You can change text color on iPhone in Notes and Mail, but Messages doesn't support it natively
iPhone does not have a system-wide text color tool that works everywhere. Instead, each app handles color differently. In the Notes app, you can highlight text in six colors or change the text color itself using the formatting toolbar. In Mail, you can select text and explore color from the composition menu. In Messages, the built-in app does not offer text color options—you can only use text formatting like bold and italic, or add effects like Invisible Ink. Other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram also do not support colored text.
The steps are straightforward once you know where to look, and they do not require any special settings or downloads. The main limitation is that colored text only displays correctly when both the sender and recipient use apps that support it.
Key Takeaways
- In Notes, select text and tap the highlighter icon to highlight in yellow, green, blue, pink, purple, or black, or tap the "Aa" icon to change the text color itself.
- In Mail, select text while composing and tap the "Aa" icon in the formatting menu to access the text color palette.
- Messages does not have a native text color feature; you can only use bold, italic, underline, or text effects like Invisible Ink.
- Colored text sent to Android users may not display correctly, especially in Notes, which is iOS-only.
- Third-party keyboards can type in color, but the recipient may see only plain text depending on their device and app.
Highlighting and coloring text in the Notes app
Notes gives you the most straightforward color control on iPhone. You can highlight text in six colors: yellow, green, blue, pink, purple, or black. Select the text you want to highlight by tapping and holding a word, then dragging to select more. Tap the highlighter icon (it looks like a marker pen) in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. A color palette will appear. Tap the color you want, and the text will be highlighted in that color.
You can also change the text color itself in Notes, not just highlight it. Select your text, tap the "Aa" icon in the toolbar, then tap "Text Color." A color wheel will appear. Tap the color you want, and the selected text will change to that color. This works for any text in a note, and you can use different colors in the same note. If you want to create a note with colored text from the start, open a new note, tap the "Aa" icon, select "Text Color," choose your color, and then start typing. All new text will appear in that color until you change it again.
Changing text color in the Mail app
Mail lets you change text color when composing a message. Start writing your email, select the text you want to color by tapping and holding, then tap the arrow icon that appears. Tap the "Aa" icon in the formatting menu. Tap "Text Color" and choose from the available palette. The recipient will see the colored text in their email client, though some email programs may not display colors the same way.
The color options in Mail are the same as in Notes—you get a full color wheel to choose from. Keep in mind that older email clients or web-based email may strip out color formatting, so the recipient might see plain text instead. If you are sending to someone using Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail, colored text usually displays correctly.
Why Messages doesn't support text color
The built-in Messages app on iPhone does not have a direct text color feature. What it does have is text formatting: you can make text bold, italic, underlined, or strikethrough. To access these options, select the text you want to format by tapping and holding a word, then dragging to select more text. Tap the arrow icon that appears, then tap "BIU" (Bold, Italic, Underline). A menu will show you formatting choices.
Text effects in Messages (like Invisible Ink, which hides text until the recipient taps it, or Loud, which enlarges text) are not the same as color changes. To add a text effect, type your message, press and hold the send button, tap "Text Effects," and choose the effect you want. The text itself stays black, but the delivery method changes. If you want actual color changes in Messages, you will need a third-party keyboard from the App Store, though these work inconsistently and the recipient may see only plain text.
Text color in third-party messaging apps
Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal do not support text color changes within the app itself. These apps prioritize simplicity and security over formatting options. They intentionally limit text styling to keep the interface clean and to reduce the file size of messages. Adding color support would require more data to be sent with each message, which could slow down delivery on slower connections.
Some third-party apps do offer limited formatting. Telegram, for example, lets you make text bold, italic, or monospace, but not colored. If colored text is important to you, you can use emoji or special Unicode characters as a workaround, though this is not the same as true color formatting. For messaging that requires colored text, Notes or Mail are your better options.
What happens when you send colored text to someone else
When you send a message with colored text from Notes or Mail, the recipient sees the color only if their device and app support it. iPhone users will see the color in Mail and Notes. Android users may see the color in Mail, depending on their email app, but will not see it in Notes since that app is iOS-only. If you copy colored text from Notes and paste it into Messages, the color information is usually lost, and the recipient sees plain black text.
Text effects in Messages (Invisible Ink, Loud, Gentle, and others) work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Android users also receive these messages, though they see a description of the effect rather than the effect itself. For example, an Android user might see "[Message with Invisible Ink effect]" instead of the hidden text. This means the message arrives, but the visual effect does not translate.
Accessibility and readability when using colored text
Colored text can make messages harder to read for people with color blindness or low vision. If you use colored text, pair it with bold or italic formatting so the emphasis is clear even if the color is not visible. Avoid light colors on light backgrounds and dark colors on dark backgrounds, as these combinations reduce contrast and make text harder to read.
In Notes and Mail, you can check how your colored text looks by switching between Light and Dark mode. Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and toggle between Light and Dark. Your colored text may look different in each mode, so test it before sending important messages. If you are sending colored text to someone else, ask them to check it on their device to make sure it is readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change text color in iMessage?
No, iMessage (the blue text in Messages) does not support text color changes. You can use text formatting like bold and italic, or add text effects like Invisible Ink, but the text itself stays black. Third-party keyboards can type in color, but the recipient may not see the color depending on their device.
Does colored text in Notes sync across my devices?
Yes, if you use iCloud to sync Notes, colored text will appear in the same color on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The color information is stored as part of the note and syncs automatically when you make changes.
What if I send colored text to someone with Android?
Colored text in Mail will usually display on Android email apps, though the exact appearance depends on the email client. Colored text from Notes cannot be shared directly with Android users since Notes is iOS-only. If you copy and paste colored text into Messages, Android users will see plain black text.
Can I set a default text color in Notes?
You can set a color before you start typing in a new note by tapping the "Aa" icon and selecting "Text Color," but this does not carry over to future notes. Each new note starts with the default black text unless you change it manually.
Why does my colored text look different on my friend's phone?
Different devices and apps display colors differently depending on screen brightness, color profile, and whether the app supports that color format. Light and Dark mode also affect how colors appear. Always test colored text on the recipient's device type if the color accuracy matters.