How to draw and create images in Messages on iPhone

You can send messages with drawings, doodles, or Digital Touch gestures and effects. You can also use Image Playground to create and send images.

Digital Touch even lets you draw on a black background. And with Apple Intelligence, you can use Image Playground to create images directly in the Messages app, so there’s no need to switch to another app to make one.

Here’s how to draw and create images in Messages on iPhone.

Send a drawing or doodle

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. In a conversation, tap the Add button.
3. Swipe up, then tap Drawing.
4. Draw using the tools, tap the Done button and tap the Send button to send your image.

   

To draw on a black background, you’ll use Digital Touch, described below.

Create and send original images

To create images directly in the Messages app, use Apple Intelligence with Image Playground.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Start a new message or open a conversation.
3. Tap the Add button, then tap Image Playground.
4. Do one of the following:
   • Create a new image: Tap Create at the top, follow instructions to create an image. Tap the Done button.
   • Select an image you previously created: Tap Gallery at the top and select your image. Tap the Done button.
5. Tap the Send button to send your image.

Screen Time settings include a way to block access to image creation features, like Image Playground.

Send a Digital Touch gesture, animation, or effect

With Digital Touch, you can send animated sketches, taps, kisses, heartbeats, and more, on their own or as an effect on a photo or video. You need iMessage to use Digital Touch.

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. In a conversation, tap the Add button.
3. Swipe up, tap Digital Touch, and then do one of the following:
   • Send an animated gesture: Tap or touch and hold with one or two fingers.

     Your gesture is sent automatically when you finish it. Touch and hold the color dot to choose a color for the one-finger taps.

     Note: If you have Apple Watch or another sensor that records heartbeat data, Messages may use the recorded data when you touch and hold with two fingers to send a heartbeat.

   • Send an animated drawing: Draw with one finger.

     You can change the color, then start drawing again.

   • Add an effect to a new image: Tap the Camera button. Then tap the Take Picture button to take a photo or the Record Video button to record a video.

     To take a new photo or video, or to erase anything you draw on your preview, tap the Back to Preview button.

4. Tap the Send button to send your drawing or image, or tap the Close button to delete it.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.