch?
Only when Apple Intelligence and Image Wand are supported and enabled for your device, language, region, and account.
Quick Recap
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