The fastest way to add a ™ symbol on iPhone
The trademark symbol (™) is not on your iPhone keyboard by default, but you can add it in three ways: using the built-in text replacement feature, accessing it through the emoji keyboard, or typing it with a keyboard shortcut. The easiest method for most people is setting up a text shortcut so that a few letters automatically become the ™ symbol.
If you need the symbol right now and do not want to set anything up, you can hold down the period key on your keyboard and swipe to find the ™ symbol in the popup menu. This works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a text shortcut that turns a short code like "tm" into the ™ symbol automatically whenever you type it.
- The symbol lives in the emoji keyboard under the symbols section, accessible by tapping the smiley face icon on your keyboard.
- Holding the period key reveals a menu of symbols including the trademark symbol, which you can tap to insert.
- Once you set up a text shortcut, it works in any app on your iPhone — Messages, Mail, Notes, and everywhere else you type.
Create a text shortcut for the trademark symbol
This method is the most useful because once you set it up, typing the trademark symbol takes just a few keystrokes in any app. Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner.
In the Phrase field, type the ™ symbol. To get the symbol, open Notes or Messages, hold down the period key, and tap the ™ symbol when it appears. Copy it, then paste it into the Phrase field. In the Shortcut field, type something short like "tm" or "trade". Tap Save.
Now whenever you type your shortcut (like "tm") in any app, your iPhone will automatically replace it with the ™ symbol. If you want to type "tm" without it converting, just tap the suggestion that appears and reject it by tapping the X.
Find the trademark symbol in the emoji keyboard
Open any app where you can type, like Messages or Notes. Tap the keyboard, then tap the smiley face icon (or globe icon, depending on your setup) to open the emoji keyboard. Tap the symbols icon — it looks like "123" or a calculator symbol, depending on your iOS version.
Swipe left through the symbol pages until you see the ™ symbol. Tap it to insert it into your text. This method works but takes more taps than the text shortcut, so it is best if you only need the symbol occasionally.
Use the period key menu for quick access
This is the fastest way if you need the symbol once and do not want to set up a shortcut. Open any app where you type, then hold your finger on the period key (.) on the keyboard. A menu will pop up showing several punctuation marks and symbols, including the ™ symbol.
Tap the ™ symbol to insert it. Release your finger if the menu does not appear — sometimes you need to hold slightly longer. This method works on all recent iPhone models and does not require any setup.
Add the registered trademark symbol (®) the same way
If you need the registered trademark symbol (®) instead of the unregistered one (™), the process is identical. You can create a text shortcut for "reg" that converts to ®, find it in the emoji keyboard symbols section, or hold the period key to access it from the popup menu.
Some people set up multiple shortcuts — one for "tm" that produces ™ and another for "reg" that produces ®. This way you can type whichever symbol you need without hunting through menus.
Troubleshooting if the symbol does not appear
If the period key menu does not show the trademark symbol, make sure you are running iOS 13 or later. Go to Settings > General > About and check your iOS version. If you are on an older version, the symbol menu may not be available.
If you created a text shortcut and it is not working, open Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and verify the shortcut is there and spelled correctly. Make sure Auto-Correction is turned on in the same Keyboard settings — text replacement does not work if auto-correction is disabled.
If the emoji keyboard does not show the symbol, try closing and reopening the app you are typing in. Sometimes the keyboard needs to refresh to display all symbol options.
Why you might need the trademark symbol
The ™ symbol indicates that a word, phrase, or logo is a trademark — a brand name or mark used to identify a product or service. You might type it when writing about a brand name in a document, email, or social media post. The ® symbol means the trademark is registered with a government office, while ™ means it is claimed but not officially registered.
Most people do not need to use these symbols in everyday typing, but if you work in marketing, write product reviews, or manage social media for a business, setting up a text shortcut saves time and looks more professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the trademark symbol in app names or social media bios?
Yes, most apps and platforms accept the trademark symbol in bios, captions, and posts. However, some apps have character limits, so the symbol counts toward that total. Test it in your app to make sure it displays correctly before publishing.
Is there a difference between ™ and ®?
Yes. The ™ symbol means someone claims the mark as a trademark but has not registered it with a government office. The ® symbol means it is officially registered with a trademark office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Use ™ for unregistered marks and ® only for officially registered ones.
Will the text shortcut work in all apps?
Text replacement works in most apps, but some apps with custom keyboards or special text fields may not support it. It works reliably in Messages, Mail, Notes, Safari, and most social media apps. If it does not work in a specific app, try using the emoji keyboard method instead.
Can I delete a text shortcut if I change my mind?
Yes. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, find the shortcut you want to remove, swipe left on it, and tap Delete.
What if I want to type "tm" without it converting to the symbol?
When you type your shortcut, a suggestion will appear above the keyboard showing the trademark symbol. Tap the X next to the suggestion to reject it, and "tm" will stay as typed. You can also delete the shortcut if you no longer need automatic conversion.