Where to find font color settings on your iPhone

Font color on iPhone depends on which app you're using. Apple's built-in apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages each have their own color controls, and they're not all in the same place. Third-party apps like Google Docs or Microsoft Word have separate color tools inside the app itself.

The most common place to change text color is in the formatting toolbar that appears when you select text. On iPhone, this toolbar slides up from the bottom of the screen or appears above your keyboard. You'll see an "A" with a colored line underneath it — that's your text color button.

Key Takeaways

  • Text color controls live in different places depending on which app you use — Mail, Notes, and Messages each have their own method.
  • Selecting text first is the required step before any color option appears on your screen.
  • The text color button usually shows as an "A" with a colored underline in the formatting toolbar.
  • Some apps like Mail let you set a default text color in settings, while others require you to change color for each message or note.

Changing text color in Apple Mail

Open Mail and start composing a new message or reply. Select the text you want to color by tapping and dragging across it, or triple-tap to select a full paragraph. Once text is highlighted, tap the arrow button (or three dots) in the toolbar above the keyboard to reveal more formatting options.

Look for the "A" with a colored line underneath. Tap it to open the color picker. You'll see a palette of preset colors — tap the one you want. If you want a custom color, tap the color wheel icon at the bottom of the palette to adjust hue and brightness manually. The selected text changes color when ready.

Changing text color in Apple Notes

In Notes, create a new note or open an existing one. Select the text you want to change by tapping and dragging across it. Tap the formatting button (looks like "Aa" with lines) in the toolbar above the keyboard.

From the menu that appears, tap "Text Color." A color palette opens with standard colors plus a color picker wheel. Choose your color and tap outside the palette to explore it. Unlike Mail, Notes also lets you change text style (bold, italic, underline) in the same menu, so you can format multiple ways at once.

Changing text color in Messages

Messages on iPhone does not have a built-in text color feature for regular SMS or iMessage conversations. You cannot change the color of individual words or sentences within a message thread. The color of message bubbles themselves (blue for iMessage, green for SMS) is automatic and cannot be customized.

If you need colored text in a conversation, your only option is to use a third-party messaging app that supports text formatting, such as Telegram or Discord. These apps have their own text color tools built into their compose screens.

Changing text color in third-party apps

Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and similar apps store their text color tools in different locations. In Google Docs, select your text, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Text color" from the formatting options. In Microsoft Word, select text and tap the "Home" tab, then look for the text color button (usually marked with an "A").

Each app works slightly differently, so if you don't see a color option in the expected place, check the app's help documentation or look in the formatting menu. Most professional writing apps follow the same general pattern: select text first, then find the color tool in the toolbar or menu.

Setting a default text color in Mail

If you want all your outgoing Mail messages to use a specific color by default, go to Settings > Mail > Compose. Scroll down to find "Default Text Color" (available on iOS 16 and later). Tap it and choose your preferred color. This setting applies to all new messages you write, though you can still override it by selecting text and changing the color manually for individual messages.

This default only affects text you type going forward — it does not change the color of text you've already written. If you switch back to black text for one message, your next message will return to your default color.

Why some apps don't support text color

Not every app on iPhone lets you change text color. Messages, for example, strips formatting to keep conversations straightforward and fast. Some note-taking apps prioritize speed over formatting options. Banking apps and security-focused tools intentionally avoid text color controls because colored text can be used to hide or obscure important information.

If an app you use regularly doesn't have text color options, check whether a newer version adds the feature — Apple and third-party developers update these tools regularly. You can also look for alternative apps that offer the formatting you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of text that's already been sent in Messages?

No. Once a message is sent in Messages, you cannot edit it or change its color. You would need to delete the message and send a new one with different formatting. Some other messaging apps like iMessage do allow editing, but the color would need to be set before sending.

Does changing text color work in emails I send to non-Apple users?

It depends on their email client. If you send a colored message from Mail to someone using Gmail or Outlook, they will see the color if their email app supports HTML formatting. Some older email clients or plain-text-only settings may strip the color and show only black text. There's no way to know in advance, so important information should not rely on color alone.

Can I change the color of text in iCloud Notes on my Mac and have it match on iPhone?

Yes. Notes syncs across all your Apple devices through iCloud. If you change text color on your Mac, that color appears on your iPhone when the note syncs. The color tools work the same way on both devices.

Why doesn't my text color show up when I paste it into another app?

When you copy and paste text, some apps strip formatting like color, bold, and italics. This is intentional — the receiving app may not support those formats, or it may use its own color scheme. If you need colored text in the destination app, you'll need to select the text there and explore color using that app's tools.