The quickest way to add a ™ symbol on iPhone

The trademark symbol (™) appears on your iPhone keyboard through the numbers and symbols layout. Press and hold the number keys or use the dedicated symbols keyboard, then tap the ™ character. On most iPhones, you can also type it by holding down the letter "t" or using the built-in text replacement feature to create a shortcut.

The method you choose depends on how often you need the symbol. If you use it once in a while, the keyboard method takes five seconds. If you type it regularly — for a brand name or product you mention often — setting up a text shortcut saves time over weeks and months.

Key Takeaways

  • The trademark symbol lives on your iPhone's symbols keyboard, accessible by tapping the .?123 key and then the #+= key.
  • You can create a text shortcut so that typing "tm" automatically becomes ™, saving you from hunting the keyboard each time.
  • The registered trademark symbol (®) and service mark symbol (℠) are on the same keyboard if you need those instead.
  • Text shortcuts sync across all your Apple devices if you use the same iCloud account, so you set it once and it works everywhere.

Finding the trademark symbol on the keyboard

Open any app where you type — Messages, Notes, Mail, or a web browser. Tap the .?123 key in the bottom left corner of the keyboard. This switches you from letters to numbers and basic symbols.

Now tap the #+= key, also in the bottom left. This opens the extended symbols keyboard where less common characters live. Scroll right through the symbols until you see ™. Tap it, and it inserts into your text. The whole process takes about five taps.

If you do not see it when ready, swipe left and right across the symbols row — Apple groups them by category, and trademark symbols sit near currency and legal marks. On some iPhone models, the ™ appears on the first extended symbols screen; on others you may need to swipe once.

Setting up a text shortcut for faster typing

If you type the trademark symbol regularly, create a shortcut so your iPhone replaces a short code with ™ automatically. Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard, then tap Text Replacement.

Tap the + button in the top right. In the Phrase field, type or paste the ™ symbol (you can copy it from this article). In the Shortcut field, type something short and straightforward to remember — "tm" works well, or "trade" if you prefer something longer. Tap Save.

Now whenever you type "tm" in Messages, Notes, Mail, or any app that uses the standard iPhone keyboard, your phone automatically replaces it with ™. If you change your mind, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, find the shortcut, and tap Edit or Delete.

Using the same shortcut across iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Text shortcuts you create on one Apple device sync to all your other devices automatically — but only if you sign in with the same iCloud account on each one. Set up the "tm" shortcut on your iPhone, and it works the same way on your iPad and Mac.

If the shortcut does not appear on another device, check that you are signed into iCloud on that device. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure you are logged in. Keyboard settings sync within a few minutes once you are connected.

Other trademark and legal symbols on your iPhone

The same extended symbols keyboard holds the registered trademark symbol (®) and the service mark symbol (℠). These appear near the ™ symbol on the #+= keyboard. Tap and hold any of them to see a preview before you insert it.

You can create text shortcuts for these as well. Many people set up "reg" to produce ®, "sm" to produce ℠, and "tm" to produce ™. This way you can type any of them without hunting the keyboard.

What to do if the symbol does not appear where you expect

If you cannot find the ™ symbol on your extended symbols keyboard, your iPhone may be set to a different language or region. Go to Settings > General > Language & Region and confirm it is set to English (or your preferred language). The symbols keyboard changes based on your language setting.

If you still cannot locate it, try the text replacement method instead. Create a shortcut for "tm" that produces ™, and you will never need to hunt the keyboard again. This method works regardless of your language or region settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste the trademark symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. You can copy ™ from any source — a website, an email, or this article — and paste it wherever you need it. This works but is slower than using the keyboard or a text shortcut, especially if you use the symbol more than once or twice.

Does the trademark symbol work in all apps?

The ™ symbol works in any app that accepts text, including Messages, Mail, Notes, social media apps, and web browsers. Some older apps or specialized software may not display it correctly, but this is rare on modern iPhones.

What is the difference between ™, ®, and ℠?

™ marks a trademark (a brand name or logo), ® marks a registered trademark (one officially registered with a government office), and ℠ marks a service mark (a trademark for a service rather than a product). You use them based on the legal status of what you are marking.

If I delete a text shortcut, does it stop working on my other devices?

Yes. When you delete a text shortcut from one device, it disappears from all devices signed into the same iCloud account within a few minutes. If you want to keep it on some devices but remove it from others, you will need to manage each device separately.

Can I use a longer phrase as my shortcut instead of just "tm"?

Yes. Your shortcut can be any text you want — "trademark", "trade mark", or even a longer phrase. Choose something you will remember and that you are unlikely to type by accident in normal writing.