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

While the Notes app is excellent and has useful collaboration capabilities, there was one omission. To address the need, Apple has released the Freeform app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac which is a simple whiteboard tool. This post will teach you how to use the Apple Freeform on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Apple’s Freeform App

Freeform’s simplest configuration is an infinite whiteboard on which you and a number of other users may write, type, or draw. Consider it a never-ending piece of paper on which you and your friends/coworkers may write. However, it is not confined to endless scribbling. Freeform also includes stickers, shapes, and the ability to load documents, photographs, and movies directly into the board.

Because it’s intended to be collaborative, Apple has also made FaceTime easy to use, with the option to call directly from the Freeform app. Sharing boards are also made easier by the integration of Messages, which allows you to drag a board into a Message thread to invite others to contribute. While working on the board with pals, the app displays the changes they make in real-time so you don’t lose sight of what’s going on.

What Apple has always excelled at is making its user interface (UI) simple to learn and operate. This is also true with Freeform. There isn’t much of a learning curve, and you can use the app right away. Importing photographs, pasting sticky notes, and adjusting brush strokes and colors are all straightforward, making Freeform not only simple but also entertaining to use.

Prerequisites for Using the Freeform App

To use Freeform, you’ll need at least one of the following devices:

1. iPhone with iOS 16.2 or later.
2. iPad with iPadOS 16.2 or later.
3. macOS Ventura 13.1 or later is required.

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

When you launch the app for the first time, you will get a welcome message. To make your first board, tap Continue.

Now comes the fun part: the canvas, where you may take notes, make plans, and work with others. Grids are enabled by default on the board, page, or project (whatever you choose to name it).

On the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see All Boards, Recents, Shared, and Favorites.

To hide the grid, click View and select Hide Grid.

Hide Grid

1. How to Add Sticky Notes on Freeform App

Tap the Note symbol on your board. A colorful square note will appear right away.

To begin typing, double-click it. The toolbar bar above the keyboard allows you to change the font size, style, and text alignment. You can also make lists if necessary. When you’re through writing, press the return key.

2. How to Add Shapes to the Freeform Board

Tap the Shape (second icon) to access a wide range of shapes and icons neatly organized into categories.

Shape

Select the shape you like and drop it on the board.

Choose any shape

Change the shape’s appearance: Then, tap the Shape icon.

• Change its color (you can even use the picker tool for the desired tool).
• Add a border in the desired color and thickness.
• Text size, color, position, and so on can all be changed.
• Duplicate.
• Delete.

3. How to Add Text Box in Freeform

This one is quite straightforward. Click the Text box (center icon) and drag it to the appropriate location. Next, drag the blue dots in and out to resize and double-tap to input text.

Text

Tap on the text box for more options to:

• Change text color
• Text style
• Font size
• Alignment
• Dots

4. How to Insert Photos, Videos, Documents, & Links Into a Freeform Board

Tap the Media icon.

Media

From here, you can insert the following objects:

• Photos or Videos
• Link
• Take Photo
• Scan Documents
• Add Sketch

5. How to Draw in Freeform on iPhone and iPad

Tap the Markup.

Markup

The standard set of tools will be available for your use (except that you cannot sign papers here). Draw with the tool of your choosing.

That’s all. These were the basic use of the Apple Freefrom app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. To begin with, there are a lot of features in Freeform, but a heart wants what it desires, right? While the software is great, minor things like tags, mentions, smart folders, and other features found in Notes and Reminders are badly missing.

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