Office Compatibility Issues

How to Change Pen Color and Thickness in OneNote on iPhone

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users are unable to adjust the pen color or thickness in the OneNote app, finding themselves restricted to only a red pen after a recent software update.

How to Change Pen Color and Thickness in OneNote on iPhone

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: iPhone
Scenario: Attempting to draw, annotate, or take handwritten notes using different ink colors and stroke thicknesses on a mobile device.
Observed behavior: The drawing options for pen color and thickness are missing from the interface, leaving only a default red pen available for use.

Before you start

Ensure your iPhone is connected to the internet and open the App Store to verify if there are any pending updates for your Microsoft Office apps.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the App and Verify Drawing Options

Installing the latest version ensures you have the most recent feature set and bug fixes, which can restore missing toolbar options.

Software updates often contain interface changes or bug fixes for toolbar glitches. Checking the official documentation and updating your app is the first step to recovering missing drawing options.

Check for updates

Open the App Store on your iPhone, tap your profile icon, and refresh the updates list. If an update for Microsoft OneNote is available, tap 'Update'.

Access the Draw tab

Launch the app, open an existing note or create a new one, and navigate to the 'Draw' tab located in the top menu ribbon.

Expand pen settings

Tap on the Pen tool icon. Look for a downward arrow or a color palette icon next to it, and tap it to reveal the color and thickness adjustment options.

Update the App and Verify Drawing Options

Platform Differences: Microsoft sometimes restricts certain drawing and inking features on the iPhone version compared to the iPad version. If the options remain missing, it may be a permanent design change by the developer.

Solution 2

Report the Missing Feature via Feedback Portal

If the pen color and thickness options were removed or bugged in a recent update, reporting it directly helps developers prioritize a fix.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience seamless note-taking and document editing with WPS Office

Frustrated by missing mobile features? WPS Office provides a comprehensive, lightweight suite for your iPhone. Easily annotate PDFs, edit Word documents, and take notes with fully customizable drawing tools—completely free.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office from the App Store and open the application on your iPhone.
2. Open a document: Create a new document or open an existing PDF to begin taking notes.
3. Use drawing tools: Tap the 'Tools' menu, select the 'Annotation' or 'Pen' tool, and choose from a wide variety of pen colors and thicknesses.

Fully customizable drawing and annotation tools for precise mobile note-taking.High compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF formats.Lightweight design that runs smoothly on all iPhone and iPad models.Seamless cloud syncing across your mobile devices and computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I only use a red pen on my iPhone note app?

This issue often occurs after a specific app update where the drawing toolbar interface experiences a glitch, or when certain customization features are temporarily disabled by the developer. Updating to the latest app version usually resolves interface display issues.

Are drawing features the same on iPhone and iPad?

No. Many developers, including Microsoft, include more advanced drawing, inking, and formatting tools exclusively on iPad versions to take advantage of the larger screen and Apple Pencil support.

How can I change the default pen color in mobile note-taking apps?

Typically, you can change it by tapping the pen icon a second time or tapping a small color wheel next to the selected pen tool under the Draw tab. If this menu does not appear, the app version may not support it.

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