How to Add Text to Pictures on iPhone: 4 Simple Techniques

Why adding text to pictures is important

Adding text to your iPhone images isn't merely about looks; it accomplishes several important functions that can greatly help improve your visual content:

• Visual interest: Text can also serve as an effective design element, arranged in a way that adds balance, contrast, or emphasis to your photo. When combined thoughtfully, a photo and text can elevate the photo to a more dynamic and engaging visual experience that captures your viewer’s attention.
• Increases engagement: Words can influence how viewers stop, and pause to read, think about your words and incorporate that reading of your words into your thinking – and quickly move from just looking at your image to actively engaging with the message you have created. Words can also generally improve your engagement when shared on social media channels and sites, and help you gain more visibility.
• Establishes context: Text can offer immediate, and vital, context to images that provide the vital and simple "who, what, when, where, and why" to your images. This is critical, especially when an image alone does not convey the full message or story.
• Adds personalization: Adding custom text can take photos and literally make them your own, style, message, or mood. Custom text can allow you to create your own aesthetic and establish an identity with your audience or those you will be sending the images to.
• Enhances branding: For businesses, content authors, or individual brands, repeated utilization of text is an effective branding strategy. Using elements such as logos, taglines, or particular brand fonts aids in instant brand recognition and helps reinforce your distinctive identity on all your visual materials.

Write text on a picture on iPhone with Markup (iPhone built-in tool)

The Markup tool within the iPhone itself is an amazing and overlooked feature that enables you to add text, shapes, and even signatures instantly to your photos. It is so elegantly integrated into the Photos app that you don't have to download any other applications, which makes it fantastically convenient for quick on-the-go edits.

STEP 1
1. Open the Photos app

Start by going to your Photos application, which contains all of your photos. After opening, scroll through your library and select the very image you want to add text to.

STEP 2
1. Access Markup tool

After selecting your photo, tap the "Edit" button, typically found in the top right corner of your screen. This action will open the photo editing interface. Within this new screen, locate and select the "Markup" icon, which is usually represented by a pen nib symbol, to access the drawing and text tools.

STEP 3
1. Add and customize text

With the Markup tools enabled, tap on the "+" icon, which is typically at the bottom right, and choose "Text" from the available options. You will see a text box appear on your photo; double-tap to access the keyboard and add the desired words. At the bottom of the photo, you will see options for formatting the text to change size, select various colors, and pick from the available fonts.

STEP 4
1. Save or share your edited photo

When you're happy with the position of the text and the style, tap "Done" to save your edits. To share, tap the share icon (a square with an upward arrow) to send the edited picture using Messages, Mail, or post it directly to social media such as Instagram or X.

While Markup is convenient for quick edits, its limited features may not suffice for users seeking more creative control or professional designs. If you're looking to truly elevate your photo text beyond basic annotations and give your images a more polished or branded look, then it's time to explore powerful alternative apps that offer a broader spectrum of features.

Editor's favourite: Use CapCut App to add text to a photo on iPhone

Looking to make your iPhone photos pop with custom text? The CapCut App is the go-to solution for creating stunning, professional-grade visuals effortlessly. With its user-friendly interface, extensive font library, and versatile effects, the CapCut App empowers everyone from beginners to pros, to craft engaging images for social media, events, or personal projects. Unlike basic tools, it offers watermark-free exports and robust customization options without overwhelming complexity. Whether you're adding captions, quotes, or branding, the CapCut App makes the process quick and fun, transforming your photos into eye-catching masterpieces in just a few taps.

How to add words to pictures on iPhone in 3 simple steps using CapCut App

Want to effortlessly add stylish words to your pictures on your iPhone? Follow these simple steps to enhance your photos using the CapCut App's powerful features. Get started now by clicking the button below!

STEP 1
1. Open CapCut App and access the Photo editor

Begin by opening the CapCut App on your iPhone. Once it's loaded, navigate to "All tools" and then select "Photo editor" from the "Photo editing" section to start working on your images. Choose the image from your gallery, then tap "Edit."

STEP 2
1. Upload a photo, add and customize text

After selecting your image, look for the "Text" option in the bottom menu bar and tap it. This will allow you to type your desired text, and then you can use the extensive customization tools to choose from various fonts, colors, styles, and effects to make your text truly stand out.

STEP 3
1. Export or share

Once you're completely satisfied with how your text looks on the photo, click the "Export" button in the top right corner of the screen. Tapping this will allow you to save your enhanced photo directly to your iPhone's camera roll or share it directly to TikTok, all without the presence of a watermark.

How to add text to photos on iPhone using Canva App

Canva has become an indispensable tool for anyone looking to create professional-looking designs without extensive graphic design experience. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and vast library of templates make it incredibly easy to add text to your photos, whether for social media, marketing materials, or personal projects. The app offers a wide range of customizable fonts, colors, and design elements, empowering you to create stunning visuals directly from your iPhone.

STEP 1
1. Open Canva and start a new design

Open the Canva app on your mobile. Tap the "+" button at the bottom of the screen to begin a new design. Choose a blank canvas or a preset size like Instagram Post, Facebook Cover, or Poster. This will open up the workspace where you can start creating.

STEP 2
1. Add your photo

Tap the "+" button at the bottom of the screen, then select "Uploads" and then "Upload files" to import the desired photo from your iPhone's camera roll. Drag and drop your photo onto the canvas to place it.

STEP 3
1. Add and customize text

Once your photo is uploaded, tap on "Text" and tap "Add a text box" or choose a text style like Heading. Type in your message, then tap the text box to open editing options. You can change the font, size, color, and even add effects like shadows, outlines, or curved text. Customize the style to fit the mood or purpose of your design.

STEP 4
1. Position, save and share

Drag the text box to the perfect spot on your photo, ensuring readability and balance. Tap the share icon to save your design as PNG or JPEG to your device. Alternatively, export it directly to social media or other platforms for instant sharing.

How to add text to a photo on iPhone using Photoroom App

Photoroom is a powerful and increasingly popular photo editing app, particularly known for its exceptional capabilities in background removal and product photography. Beyond these key features, Photoroom also offers a robust and intuitive set of tools for adding text to your pictures on iPhone. It's designed to help you create clean, professional, and eye-catching visuals with ease, making it a great choice for e-commerce, social media, or simply personalizing your photos with stylish typography.

STEP 1
1. Import your photo

Open the PhotoRoom app on your iPhone and tap "Start from Photo." Choose the image you want to edit from your Camera Roll or take a new photo. PhotoRoom will automatically import your image and may remove the background, depending on the setting. Once loaded, your photo will appear in the editor, ready for customization.

STEP 2
1. Add text to your design

To add text, tap the "Text" option in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Select a text style or start with a plain textbox, then type in your desired message. The text will appear on your image as a movable layer that you can reposition, resize, or rotate using touch gestures.

STEP 3
1. Customize and style your text

Tap on the text layer to open the editing options. You can change the font, size, color, alignment, and spacing to match your design. You can also add a background to your text with customizable color, opacity, and shape, or even curve the text for a more dynamic look. This helps ensure your text is both stylish and easy to read.

STEP 4
1. Save or share your edited photo

Drag or pinch to reposition and resize the text for perfect placement. Once your design looks the way you want, tap Export at the bottom. Choose the file format (such as PNG or JPG), then save it to your device or share it directly to social media or messaging apps.

Use cases for adding text to pictures on iPhone

Adding text to your photos on an iPhone isn't just a creative flourish; it's a practical way to enhance communication, personalize content, and boost engagement across various platforms. Here are some key use cases:

• Social media posts: Adding text to your photos can help grab attention and communicate a message, whether it’s a caption, quote, or call-to-action. It’s perfect for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where visuals with text often get more engagement.
• Event invitations: Text is essential when designing digital invitations for birthdays, weddings, or other special occasions. You can add event details like date, time, location, and RSVP instructions to make your invite stand out.
• Marketing materials: For businesses, adding text to photos can help promote products, services, or events. Text on promotional images provides important information, such as discounts, offers, or branding, making them more effective for marketing campaigns.
• Memes and humorous content: Text is the cornerstone of meme culture. Adding custom text overlays to funny images allows you to create and share humorous content that resonates with specific inside jokes or current events, making it easy to generate and share viral-worthy memes.
• Personalized gifts and memories: Adding sentimental text like dates, names, or quotes to cherished photos can transform them into deeply personal gifts or keepsakes. Whether for a digital album or an image for printing, text makes the memory even more special and unique.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored various effective methods for how to add text to a picture on iPhone, ranging from the quick and accessible built-in Markup tool to more feature-rich third-party applications like Canva and Photoroom. Each option offers unique advantages, catering to different needs and skill levels. However, for those seeking the most comprehensive and creative control over their text overlays, the CapCut App truly stands out. With its extensive library of fonts, diverse effects, and intuitive interface, CapCut App empowers you to transform simple photos into visually captivating stories, making your images pop with professional-grade typography without any watermarks.

FAQs

1
1. Can I resize the text when adding it to a photo on iPhone?

Yes, you can absolutely resize text when adding it to a photo on your iPhone using all the methods discussed. With the built-in Markup tool, you typically drag the corners of the text box or use the size slider. CapCut App offers even more precise control, allowing you to pinch-to-zoom, drag, and often input exact size values for perfect placement.

2
1. Can I customize the text color and font when adding text to photos on iPhone?

Yes, you can customize the text color and font. The iPhone's built-in Markup tool provides a limited selection of fonts and colors. However, CapCut App excels in this area, offering an extensive library of fonts, a full spectrum of colors, and advanced styling options such as outlines, shadows, glow effects, and even text animations, giving you vast creative possibilities.

3
1. Can I add multiple lines of text to a picture on iPhone?

Yes, you can add multiple lines of text to a picture on your iPhone. Simply add separate text boxes for each line or use line breaks for more compact text. CapCut App allows you to add and manage multiple text layers, giving you full control over text placement and spacing for clean and organized designs.