Where to find text color settings on your iPhone
Text color on your iPhone depends on which app you're using and what you're trying to change. The iPhone's built-in apps like Messages, Notes, and Mail don't have a native text color picker — the color of your message text is set by your iPhone's theme (light or dark mode) and can't be changed within those apps themselves. However, if you're using a third-party app like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or a notes app designed for formatting, those apps have their own color tools built in.
The most common place people look for text color is in the Notes app, but Apple doesn't offer that feature there. If you need colored text in your everyday iPhone use, you'll need to either use a different app that supports formatting, or change your overall display settings to adjust how text appears across your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's built-in apps (Messages, Mail, Notes) don't let you change individual text color — text color follows your phone's light or dark mode setting.
- Third-party apps like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and specialized note-taking apps do have text color tools you can access from their formatting menus.
- You can change how all text appears on your iPhone by switching between light mode and dark mode in Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Some accessibility features like Smart Invert or Grayscale can change the appearance of text across your entire phone, though these are designed for vision needs rather than preference.
Changing text color in third-party apps
If you're using an app that supports text formatting — such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or a dedicated note-taking app — the text color tool is usually in the formatting menu. Open the app, create or edit your document, then select the text you want to change. Look for a toolbar with formatting options; the text color button often looks like an "A" with a colored line underneath it.
In Google Docs on iPhone, tap the three-dot menu, then select "Text" and look for the text color option. In Microsoft Word, select your text, tap the "Home" tab at the bottom, and tap the text color icon. The exact steps vary by app, so if you don't see a color option in the toolbar, check the app's help section or settings menu. Many apps hide the formatting toolbar until you tap into edit mode or select text.
Using light mode and dark mode to change text appearance
While you can't change individual text colors in Apple's built-in apps, you can switch between light mode and dark mode, which changes how all text appears on your screen. Light mode shows dark text on a light background; dark mode shows light text on a dark background. This is the closest option if you want to change the overall appearance of text across your iPhone.
To switch modes, go to Settings > Display & Brightness, then tap either Light or Dark. You can also set your iPhone to switch automatically at sunset and sunrise by tapping "Automatic" at the top. This won't give you custom colors, but it does change the contrast and appearance of text throughout your phone.
Accessibility features that change text appearance
Your iPhone has accessibility settings that can alter how text looks across your entire phone. These tools were designed for people with vision needs, but anyone can use them. Smart Invert reverses the colors on your screen, which can make text appear in different colors depending on the app. Grayscale removes all color from your display, turning everything to shades of gray.
To turn on Smart Invert, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Smart Invert. To turn on Grayscale, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters, turn on Color Filters, then select Grayscale. Keep in mind these settings affect your entire display, not just text, and they may make some apps harder to use if that's not their intended purpose.
Why Apple's built-in apps don't have text color options
Apple designed Messages, Mail, and Notes to be straightforward and consistent across all iPhones. By keeping text color tied to your phone's overall theme, Apple ensures that your messages look the same whether you're in light mode or dark mode, and that text remains readable no matter what. This design choice prioritizes readability and consistency over customization.
If you need more formatting control, Apple expects you to use a third-party app. This is why many people who regularly need colored text, bold formatting, or other styling options switch to Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or apps specifically built for note-taking with rich formatting.
Changing text color in email drafts
The Mail app on iPhone doesn't have a built-in text color tool for composing messages. If you need to send an email with colored text, you have two options: compose your email in a third-party app like Google Docs or Microsoft Word, then copy and paste it into Mail, or use a different email app that supports formatting, such as Gmail's app or Outlook.
When you paste formatted text from another app into Mail, the color may or may not transfer depending on the app and the recipient's email client. Plain text emails are the most reliable way to may support your message looks the same on any device, so colored text in email is less common than in documents or notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change text color in the Messages app?
No, the Messages app doesn't have a text color feature. Your message text color is determined by your iPhone's light or dark mode setting. If you need colored text, you'll need to use a different app and then share the content through Messages.
Does changing my iPhone to dark mode make text a different color?
Dark mode changes the background from light to dark and the text from dark to light, but it doesn't give you custom colors. Text in dark mode appears as white or light gray on a dark background, while light mode shows dark text on a light background. Both are designed for readability rather than color customization.
What third-party apps let me change text color on iPhone?
Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Notion, Evernote, and many other note-taking and document apps support text color. Open any of these apps, create a new document, select your text, and look for the text color tool in the formatting menu or toolbar.
Will colored text I create on my iPhone look the same on other devices?
It depends on the app. If you create colored text in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, it will sync across your devices and keep its color. If you copy and paste colored text into Mail or Messages, the color may not transfer because those apps don't support formatted text.