How to italicize text on an iPhone in 3 different apps

March 2024 · 4 minute read

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Italics can make all the difference when writing. 

Whether you're placing emphasis on a certain word, italicizing titles of works, or just jazzing up your notes with some formatting, the style often comes in handy.

While Apple still hasn't allowed for italics when sending text messages — where it would arguably be the most useful, so let's keep hoping the day will finally come — you are able to use it in the Mail, Notes, and Pages apps on your iPhone.

There are some small differences when italicizing words in the various apps, but it's easier than you may think.

Here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

How to italicize text on an iPhone in Mail

1. Open the Mail app.

2. Create a new message or reply to an email and type your text into the body of the email.

3. Select the word you want to italicize by double tapping the word. If you'd like to format two or more consecutive words, drag the blue lines on either side of the highlighted word to the left or right to select additional words.

If you want to select two or more consecutive words to be italicized, double tap one of the words and then drag the blue lines on either side of the highlighted word to select additional words. Christina Liao/Business Insider

4. Tap "BIU," which stands for bold, italics, and underline.

5. Tap "Italic."

This is how your text should look once you've tapped "Italic." Christina Liao/Business Insider

How to italicize text on an iPhone in Notes

1. Open the Notes app.

2. Type your text into a note.

3. Select the word you want to italicize by double tapping the word. If you'd like to format two or more consecutive words, drag the blue lines on either side of the highlighted word to the left or right to select additional words.

4. Tap "BIU."

5. Tap "Italic."

6. Alternatively, after you've selected your word(s), you can also tap on "Aa" above your keyboard.

You can also italicize word(s) in Notes by tapping on "Aa." Christina Liao/Business Insider

7. Tap "I" to italicize.

8. To return to your keyboard, tap on "X" to close the formatting options. If you're finished with your note, tap "Done."

Once you've added the italics, tap on "X" to return to your keyboard or "Done" if you've finished your note. Christina Liao/Business Insider

How to italicize text on an iPhone in Pages

1. Open the Pages app.

2. Type your text into a document.

3. Select the word you want to italicize by double tapping the word. If you'd like to format two or more consecutive words, drag the blue lines on either side of the highlighted word to the left or right to select additional words.

4. Tap the paintbrush icon at the top of your screen.

To italicize words in Pages, you'll have to tap the paintbrush icon to access the formatting options. Christina Liao/Business Insider

5. Tap "I" to italicize.

6. To return to your keyboard, tap on the down arrow next to "Text." If you're finished with your document, tap "Done."

Once you've added the italics, tape on the down arrow next to "Text" to return to your keyboard or "Done" if you're finished with your document. Christina Liao/Business Insider

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Christina Liao Freelance writer Christina Liao is a freelance contributor for Business Insider. Read more Read less

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