The Photos app on the iPhone 14 doesn’t have a “border” or “frame” button, but you can still add a clean border to any picture without paying for an app. This guide shows four ways: the built-in Markup square trick, Pages or Keynote for precise borders, the Shortcuts app for a white border you can reuse, and third-party editors. Each method works on the iPhone 14 and other iPhones running iOS 16 or later.
Quick Answer
Open the photo in Photos, tap Edit, then the Markup (pen) icon. Tap +, choose the square shape, pick the thickest line and a color, and drag the square’s corners to the edges of the photo. Tap Done twice.
Method 1: Markup in the Photos App (Free, Built In)
- Open Photos and select the picture.
- Tap Edit, then the Markup icon (a pen tip) at the top right.
- Tap the + button and choose the square shape.
- Tap the shape-style button at the bottom left and choose the thickest outline. Leave it unfilled.
- Tap the color circle to choose white, black or any color.
- Drag the blue corner dots out to the very edges of the photo, so the outline sits over the edge.
- Tap Done, then Done again to save.
Want a thicker border? Add a second square just inside the first, in the same color. The edit covers the photo’s outer edge rather than adding space around it, so leave a little room around your subject. Photos keeps the original, so you can tap Edit > Revert to undo it later.
Method 2: Pages or Keynote (Precise Borders)
Pages and Keynote are free from Apple and let you set an exact border width and style.
- Open Pages and create a blank document, or Keynote with a blank slide.
- Tap + and the photo icon to insert your picture.
- With the photo selected, tap the paintbrush (Format) button, then Style.
- Turn on Border, choose a line or picture frame style, and set the color and width.
- To save it as an image, take a screenshot and crop it, or in Keynote tap More (⋯) > Export > Images.
Method 3: A Shortcut for White Borders
If you add borders often, the Shortcuts app can automate it. A basic shortcut uses Select Photos, then an image overlay or resize step onto a slightly larger white image, and Save to Photo Album. Building it takes some trial and error, and many free border shortcuts are shared online. Only install shortcuts from sources you trust, and review each action before running it.
Method 4: Third-Party Photo Editors
Free and paid editors in the App Store add borders in a tap, often with options for Instagram-friendly square or 4:5 frames, rounded corners and colored or blurred backgrounds. Search for “photo border” or “frame,” check recent reviews and privacy details, and watch for subscriptions that start after a free trial.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| Quick border, no downloads | Markup |
| Exact width or decorative frame | Pages or Keynote |
| Same white border on many photos | Shortcuts |
| Border that adds space around the photo, for social media | Third-party editor |
Tips
- White borders suit prints and social posts; black borders give a gallery look.
- Crop first, then add the border, so the border follows the final shape.
- Duplicate the photo first (Share > Duplicate) if you want to keep a version without the border side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone have a built-in border feature?
Not as a dedicated button at the time of writing. Markup’s square shape is the closest built-in option.
Will the border lower the photo’s quality?
Markup saves the edit at the photo’s original resolution. Screenshots from Pages or Keynote are limited to your screen’s resolution, so export from Keynote for the best quality.
Can I remove a border later?
Yes. Open the photo, tap Edit > Revert to return to the original.
Summary
- Photos > Edit > Markup > + > square shape.
- Choose the thickest line and a color.
- Stretch the square to the photo’s edges and save.
- Use Pages, Keynote, Shortcuts or an editor app for more control.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.