iOS 27 Adds New Drawing Tool to Your iPhone's Messages App - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 27 Adds New Drawing Tool to Your iPhone's Messages App

The upcoming iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate updates expand drawing tools to more of Apple's built-in apps across the iPhone and Mac.

iOS 27 Messages Drawing
In the Messages app on iOS 27, there is a new "Drawing" option in the app drawer, which can be opened by tapping the plus sign in the bottom-left corner.

On older iOS versions, the Messages app once had a very basic drawing tool that was accessible by tapping a button on the keyboard in landscape orientation, but now Apple's complete set of Markup tools are available in the app.

On the Mac, macOS 27 adds the Markup tools to the Notes and Freeform apps.

macOS 27 Notes Markup Drawing
iOS 27 and macOS 27 are currently available in developer beta. The updates are expected to be released to the general public in September.

Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate
Related Forums: iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate

Popular Stories

macOS 27 next to MacBook Pro Running macOS 27

Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents

Friday October 2, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
In a post on its developer news website today, Apple announced that it will be introducing "additional controls" for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS due to new risks posed by AI agents. This announcement comes amid the rise of always-on AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots, which have prompted privacy concerns. "Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could...
iOS 27 0 1

iOS 27.0.1 is Coming Soon

Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:06 pm PDT by
After releasing iOS 27 last week, Apple is already testing a follow-up iOS 27.0.1 update for iPhones, according to MacRumors logs. iOS 27.0.1 will likely be a minor update with bug fixes and/or security patches. Shortly after Apple launches new iPhone models, some software bugs are usually discovered as the devices get into the hands of millions of customers around the world. This year, so...
Face ID iPhone 18 Pro

Apple Confirms iPhone 18 Pro Bug Fix Update is Coming Next Week

Thursday September 24, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple has confirmed to 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo that it plans to release a software update early next week with a fix for a Face ID issue affecting some iPhone 18 Pro users. Yesterday, we reported that Apple is testing iOS 27.0.1, which is likely to be the update with the...

Top Rated Comments

19 weeks ago

On the Mac, macOS 27 adds the Markup tools to the Notes and Freeform apps.

[] [/]
Maybe this is pointing to a new MacBook getting Pencil support? 🙏
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 weeks ago

Interesting. Got a link? Even if it's built into the glass, I'm inclined to think there's thickness penalty somewhere, maybe in the glass itself. Pretty rare that something can be added for free.
“In his latest post on X (Twitter) ('https://x.com/mingchikuo/status/1968249865940709538'), Kuo writes that Apple's much-rumored OLED MacBook Pro will incorporate a touch panel using on-cell touch technology. On-cell touch technology integrates the touch sensors directly into the display panel's top layer (the "cell") rather than requiring a separate, dedicated touch layer.”
https://www.geekwebguides.com/2025/09/17/kuo-2026-oled-macbook-pro-touch-panel/

I’m pretty sure the OLED iPad pros over the last couple years have all used this technology, and as you know, switching from mini LED to OLED still allowed them to shave off of over a millimeter in thickness.
So either way, the smaller size requirements of OLED compared to mini LED will allow the display to be even thinner if Apple so chooses, touch or not.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 weeks ago

I don't know if Pencil support is likely, but even if it's just touch, the display will likely need to get thicker due to the touch layer. And either way I think there would also need to be a change in form factor. Especially if there's Pencil support, but even if it's just touch, the current traditional clamshell form factor isn't ergonomically conducive. My preference would be a "floating" design somewhat like the iPad Magic Keyboard, but more like a Surface Laptop Studio.
There will be no separate touch layer.
Apple has requested Samsung’s on cell tech for the 14 and 16 inch OLED MacBook pros, meaning that the touch layer is implemented directly into the display glass.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frosty001 Avatar
19 weeks ago

Maybe this is pointing to a new MacBook getting Pencil support? 🙏
More like the iPhone Ultra (dual screen) is getting Apple Pencil support...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 weeks ago
Nice to have it on the Mac. Small but can be a useful change.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 weeks ago

Honestly I think basic touch support is more likely. The screens are so thin on MacBook I’d almost be afraid to use the pencil . (Unless the new models drastically change that ofc)
I don't know if Pencil support is likely, but even if it's just touch, the display will likely need to get thicker due to the touch layer. And either way I think there would also need to be a change in form factor. Especially if there's Pencil support, but even if it's just touch, the current traditional clamshell form factor isn't ergonomically conducive. My preference would be a "floating" design somewhat like the iPad Magic Keyboard, but more like a Surface Laptop Studio.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
26 minutes ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
56 minutes ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
1 hour ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
3 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
3 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
4 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
8 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
8 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
9 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
9 hours ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
9 hours ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
10 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
10 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
15 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
16 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
17 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
18 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
18 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
20 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
21 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
21 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
21 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
21 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
1 day ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
1 day ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
1 day ago
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
1 day ago