If you use your iPhone to post about your business, design products, or communicate with customers, you’ve probably needed the ™ (Trademark) or ® (Registered Trademark) symbols at some point. These symbols show that a brand name, product name, or slogan is legally protected — or that you’re claiming rights to it.
The good news? You don’t need complicated keyboards or special apps. iPhone makes it surprisingly easy to insert both symbols across apps like Instagram, Messages, Email, Notes, Canva, and more.
This guide walks you through every simple method and includes copy-paste shortcuts you can use instantly.
How to Type the TM Symbol on iPhone
Here are four easy ways:
Option 1 — The Auto-Suggest Shortcut (Fastest)
- Type tm
- iOS will suggest ™ in the predictive text bar
- Tap to insert
(Works in Messages, Instagram, Notes, Email, etc.)
Option 2 — Use the Emoji Keyboard
- Tap the emoji icon on your keyboard
- Go to the Symbols section
- Scroll until you see ™
Option 3 — Copy & Paste It
Just copy this and paste anywhere:
→ ™
Quick. No keyboard setup required.
Option 4 — Create a Text Replacement Shortcut
Set it once — use forever:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Select Keyboard
- Tap Text Replacement
- Tap +
- Phrase: ™
Shortcut: ttm or tm.
- Save
Now typing your shortcut = ™ automatically.
How to Type the R Symbol on iPhone
Same idea — a few easy options:
Option 1 — Auto-Suggest via Text
- Type (r) or just r
- iPhone suggests ®
- Tap to insert
Option 2 — Emoji Keyboard (Symbols Section)
- Go to Emojis → Symbols
- Scroll down to find ®
Option 3 — Copy & Paste
Here you go:
→ ®
Option 4 — Use Text Replacement Shortcut
Repeat the same steps as above:
Phrase: ®
Shortcut: rr or r.
Recommended if you use ® often in branding materials.
How to Add ™ or ® in Popular iPhone Apps
| App | How It Works |
| Instagram Bio | Paste ™ or ® directly — supported by the app |
| Instagram Posts | Same: predictive text or paste |
| Messages / WhatsApp | Auto-suggest works instantly |
| Notes / Email | Best place to store frequently used symbols |
| Canva / Logo Designers | Add via text field — works like any normal character |
| Safari / Website forms | Copy-paste if predictive doesn’t show up |
Tip: Create a Note containing ™ and ® for easy copy-paste whenever needed.
Typing TM and R on Mac
If you also work on a Mac:
| Symbol | Shortcut |
| ™ | Option + 2 |
| ® | Option + R |
These shortcuts work in all Mac apps — perfect for marketing content, packaging, slides, and branding files.
What Do TM and R Mean?
| Symbol | Name | When You Can Use It |
| ™ | Trademark | You don’t need registration — claim your brand rights publicly |
| ® | Registered Trademark | Only after government registration (e.g., USPTO) |
Quick tip:
You can use ™ the moment you start using a name publicly — before filing anything.
You should only use ® once your trademark is officially registered with the USPTO.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Matters |
| Using ® without registration | It’s illegal in many places — could result in penalties |
| Adding symbols in URLs | Browsers can break the link or show errors |
| Inconsistent branding usage | Looks unprofessional — especially on packaging |
| Using ® automatically after filing a trademark | Registration must be approved first |
If you’re unsure whether you can use ®, stick with ™.
Quick Copy Section (Bookmark This!)
Tap and hold to copy → paste anywhere:
™ Trademark Symbol
® Registered Trademark Symbol
FAQ: Trademark Symbols on iPhone
Can I use ™ on my iPhone without trademark registration?
Yes — ™ can be used right away as a claim to your brand.
Do these symbols look the same to Android users?
Yes. They are standard Unicode characters across devices.
Why doesn’t ™ show up in my Instagram bio?
Try pasting instead of typing. Instagram may not always suggest symbols automatically.
Can I use ™ in all caps?
Yes, ™ works with any name style, like BRAND™.
Should I add ™ or ® to my logo image?
You can — but consider keeping a version without it for flexible use.
Is this the same symbol used globally?
Yes — ™ and ® are recognized internationally, though laws differ by country.
Final Thoughts
Using ™ and ® correctly sends a clear message:
– Your brand matters
– You are protecting your identity
– Others should think twice before copying
Now you know exactly how to type both symbols in any iPhone app — quickly and confidently.
