The buzz surrounding Apple’s new app, Freeform, has been deafening. So, what is Freeform app on iPhone? As iPhone users constantly seek more innovative ways to express and collaborate, Apple’s Freeform offers a platform to sketch, brainstorm, and bring creative ideas to life.
Freeform is a digital whiteboard that allows you to add text, drawings, images, PDFs, web links and more. With Freeform, Apple has yet again raised the bar, providing an intuitive platform for users to collaborate and bring their creative visions to life.
If you’ve spotted this app on your iPhone and wondered about its capabilities, read on.
Key Takeaways
- Freeform is a new app from Apple that acts as an infinite digital whiteboard for creativity and collaboration.
- It’s included free with iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Add drawings, text, images, PDFs, links, and other content to Freeform boards.
- Tools allow you to draw with your finger or Apple Pencil with multiple pen and shape options.
- Boards sync across all devices through iCloud and support real-time collaboration.
- Great for brainstorming, meetings, presentations, note taking, projects, and creative uses.
- Share boards easily via Messages or links to invite team members and collaborate.
- Get started on your iPhone by downloading Freeform from the App Store and starting a new board.
What is Freeform App on iPhone?
Freeform is Apple’s latest tool designed to bring creativity to your fingertips. Integrated into iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, Freeform offers a dynamic platform to sketch, brainstorm, and collaborate. It functions as a virtual whiteboard, offering tools that allow you to add text, create diagrams, and even invite others to join your creative journey.
Freeform boards are synced through iCloud to all your Apple devices using your Apple ID, so you can pick up where you left off whether you’re at your desk or on the go. It’s a great collaboration tool as well, allowing up to 100 people to work together on a single board.
Ways You Can Use Apple Freeform on Your iPhone
Here are some of the main ways you can use the new Freeform app on your iPhone:
Brainstorming and Project Planning
Freeform is perfect for brainstorming new ideas and planning out projects. You can create mood boards, jot down notes and to-do lists, sketch diagrams, and organize your thoughts visually in one shared space. The flexibility to add content anywhere without worrying about templates makes Freeform ideal for creative collaboration.
Collaborating with Team Members
Invite others to your Freeform board using a shareable link or by starting a Messages thread. Team members can then collaborate in real time, editing the board and interacting through integrated features like FaceTime calls and iMessage. Updates sync across all devices so you can pick up right where you left off.
Presenting and Teaching
Use Freeform to create colorful presentations and visual aids for teaching. Easily explain concepts by writing and drawing at the same time. You can also import slides, documents, images, and websites to supplement your Freeform content.
Note Taking
Many find digital whiteboards helpful for visual note taking during meetings and lectures. Freeform’s infinite canvas and variety of pen types make it great for this. And because boards sync across Apple devices, your notes go with you everywhere.
Creative Expression
With its array of drawing tools, Freeform works as a digital sketchbook for visually expressing yourself. Sketch designs, make artwork or layouts, or just doodle your thoughts on an endless canvas. You can even invite others into your creative space to collaborate.
Remote Work
Freeform facilitates remote collaboration with team members in different locations. Easily discuss projects and present work by starting a FaceTime call or Messages thread right on the board. And you don’t have to schedule time to meet in Freeform – with real-time syncing, everyone has access anytime.
Get Started with Freeform: The Powerful New App Designed for Creative Brainstorming on iPhone
Ever wondered, what is Freeform app on iPhone. Ready to start using this powerful new app from Apple? Here’s a quick guide to get up and running with Freeform on your iPhone:
- Make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 16.2 or later, which is when Freeform is available.
- Open the App Store and download the Freeform app. It’s free for all Apple users.
- Once downloaded, the Freeform app icon will appear on your Home Screen. Tap to open it.
- You’ll have the option to start a new blank board or join an existing Freeform board with a shareable link.
- To start writing or drawing, just tap anywhere on the infinite canvas. You can use your finger for sketching or shapes.
- Access the main menu to explore all the tools available, like pens, colors, and add-ins for content from other apps.
- Invite others to collaborate by tapping the share icon at the top and sending a link or starting a Messages thread.
- Boards automatically sync across all your devices through iCloud and the Apple Pencil experience is great on iPad.
And that’s all there is to it! In no time, you’ll be using Freeform on your iPhone for creative brainstorming, productive meetings, remote teamwork, and visual collaboration.
Freeform’s Drawing Tools: Sketch, Diagram, and More!
Freeform offers a set of drawing tools that cater to various creative needs. Whether you’re making a mood board or a quick sketch, Freeform has you covered.
With a variety of brush styles and color options, you can draw anywhere on the canvas without worrying about layouts or page sizes. Additionally, the shapes library and alignment guides make it easier to present ideas in an organized manner.
Pens and Markers
- Draw naturally with pencil and pen tools in various colors and widths.
- Highlighters and markers allow you to call out important points.
Lines and Shapes
- Add lines, arrows, various geometric shapes from the stencils menu.
- Draw circles, triangles, squares and more with smart shape recognition.
Diagrams and Illustrations
- Easily create diagrams, flowcharts, illustrations, and other graphics.
- Connect shapes and add text to build visual representations.
Alignment Guides
- Enable alignment guides from the view menu.
- Guides help keep drawings organized and properly spaced.
Ideation and Brainstorming
- Use pens, sticky notes, and text to dump thoughts on an infinite canvas.
- Visually organize with total creative flexibility.
With this versatile toolkit, Freeform provides limitless possibilities for bringing ideas to life through drawings and diagrams.
Use Freeform Boards: Your Canvas for Collaboration
Each board in Freeform is a shared space for creativity. You can create multiple boards, each catering to a specific project or idea. These boards can be shared, allowing real-time collaboration.
| Feature/Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| App Name | Freeform |
| Platform | iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1 |
| Key Function | Creativity and collaboration |
| Drawing Tools | Pens, highlighters, shapes, diagrams |
| Collaboration | 100 collaborators |
| Content Insertion | Images, PDFs, links, texts |
| Export & Sharing | Save as PDF, screenshot, share view |
| Integration | Photos, Safari, Files |
| Accessibility | iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Price | Free with the respective OS updates |
This means you can invite others to work with you, creating a dynamic brainstorming session where ideas flow freely.
How to Collaborate with Others in Real-Time?
From finding out the answer of what is Freeform app on iPhone, to using the collaboration board, we have got you covered. Freeform makes collaborating with others intuitive and seamless. Whether working together in person or remotely, you can quickly invite teammates and all contribute simultaneously.
Shared Link
- Generate a shareable link to provide access to your Freeform board.
- Simply copy and send the link to add collaborators.
- Set permissions to view only or allow editing access.
Collaborators Menu
- See all current collaborators and manage access in the collaborators menu.
- Revoke access or change user permissions as needed.
FaceTime Integration
- Start a FaceTime call directly within Freeform to discuss the board.
- FaceTime video window can be resized and moved around.
Real-Time Updates
- No need to manually refresh, all changes sync instantly.
- View the edits of others as they add content.
Activity Log
- Review all changes made by every collaborator in the activity log.
- See individual contributions and roll back changes.
With these features, Freeform enables true real-time teamwork with up to 100 collaborators working simultaneously on a shared board.
Does Freeform on iPhone Have an App on Other Apple Devices?
Yes, Freeform is available on both iPhone and iPad, and with macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple users can enjoy the Freeform experience on their Macbooks too.
The Freeform app provides a consistent experience across these platforms thanks to Apple’s ecosystem integration.
iPhone App
- Download the Freeform app from the App Store on iPhone models running iOS 16.2 or later.
- Optimized for touch with intuitive gestures and mobile-friendly collaboration features.
- All core Freeform features are available on iPhone.
iPad App
- Download Freeform on iPad models running iPadOS 16.2 or newer.
- Full Apple Pencil support unlocks more precise drawing capabilities.
- Large canvas makes Freeform on iPad ideal for group collaboration sessions.
Mac App
- Freeform is now available on Macs running macOS Ventura 13.1.
- Syncing ensures seamless transition between iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Mac version includes additional desktop-centric features like iCloud Drive integration.
No matter which Apple device you start on, you can easily pick up on any other device with syncing through iCloud. The core Freeform experience remains consistent across all platforms.
Transitioning from Old Apps: What Did Freeform Replace?
Freeform is a new addition to Apple’s suite of apps and doesn’t directly replace any existing app. It is designed to complement the existing ecosystem, providing a space for users to brainstorm and collaborate creatively.
Notes
- Freeform now offers much of the note taking and collaboration functionality of Apple Notes with the addition of more flexibility and visual creative capabilities.
Whiteboard
- Apple’s previous Whiteboard app for collaboration across devices has essentially been succeeded by Freeform, which improves upon it in many ways.
Advantages Over Whiteboard
- Infinite canvas without page constraints
- More drawing tools and options
- Ability to insert photos, PDFs, links, etc
- Real-time collaboration with 100 users
Group Activities in FaceTime
- The shared whiteboard feature in FaceTime is replaced by Freeform, which provides deeper collaboration tools.
Benefits Over FaceTime Whiteboard
- Persistent boards that are saved in Freeform
- More controls over sharing and editing access
- Ability to use Freeform without ongoing FaceTime call
Markup on Files
- While you can still annotate PDFs and images with Markup in Preview and other apps, Freeform provides more flexibility for notes and drawings.
Use Freeform For:
- Brainstorming sessions where you’re generating new ideas
- Ongoing iterative collaboration on a visual project
- An infinite workspace without confines of a single file
So in summary, Freeform takes key features from Notes, Whiteboard, FaceTime, and Markup while eliminating previous limitations. This creates an ideal digital space for unlocking team creativity.
Tips and Tricks to Use the Freeform App: Tutorial for iPhone Users
- Quick Access: Double-tap Freeform app icon for quick actions.
- Export Ideas: You can save your board as a PDF or take a screenshot.
- Collaborative Features: Use the Messages thread to quickly share boards and invite collaborators.
- Attachments: You can add links to websites, making Freeform a hub for all your resources.
- Customize Pens: Tap and hold on a pen to customize features like color, thickness, opacity and more.
- Resize Objects: Use two fingers to pinch and zoom to resize added sketches, shapes, text boxes and other elements.
- Paste Content: Copy text, images, PDFs, etc. from other apps and paste directly into Freeform.
- Add Pages: Use the + button to add additional pages to your Freeform for more space.
- Present Mode: Activate present mode for distraction-free presenting and drawing.
- Apple Pencil: Apple Pencil support on iPad provides a great drawing and writing experience.
- Share View: In share settings, choose to share your view so collaborators see your viewpoint.
- Sync History: View edit history to see all changes made by you and collaborators.
- Smart Shape Recognition: Draw rough shapes that snap into perfect lines, circles, triangles etc.
- Lock Boards: Tap the lock to prevent further changes to a completed board.
- 100 Collaborators: Up to 100 people can collaborate simultaneously on a single Freeform board.
- Real-Time Previews: See others’ additions instantly without needing to refresh or share updates.
FAQs
Is Freeform available on Android?
No, Freeform is an Apple app exclusive to iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS devices. There is no Android version.
How many people can collaborate on a Freeform board?
Freeform allows up to 100 collaborators to work together on the same board simultaneously.
Can I use Freeform offline?
While you need an internet connection to collaborate in real-time, any content you add will sync across devices when you reconnect online.
Is the Freeform App Free?
Apple’s Freeform comes free with the iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 update. There are no hidden charges, and it offers a comprehensive set of tools and features right out of the box.
Does Freeform integrate with other Apple apps?
Yes, you can open content into Freeform from Apple apps like Photos, Safari, and Files using drag and drop and other options.
Conclusion
That’s all for what is Freeform app on iPhone. Freeform offers a flexible and intuitive canvas for collaborating, brainstorming, and creating without limitations. Whether you’re an individual looking for a digital whiteboard or a team that needs to work together visually, Freeform makes it simple to put ideas into form.
With real-time syncing across Apple devices, intuitive creation tools, and easy sharing, Freeform removes friction so you can focus on big picture thinking. Download the Freeform app on your updated iPhone today to collaborate with others and turn ideas into reality in one shared space.
