Where to find text color options on iPhone

You can change text color in three main places on your iPhone: in the Notes app, in the Reminders app, and in some third-party apps like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. The built-in iPhone apps have color options built directly into their formatting menus. If you're using a different app, the steps will vary, but most follow a similar pattern of selecting text first, then tapping a formatting or color button.

Apple's own apps make this straightforward because the color tools are always in the same spot once you know where to look. Third-party apps sometimes hide the color option under a paintbrush icon, a palette icon, or a menu labeled "Format" or "Style." The method depends on which app you're using, so this guide covers the most common scenarios.

Key Takeaways

  • In Notes, select your text, tap the paintbrush icon in the formatting menu, and choose a color from the palette that appears.
  • In Reminders, highlight text, tap the three dots, select "Text Color," and pick from the available colors.
  • Google Docs and Microsoft Word both use a text color button (usually marked with an "A" with a colored line underneath) in their toolbar.
  • Some apps do not support text color changes, so if you do not see a color option after selecting text, that app may not have the feature.

Changing text color in the Notes app

Open Notes and either create a new note or open an existing one. Type or select the text you want to change. If you're selecting existing text, tap and hold a word, then drag the selection handles to highlight all the text you want to color.

Once your text is selected, look at the bottom of the screen for the formatting toolbar. You'll see several icons: bold (B), italic (I), underline (U), and a paintbrush icon. Tap the paintbrush icon. A color palette will appear with options like yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, and gray. Tap the color you want. The selected text will change when ready to that color.

If you don't see the formatting toolbar, make sure you're in edit mode and that text is actually selected. Sometimes the toolbar only appears when you have text highlighted. You can also access text formatting by tapping the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of the note, though the paintbrush method is faster.

Changing text color in the Reminders app

Open Reminders and tap the reminder item you want to edit. Tap the text of the reminder to enter edit mode. Select the text you want to color by tapping and holding, then dragging to highlight it.

With text selected, tap the three dots (•••) menu button. Scroll down and tap "Text Color." A color palette will appear. Choose your color, and the text will update. Unlike Notes, Reminders doesn't show a paintbrush icon in a toolbar—the color option lives in the three-dot menu instead.

Changing text color in Google Docs

Open Google Docs on your iPhone and select the text you want to color. Tap and hold to highlight it, then drag the selection handles to include all the text you need.

With text selected, look at the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. You'll see an "A" with a colored underline—this is the text color button. Tap it. A color palette will open. Choose your color from the options shown. The text will change color when ready. If you want to change the background color instead (the highlight behind the text), look for a paint bucket or highlighter icon near the text color button and tap that instead.

Changing text color in Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word and select the text you want to change. Tap and hold, then drag to highlight all the text you need to color.

Tap the "Home" tab at the bottom of the screen if it's not already active. Look for an "A" with a colored line underneath it—this is the font color button. Tap it. A color palette will appear. Select your color. The text will change to that color right away. Word also offers a "Highlight Color" option (usually a marker or highlighter icon) if you want to add background color instead of changing the text itself.

What to do if text color isn't working

If you select text but don't see a color option, the app you're using may not support text coloring. Not every app on the iPhone has this feature. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm whether text color is available.

If you're in Notes or Reminders and the color button isn't showing, make sure you actually have text selected. The formatting toolbar only appears when text is highlighted. Try tapping and holding a word again, then dragging to select more text. If the toolbar still doesn't appear, try closing and reopening the app.

Some apps require you to be in a specific mode or document type to access formatting. For example, in Google Docs, you need to be editing a document, not just viewing it. Make sure you're in edit mode before looking for the color option.

Common mistakes when changing text color

The most common mistake is forgetting to select text before looking for the color button. If no text is highlighted, the formatting options won't appear or won't be active. Always select your text first by tapping and holding, then dragging to the end of the text you want to color.

Another mistake is looking in the wrong menu. In Notes, the color button is in the formatting toolbar at the bottom. In Reminders, it's in the three-dot menu. In Google Docs and Word, it's in the main toolbar. If you're searching in the wrong place, you'll think the feature doesn't exist when it's actually somewhere else in the app.

Some people also confuse text color with highlight color. Text color changes the actual letters themselves. Highlight color adds a background color behind the text, like a highlighter marker. Make sure you're tapping the right button for what you want to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change text color in the Messages app?

No, the Messages app does not support changing individual text color. You can use emoji, stickers, and effects, but you cannot color specific words or letters in a message. If you need colored text, you would need to type it in Notes or another app and then copy and paste it, though the color may not transfer when you paste into Messages.

Will the text color stay if I share the note?

Yes. If you share a note from the Notes app with someone else, the text colors will be visible to them. The same is true for Google Docs and Word—colors are preserved when you share or send the document. The color is part of the document itself, not just how it appears on your screen.

Can I use custom colors or just the preset ones?

Most iPhone apps offer only the preset color palettes built into the app. Notes, Reminders, Google Docs, and Word all show a fixed set of colors to choose from. You cannot create a custom color code or pick an exact shade. If you need a specific color, choose the closest option from the palette available.

What if I want to change the color of just one letter?

You can select a single letter by tapping and holding on it, then tapping once more to bring up the selection handles. Drag the handles to include only that one letter, then explore the color. The process is the same as coloring multiple words—just be more precise with your selection.

Does text color work on all iPhone models?

Yes, text color features in Notes, Reminders, Google Docs, and Word work on all iPhone models that support these apps. You do not need a newer iPhone to use text coloring. As long as your app is up to date, the color options will be available.