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dlp502
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iPhone 18 Pro photo editor missing pen, pencil, and eraser tools

  1. I have an iPhone 18 pro using IOS 27.2. I'm trying to edit a photo by using Tools. I want to use the Pen to circle an item on a photo.
  2. The steps I used are the Edit at the bottom to the left of the delete (trash can). Then, I selected Tools. Then, I went to the top right where it shows the Pen and selected it. The only option it gives me is the yellow highlighter. So, I'm missing the Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Ruler and the Coor palette as other options to choose from. I did turn my phone off/on.
  3. Can anyone provide suggestions or solutions on what I need to do?

Posted on Nov 8, 2026 4:26 PM

3 replies

léonie
User level: Level 10 (205,585 points)

Nov 9, 2026 1:11 AM in response to dlp502

The Pencil, etc. are not a part of the Tools menu in iOS27. The tools are mainly showing the artificial intelligence tools.


You have to use the Markup extension. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/119875 (in the paragraph "Photos"):


  1. Go to Photos and select the photo you want.
  2. Tap the Edit button. 
  3. Tap the Markup button. Tap the Add button to add text, shapes, and more.
  4. Tap the Done button, then tap Done again.



When only the one item is shown at first, the menu with Markup tools has been collapsed. Click this one item to reveal the complete list of all tools.

This seems to be a an unfortunate, unintended behavior.



Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Nov 10, 2026 7:00 AM in response to dlp502

It sounds to me like you are correctly choosing the Markup tool, but you're seeing this:

with only one pen visible-- is that right? That got me the first time.


You tap that and it opens the full set of tools:


Does that work for you?


By the way, turning your phone off and on doesn't really do anything at all. If you want to reboot the phone try a forced restart: 

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

This is different from a simple Power Off. For me, the logo appears  5 or 10 seconds past the "slide to power off" message. Wait for the logo; don't do the slide thing. 

dlp502 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Nov 10, 2026 7:10 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thank you so much!! Why do they have to make everything so difficult? Why add the additional step when showing all the options works so much easier. lol

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256391053