The ability to add shapes (squares, circles, etc.) to photos now had a solid gray shape and not the ability to circle or box a certain area of a photo. How do I change this?

It is still possible to do it on an iPhone. The problem is, that Apple has moved the controls and forgot to put labels below the controls. Initially they will look all the same.

When you add a shape, there are four circles below the picture.

From left to right:

1. The circle to the left lets you pick the colour and the transparency of the border.
2. The second circle determines the thickness of the border.
3. The third circle controls the color of the interior of the shape. Set its transparency slider to zero for an empty shape.
4. The rightmost circle determines the overall transparency.

So maddening and an unnecessary change by Apple in my opinion. The colour options are hidden but when you tap on black (bottom right) the other colours pop up and you select ‘no colour’ at the left a clear circle with red line through it. Then you also have to adjust the outline width of the shape.

All the colour options are hidden (bottom right) the other colours pop up and you select ‘no colour’ at the left a clear circle with red line through it AND in the sand spot you also have to adjust the outline width of the shape you select. A lot of unnecessary steps in my opinion. Hope this helps. Otherwise call Apple Support and they will walk you through the process.

1 (800) 263-3394

I’m sorry I’m really trying to make this work but I only see solid Square no matter what I do no more circles no more squares. It used to be super easy and now it does not work, I’m not the only one that’s having problems with this.

Hi Sam_Clemens,

We can help you with using Markup.

Here's some information on the options in Markup:

Use Markup on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Using the menu on the bottom of the screen when you're adding the shape, you can tap the shape's color and choose the option for an outline rather than solid shape.

Let us know if you found the right path.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

It used to be so simple to mark something with an outline to highlight something.

Now - for what ever reason - Apple decided to default to big solid gray symbols, unless you spend a lot of time to remove the fill and change the color of outline + width.

But as always, Apple knows what's best for the users - so now this is ruined...

When I choose add a shape, I get the blue dotted shape on the picture to where I can move it. There is no option to change color, and there is absolutely nowhere an option to change to outline!!!! I'm using iPhone 15 pro max! This is maddening, to say the least!

It was so simple before. There are WAY too many steps and every time I try it's just Trail & Error. EVENTUALLY I get it. Too many steps.

Gosh, this is a wonderful feature that’s not working at all for me I just see solid shapes now this is fairly new, and I used to see an outline. There is no option to select an outline? Jerry

efxdk ~ Tell Apple:

Feedback - Photos - Apple

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