How to Use the Apple Freeform App on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

When it's time to visualize your ideas and concepts, Apple's Freeform whiteboard app is the perfect tool for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This powerful productivity app lets you brainstorm ideas yourself or share them with others using all the tools you need to bring your concepts to life.

How to set up Apple Freeform

To use the free Freeform whiteboard app, make sure your Apple device(s) are up to date. Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac will need to be updated to iOS 16.2 or iPadOS 16.2 or later. macOS is coming 13.1 or later.

On iPhone and iPad, you'll see the app icon on your Home screen. On Mac, you'll find it in the Applications folder or Launchpad.

1. When you open the app for the first time, you'll be asked if you want to enable iCloud sync. This allows you to access your boards on your other Apple devices. Select Go to Settings On your iPhone or iPad, open the app. "Settings". On Mac, open System Settings app.
   
2. Locate Apple ID Yours at the top. Choose "ICloud" Turn on the toggle switch for “Freeform”.
   
3. You may be asked Freeform Data Merge Local with those on iCloud. Select "to merge" to follow.
   

Once you have Freeform set up on your device, you will be ready to use its features.

Tip: If you are looking for a way toSign a PDF document on your Mac The Preview app will work more efficiently than Freeform. You can even use your iPhone or iPad to transfer your signature to your Mac.

How to Create an Apple Freeform Board

Create a board with a simple click or tap in Freeform:

1. Select the Create Board icon (a pencil in a square) at the top of the application window.
   
2. When the blank panel appears, you will see the default name. Untitled In the top left, you can change it. On iPhone, tap the three dots and choose "rename".
   
3. On iPad, tap the arrow next to the name and select "Rename".
   
4. On a Mac, select the existing text and replace it with your own.
   
5. You can use the zoom option in the bottom left to increase or decrease the canvas area. Use the zoom drop-down box or the plus and minus buttons to select a percentage.
   

How to add elements to a Freeform panel

With Freeform, you can add all kinds of elements to your board to collect and present your ideas. You can also adjust each element to fit the space, change the font, or choose a color.

Customization options are located in different places on mobile and desktop. On iPhone and iPad, these options are located in the item toolbar.

On Mac, you'll need to right-click the item to get additional options.

Add a sticky note

1. Locate Sticky Note icon In the toolbar to add a note to your board, then enter the text.
   
2. Drag a corner to change. Note size Or select it to drag it to a different location on the canvas.
   
3. Tap or click the note to open the toolbar, then choose a different color, create a list, or change the font format, alignment, or size.
   

FYI: Read on to learn more ways to add sticky notes on Mac.

Enter form

1. Locate Shape icon In the toolbar, select a shape to include on your board. You can choose from a category in the pop-up window, such as Basic, Geometry, Animals, Activities, and more. Alternatively, you can search for a specific shape using the magnifying glass icon.
   
2. Drag a corner to resize the shape or select it to drag it to a different location on the canvas.
   
3. Click or tap the shape to open the toolbar, then change the color, add a border, and format the text inside the shape.
   

Add a text box

1. Locate Text box icon In the toolbar and add text inside it.
   
2. Drag a corner or edge to resize the text box, or select it to drag and move it anywhere you want.
   
3. Tap or click the text box to display the toolbar, and then choose a font color, create a list, or adjust the font format, alignment, or size.
   

Insert images, videos, or links

1. Locate Media icon In the toolbar, add an image, video, or link. You can also insert a scanned document, use your device's camera, or Add a diagram From the Freeform app on your iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
   
2. Tap or click the media you want to add to display the toolbar and take additional actions:

• Pictures: Replace, crop, or display the image in full screen mode. You can also apply shadows, round corners, and lock the image in place.
• Read more: Replace the video or display it in full screen mode. Like photos, you can apply shadows, add rounded corners, and lock its position.
• Link: Edit the link, open it in your browser, duplicate the link, or lock its position on the panel.
  

add file

1. On iPhone and iPad, tap the media icon and choose Insert from To add a file.
   
2. On a Mac, click the Choose File icon to add your file.
   
3. Once you've located and inserted a file, select it to take additional actions. You can replace the file, view it in full screen, lock its position, or add a description.
   

Use the description

1. On iPhone and iPad, you'll notice the markup icon in the toolbar. Tap it to display markup tools like pen, marker, and eraser.
   
2. With Markup, you can also jot down text with your finger on iPhone or scribble with Apple Pencil On iPad.
   

Other Apple Freeform board options

You can also copy a board, make it a favorite, hide the grid layout, export your board as a PDF, or print the entire Freeform board.

on iPhone , Open Board And press The three points At the top, then select procedure.

on iPad Click on the arrow next to Name of the painting And choose procedure.

In a system Mac , right click on Board To duplicate or favorite a board.

To export or print on a Mac, open the panel, select "a file" From the menu bar, choose one of the options.

How to Collaborate on the Apple Freeform Board

If what you need is to work on a board with someone else, Freeform provides a simple way to collaborate.

1. Open Board and select button Sharing in the upper right.
   
2. Before choosing a sharing method, you can adjust the permissions at the top of the sharing pop-up window. Select Only invited people can edit.
   
3. You'll see access and permissions settings along with an option to allow others to invite more people to the board. You can also edit these settings later.
   
4. Choose a person to send the board to in Messages, or choose an app like Mail, Slack, or another option, depending on your sharing settings, to share the board.
   

Edit Apple Freeform panels

After you share a board with others, you can manage board permissions, invite others, or stop sharing the board.

1. Select the collaborator(s) icon in the top left and choose Shared Dashboard Management.
   
2. You can use the plus sign to invite more people, adjust permissions near the bottom, and allow collaborators to add more. Additionally, you can copy a link to the board or stop sharing it with the options below Settings.
   

How to manage Freeform panels

Each time you open Freeform, you'll see all your boards front and center so you can select one to work on. On the left side of your iPad or Mac, or using the arrow on your iPhone, you can also choose from Recents, Shared, and Favorites. If you've removed boards, you'll also see your deleted boards, which remain available for up to 30 days.

1. To see additional actions on iPhone and iPad, press and hold a tile, or on Mac, right-click. The board. you may Rename the board Or preferيFor her or Share it Or repeat it Or Delete it.
   
2. On a Mac, you can also easily switch between your panels by displaying the tab row at the top, similar to Safari. Select View -> Show Tab Bar in the menu bar.
   
3. Click the plus sign on the far right tab to create a new panel and switch between open panels using tabs.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is there a Freeform app?
The answer: Unfortunately, there is no Home screen or Freeform widget available for Notification Center yet for iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Hopefully, this is a feature Apple will introduce in the future.

Q2: Can I delete the Freeform app?
The answer: You can uninstall the Freeform app on iOS or iPadOS just like you would any other app. However, as of this writing, you cannot uninstall the app on macOS.

Q3: Is Freeform Available on Windows?
The answer: Unfortunately, the Freeform app is not available on Windows at the time of writing.