How To Bold Text On Iphone?

Have you ever read a long message, email, or note on your iPhone and thought, “I wish I could make this part stand out”? Bold text is one of the easiest ways to highlight important information, improve readability, and give your writing more impact.

Yet, many iPhone users are unaware of just how many ways there are to bold text on iOS. From turning on system-wide bold fonts to formatting text in Notes, Mail, WhatsApp, or even social media apps, Apple gives you more control than you might expect. On top of that, there are creative tricks with Unicode, Markdown, and third-party tools that can take your text styling even further.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bolding text on an iPhone. We’ll explore system-wide settings, app-specific methods, pro tricks, and even accessibility advantages for people with vision needs.

Think of this article as your ultimate reference—whether you’re a student formatting notes, a professional writing work emails, or someone who just wants to spice up Instagram captions.

Why Bold Text Matters on iPhone

Before jumping into the “how,” it’s worth asking: why bold text at all?

• Better readability: Thicker fonts are easier on the eyes, especially on smaller iPhone screens.
  
• Clarity in communication: Bold emphasizes important points in emails, texts, and notes.
  
• Organization: Bold headings in Notes or reminders in Calendar can keep information structured.
  
• Creativity: Bold captions, social media bios, and styled messages add flair.
  
• Accessibility: Bold fonts are a core iOS feature designed for people with vision impairments.
  

In short, bold text is both practical and expressive—it helps your message stand out in a world filled with endless digital noise.

Method 1: Bold Text Across the Entire iPhone (System-Wide)

If you want all system fonts—menus, notifications, settings labels—to appear in bold, Apple makes it easy through Accessibility settings. This feature is especially useful for those who find the default thin text difficult to read.

Step-by-Step: Enable System-Wide Bold Text

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
   
3. Tap Display & Text Size.
   
4. Find Bold Text and toggle it on.
   
5. Your iPhone may prompt you to restart. Confirm.
   

Once the phone restarts, all system text—like icons, Settings menus, and app names—will appear in bold.

Pro Tip

System-wide bold is purely a visual change. It doesn’t affect how your messages appear to others. Your texts and emails will still display in the recipient’s default font unless you format them within the app.

Method 2: How to Bold Text in the Notes App

The Notes app is a favorite among students, professionals, and everyday iPhone users. Luckily, Apple included a full formatting toolbar so you can style text quickly.

Step-by-Step: Bold in Notes

1. Open the Notes app.
   
2. Tap to create a new note or open an existing one.
   
3. Highlight the text you want bolded.
   
4. Tap the Aa icon in the toolbar just above the keyboard.
   
5. Tap Bold (the “B” symbol).
   

Your text will immediately turn bold.

Example Use Cases

• Class notes → Bold headings like “Chapter 1: Introduction to Economics”.
  
• Grocery lists → Bold categories like “Vegetables” or “Snacks.”
• Personal journals → Bold key thoughts or daily priorities.
  

Method 3: Bold Text in the Mail App

Professional communication often requires emphasis. The Mail app lets you bold text easily.

Step-by-Step: Bold in Mail

1. Open Mail.
   
2. Start a new email.
   
3. Type your message.
   
4. Highlight the word or phrase.
   
5. Tap the formatting menu (arrow or “Aa” above the keyboard).
   
6. Choose Bold.
   

This works for entire sentences or just single words you want to highlight.

Best Practices for Email

• Use bold sparingly—only for action points, deadlines, or names.
  
• Avoid over-formatting, as too much bold can look unprofessional.
  

Method 4: Bold Text in Messages (iMessage/SMS)

Unlike WhatsApp, iMessage does not natively support bold or italic formatting. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.

Workarounds

• Unicode Bold Fonts: Copy and paste bold Unicode characters from a generator.
  
• Third-Party Keyboard Apps: Install custom keyboards that support bold.
  
• ALL CAPS: A low-tech alternative, though less stylish.
  

Example: Instead of sending “Meet me at 8,” you could send 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝟴 using Unicode bold.

Method 5: Bold Text in WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the easiest places to format text thanks to simple shortcuts.

Step-by-Step: Bold in WhatsApp

1. Open a chat in WhatsApp.
   
2. Type your message.
   
3. Add an asterisk * before and after the word/phrase.
   
   • Example: *hello* → hello.
     
4. Send, and the word appears bold.
   

Other WhatsApp Formatting

• Italics → _word_ → word
• Strikethrough → ~word~ → word
  
• Monospace → `word` → word
  

This makes WhatsApp perfect for casual but styled conversations.

Method 6: Bold Text on Social Media

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter/X don’t support rich formatting natively. But bold can make bios, captions, and posts pop.

Steps to Bold for Social Media

1. Use a Unicode text generator or third-party app.
   
2. Type your phrase.
   
3. Copy the bold version.
   
4. Paste it into your social media app.
   

Example

Instagram Bio:

• Normal: I love travel and food.
  
• Bold: 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱.

Method 7: Bold Text Using Markdown

Certain apps (Slack, Notion, Trello, and others) support Markdown formatting, a lightweight markup language.

• **bold** → bold
  

Markdown is great for productivity apps where you want quick styling without menus.

Method 8: Bold Text in Pages and Word

If you’re writing essays, reports, or formal documents, you’ll probably use Apple Pages or Microsoft Word on iPhone.

• Highlight the text.
  
• Tap B in the formatting toolbar.
  
• Save.
  

This works exactly like it does on desktop.

Method 9: Third-Party Keyboards and Apps

For those who want bold text across all apps, installing a custom keyboard may help. Options include:

• FancyKey
  
• Fonts Keyboard
  
• Cool Fonts
  

These allow typing in bold, italics, and decorative styles directly.

A Note on Security

Always choose reputable third-party apps. Some font apps request “Full Access,” which may raise privacy concerns. Compare tools carefully—like how users often debate  Incogniton Browser vs GoLogin when choosing between secure browsing solutions. Built-in Apple tools are safe and reliable, but third-party apps provide more customization at the cost of privacy risks.

Method 10: Accessibility Benefits of Bold Text

For users with low vision, bold text can dramatically improve the iPhone experience. Combined with larger text, zoom, or voiceover features, bold ensures accessibility for all.

To enhance further:

• Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text.
  
• Combine with Bold Text for maximum readability.
  

Bonus: Bold Text in Calendar, Reminders, and Safari

• Calendar & Reminders: Bold appears automatically in certain headings (e.g., event titles). Unfortunately, you cannot customize beyond system defaults.
  
• Safari: Some web apps or editors let you bold text via HTML or rich-text editors.
  

Advanced Tricks for Bold Text on iPhone

• Shortcuts App: Create an automation to convert highlighted text into bold Unicode and copy it automatically.
  
• Text Replacement: Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Create shortcuts like ;b → Unicode bold style.
  
• Combine Bold + Emoji: Pair bold with emojis for maximum impact in casual messages.
  

Common Issues and Fixes

• Notes Bold Option Missing: Update to the latest iOS.
  
• Unicode Fonts Not Showing Correctly: Some apps don’t support all characters. Use another generator.
  
• Third-Party Fonts Look Different on Android: Recipients may see odd spacing depending on their device.
  

Conclusion

Bolding text on an iPhone can mean two different things:

1. System-wide bold text that makes the entire phone easier to read.
   
2. App-specific bolding for emails, notes, messages, and social media.
   

Apple gives you plenty of built-in tools, but when those aren’t enough, Unicode tricks and third-party apps can give your text extra personality.

Whether you’re formatting a professional email, organizing class notes, or just trying to make your Instagram captions stand out, bold text on iPhone is an easy and versatile skill that can elevate your communication.

FAQ’s

Can I bold text in iPhone Messages?
Not natively. You’ll need Unicode fonts or third-party apps.

Does bold text work in all apps?
System-wide bold changes the iPhone interface, but formatting within apps depends on whether they support it.

Does bold text drain battery?
No. It’s just a different font weight, not a performance-heavy feature.

Can I undo bold text?
Yes. Simply toggle off Bold Text in Accessibility or remove formatting in-app.