Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Guides

How to use Continuity Markup and Sketch

By

With Apple’s Continuity features for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, you can seamlessly move to another device, continuing where you leave off. This includes things like AirPlay, Handoff, AirDrop, and Universal Clipboard.

To make the most of it, though, you need to know how to use Continuity Markup and Continuity Sketch. With Markup, you can use your iPhone or iPad to make annotations and markups on a document or image and have it display on Mac. With Sketch, you can create a drawing on your mobile device that pops into a document on your Mac.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Mac computer

  • iPhone (optional)

  • iPad (optional)

Requirements for Continuity Markup and Sketch

To get started, make sure that you’re using compatible devices. You can check Apple’s list for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac you use. Then, confirm that you have the following in place:

  • You’re signed into iCloud on all devices using the same Apple ID.
  • You have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
  • Your iPhone is running iOS 13 or later.
  • Your iPad is running iPadOS or later.
  • Your Mac is running MacOS Catalina or later.

If you have everything in order, it’s time to put these continuity features to work! You can use the features in Apple’s apps like Notes, Messages, Mail, Pages, and TextEdit. Some third-party apps also support these continuity features.

How to use Continuity Markup

Have you ever wanted to sign a PDF or annotate an image with your iPhone or iPad, but use it on your Mac? Continuity Markup is the ideal tool for bringing markups from your mobile device to your computer.

Step 1: Select the item you want to mark up in Finder on your Mac.

Step 2: Press your Space Bar to open a preview and click the Markup icon in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can right-click the item and select Quick Actions > Markup.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac finder quick actions
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: In the Markup toolbar at the top, click the Annotate button. If you have more than one connected device, choose the one you want to use.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac finder annotate device
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: The Markup window will automatically open on the device you select. You can then use your finger or Apple Pencil to make your annotations. In this example, we’re using an iPad.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac ipad window
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: You’ll see the same Markup tools as if you were using Markup without the continuity feature. Select a pen, pencil, or marker, choose a color, or use the plus sign to insert text, a signature, or shape.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac ipad add rectangle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: As you mark up the document or image on your iPhone or iPad, you’ll see the changes in real time on your Mac.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac rectangle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 7: When you finish, tap Done on your mobile device.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac ipad add rectangle done
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 8: To save the changes, click Done on your Mac.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac rectangle done
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to use Continuity Sketch

If you like drawing items on your iPhone or iPad for use on your Mac, this feature is for you. You can request the sketch using your Mac, create it on your mobile device, and then use it on MacOS for whatever you like.

Step 1: Open the app where you want to insert the sketch and do one of the following:

  • Go to File > Insert from iPhone or iPad > Add Sketch from the menu bar.
  • Go to Insert > Insert from iPhone or iPad > Add Sketch from the menu bar. This applies to Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
  • Click the Media button in the toolbar to select Add Sketch for the device.
how to use continuity markup sketch mac pages add
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: The Sketch window will automatically open on the device you select. Then use your finger or Apple Pencil to draw your picture. We’re using an iPad for this example as well.

You have most of the same tools as in the Markup window. Choose a pen or pencil, change the color, or use the undo and redo arrows. When you finish, tap Done on your mobile device.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac ipad tap done
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Unlike Continuity Markup, you won’t see the progress of your drawing on Mac. You’ll only see the finished product after you tap Done on iPhone or iPad.

how to use continuity markup sketch mac pages add done
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Continuity Markup and Continuity Sketch are convenient tools for annotations, signatures, or drawings. You can have your Mac work with your mobile devices to get the exact documents or images you need.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Computing Writer
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, Lifewire, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog…
Best iPad deals: Save on iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini
iPad Pro 2020 Screen.

If you’re in the market for some tablet deals the Apple iPad is a great tablet to turn to. The iPad frequently makes some of the best Apple deals you’ll find, and it sometimes even turns up better savings than Samsung tablet deals, Amazon Fire tablet deals, and even Kindle deals. There are quite a few iPad deals out there right now, and we’ve rounded up all of the best iPad deals below. They include a massive discount on the iPad Air M1 as well as a couple of price drops that came with the recent release of the iPad Pro M4, which is also seeing a surprising discount right now. With any iPad purchase you’ll get access to Apple’s software ecosystem so if you’re looking for some complementary devices you should also check out AirPods deals, iPhone deals, and MacBook deals for some additional Apple savings.
Apple iPad 10.2 (9th Gen) (64GB Wi-Fi) -- $249, was $329

Apple's A13 Bionic chip is no M1 or M2, but it still offers 64-bit architecture and neural engine support for excellent performance. In other words, this 10.2-inch iPad is incredible value. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display, 64GB of storage, supports Touch ID and Apple Pencil (1st Gen), and it's size, plus all-day battery life make it an excellent choice for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle.

Read more
Apple did the unthinkable with the new M4 chip
Apple introducing the new M4 chip.

Apple is doing something crazy with its new M4 chip. Although we're used to seeing new Apple silicon debut in Macs, Apple is bringing the M4 chip to the new iPad Pro first. The updated chip, which comes with an entirely new CPU architecture, builds on the GPU found in the M3 chip with ray tracing, mesh shading, and Apple's special Dynamic Cache.

With the M4, Apple says the new iPad Pro can deliver the same performance as a thin-and-light PC while using only a quarter of the power. That's due in no small part to the 3nm architecture the chip uses. The power envelope, according to Apple's claims, is all the more impressive considering the iPad Pro doesn't have any active cooling.

Read more
Apple has backed itself into a corner
Apple iPad Pro 11 with Apple Magic Keyboard.

Apple is rumored to finally be updating its new iPads at its forthcoming May 7 event. While this may come as a relief to anyone who’s been patiently waiting to upgrade their iPad Pro or iPad Air, a new report has thrown the whole situation into confusion.

That’s because the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claims that the upcoming iPad Pro will contain an Apple M4 chip. On first blush, that doesn’t seem all that unusual -- the iPad Pro has come with an Apple silicon chip for years, after all. But here’s the wrinkle: this launch plan would mean the iPad will get an M4 chip before the Mac, and that has all kinds of weird implications. By delaying the iPad for so long, it looks like Apple has left itself with a very odd update cycle for its chips this time around.
The end of the M3 Ultra?

Read more