How to insert sketches, photos, and scans from your iPhone on Mac

With the Continuity Sketch and Continuity Camera features, you can draw a sketch, take a photo, or scan a document using your nearby iPhone and have it appear instantly on your Mac, exactly where you want it, for example, in an email, note, or folder.

You can also mark up a file on your Mac with your iPhone using Continuity Markup. Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® turned on and the same Apple Account, and they need to be within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

Here’s how to insert sketches, photos, and scans from your iPhone on Mac.

Before you begin

Before you try this, check that all of the following are true:

• Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® turned on.
• You’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
• Your devices are within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.
• Both devices meet minimum system requirements for Continuity Camera, Continuity Sketch, and Continuity Markup.

Make sure your VPN’s configuration doesn’t prevent local networking if you’re using one, as that may interfere with some Continuity features.

Depending on where it’s inserted, you can mark up the photo or scan, or adjust other aspects, like cropping it or applying a filter.

Insert a sketch, photo, or scan from your iPhone

With Continuity Sketch, a sketch you draw on your iPhone can appear on your Mac. And with Continuity Camera, a photo you take or a document you scan on your iPhone shows up on your Mac.

1. On your Mac, Control-click where you want to insert the sketch or photo—for example, in an open window, like a note or email message.

   You can also Control-click the desktop or a folder in a Finder window.

2. Choose an option from the pop-up menu.

   You may need to click “Insert from iPhone or iPad” before seeing the options.

3. Do any of the following:
   • Add a sketch: On your iPhone, draw a sketch using your finger.
   • Take a photo: On your iPhone, take a photo and tap Use Photo or Retake.
   • Scan a document: On your iPhone, scan a document. Your iPhone detects the edges of the document and autocorrects any skewing of the image. If you want to adjust the area included in the scan, drag the frame or its edges. When you’re ready, tap Keep Scan or Retake. You can continue to scan documents until you’re done, then tap Save.

The sketch, picture, or scan appears on your Mac in the location you chose in step 1. And if you added it from the desktop or a folder, it’ll show up as a file.

You may be able to mark up the photo or scan, crop it, apply a filter, or adjust other aspects, depending on where it’s inserted.

Note: Scans you take on your iPhone don’t get saved on the device.

Use your iPhone to mark up a file on your Mac

With Continuity Markup, you can use your iPhone to add text, make drawings, and rotate and crop images, PDF documents, and more on your Mac.

1. On your Mac, click the desktop to open the Finder.
2. Control-click the file you want to mark up and choose Quick Actions. Choose Markup.

   The file opens.

3. In the toolbar, click the iPhone button or click the Markup button (the button may have an arrow next to it) and choose your device.
4. Use the Markup tools to draw, add text or shapes, and more.
5. When you’re done, tap Done on your iPhone.
6. To save your changes, click Done on your Mac.

If Continuity Camera, Continuity Sketch, or Continuity Markup aren’t working:

• Make sure you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices.
• Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
• Make sure that your devices are within 30 feet (10 meters) of one another.
• Make sure your device meets minimum system requirements for Continuity Camera.