Having given a long spin to the Apple Freeform app, I have come out impressed with the app. Even though it may not be the most feature-packed drawing or sketching app out there, it’s got all the bases covered to be your go-to desk. So, if you have upgraded to iOS 16.2 or later and looking for ways to get the most out of Freeform, this exhaustive roundup has got you fully covered. On this very note, let’s jump right in to explore the 46 best tips and tricks to use the Apple Freeform app on iPhone and iPad like a pro.
Best Tips & Tricks to Get the Most Out of Apple Freeform App on iPhone and iPad
In this massive roundup, I have made sure to cover every nifty hack that can enable you to make the most of Freeform. Whether you want to customize the sticky notes, lock your web links, or keep all your boards perfectly organized, the guide has ensured nothing goes out of your sight.
1. Export Freeform Project As PDF
There are multiple reasons why you may need to export Apple Freeform project as PDF. Thankfully, Apple has offered a built-in PDF converter to let you get the job done with utmost ease.
- Simply, open the Freeform app -> head over to the project that you want to convert into PDF, and then tap on the triple-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Finally, choose Export As PDF in the menu and then choose the desired medium through which you would like to share the exported document.
2. Sync Apple Freeform with iCloud
Surprisingly, Apple Freeform does not sync with iCloud by default. However, you can choose to enable syncing depending on your needs.
- To do so, head over to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad -> Apple ID banner -> iCloud -> Show All.
- Now, find Freeform and then turn on the toggle right next to it.
Notably, the Freeform app also offers a neat way to collaborate with others on projects. Perfect for times when you want to work in sync with your friends and colleagues.
- To get it done, open the Freeform app -> head over to the project that you want to share -> tap on the Share icon at the top, and then choose the desired medium to share the project.
Thanks to the dedicated Shared section, it’s easy to keep a track of all the shared boards.
- Launch the Freeform app on your iPhone or iPad -> tap on Shared to access all the boards that you have shared.
People you invite can make changes to your boards. However, you have the freeform to manage the share options.
- Open the Freeform app -> Shared section -> touch and hold the board in question -> choose Manage Shared Board in the menu.
- Now, tap on Share Options.
- After that, make the needed changes -> tap on the back button at the top left corner of the screen.
- Make sure to tap on Done at the top right to confirm.
6. Manage Sharing Options for Specific Participant
The Freeform app also offers the flexibility to manage the sharing options for a specific person.
- Open the Freeform app -> Shared section -> touch and hold the board in question -> choose Manage Shared Board in the menu.
- On this screen, you should see all the people with whom you have shared the board. Tap on a specific person and then allow/disallow the person to make changes to the board and also add people.
- Then, tap on the back (<) button at the top left corner of the screen and hit the Done button at the top right corner of the screen.
Later, if you ever don’t want to share your Freeform board with anyone, you can remove access with ease.
- Open the Freeform app -> Shared section -> touch and hold the board in question -> choose Manage Shared Board in the menu.
- On this screen, you should see all the people with whom you have shared the board. Tap on a specific person.
- Tap on Remove Access.
8. Stop Sharing a Board with Anyone
At any time, you no longer want to share your board with anyone, you can easily stop sharing the board.
- Open the Freeform app -> Shared section -> touch and hold the board in question -> choose Manage Shared Board in the menu.
- Tap on Stop Sharing and confirm.
9. Scan Document Using Freeform App
Interestingly, the Freeform app also comes with a handy document scanner to let you scan documents.
- To use this feature, launch the Freeform app -> open a board, and then hit the image icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Next, choose Scan in the menu.
- After that, scan the document as usual.
10. Insert a Photo or Video into Your Board
Inserting a photo or video into a board is as easy as it can ever get.
- Simply, open a board and then hit the image icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- After that, tap on Camera in the menu. Then, use your device camera to snap an image or record a video, and then hit Use Photo/Video and you are good to go!
11. Insert a File from the File Manager App into a Board
Inserting a file from the stock file manager app into a board is just as smooth sailing.
- All you need to do is just open a board and then hit the image icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and choose Insert from in the menu.
- Now, you will have full access to the Files app. Navigate to the file you want to attach -> select it, and you are all set!
12. Insert a Web Link to Your Board
One of my favorite features of the Apple Freeform app is the ability to add a web link to a board. It comes in handy for adding a reference.
- To do so, copy a web link and then open a board.
- After that, hit the image icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and choose Link.
- Then, paste the web link into the menu and hit Insert.
13. Add a Sticky Note to a Board
Another notable feature of the Freeform app is the ability to add a sticky note. Save it for times when you would like to add important information.
- Just open a board and then hit the Stick Note icon at the bottom left corner of the screen to add a sticky note. Then, drag it to the desired spot.
- After that, double-tap in the middle of the sticky note to bring up the software keyboard and then use the keyboard to input the text.
- Notably, you can also use the dictation feature to add text. Just tap on the microphone icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and then speak the text that you would like to add.
- In the end, make sure to tap on Done at the top right corner of the screen to finish.
14. Lock Your Sticky Note
Do you know that you can also lock the sticky notes in the Apple Freeform app? So, if you don’t want anyone to make changes to the sticky notes, make the most of this neat feature.
- Open the board in question and then hit the sticky note that you wish to lock.
- After that, tap on the triple-dot icon at the bottom of the menu.
- Then, choose Lock in the menu to lock the stick note.
For more info, check out the video below:
15. Lock the Web Link
Better still, there is also a way to lock the web link to prevent anyone from making changes to it without your permission.
- To do so, tap on the web link and then hit the tiny triple-dot icon in the menu.
- After that, choose Lock in the menu and you are good to go!
16. Unlock Your Sticky Note/Web Link
In order to make changes to the sticky note or web link, you must unlock it.
- Tap on the sticky note/web link and then hit the triple-dot icon at the bottom.
- After that, tap on Unlock in the menu.
17. Describe Your Sticky Note
You can add a brief description to your sticky note which is used by assistive technology such as VoiceOver.
- To describe your sticky note, open the board in question -> tap on the sticky note -> tap on the triple-dot icon -> choose Description in the menu.
- After that, write the description for your sticky note.
18. Customize the Text of Your Sticky Note
For a more personalized experience, you would love to customize the text of your sticky note.
- Just tap on the sticky note and then hit the Aa text icon.
- After that, you can increase/decrease text, bold the text, underline it, or align it as per your need.
19. Change the Color of Your Sticky Note
Though yellow is the default color of the sticky note, you can change its color in line with your preference.
- Tap on the sticky note in question and then hit the color icon in the menu.
- After that, choose the desired color for your sticky note.
To get more detail, check out the video below:
20. Increase/Decrease the Text Size of Your Sticky Note
For a more personalized experience, you can also adjust the text size of the sticky note.
- Navigate to a board and then hit the text inside the sticky note.
- After that, tap on the number next to the text size and then choose the preferred text size.
- Be sure to tap on Done at the top right corner of the screen to confirm the change.
21. Duplicate a Sticky Note
Duplicating a sticky note is incredibly simple.
- Just tap on the sticky note and then hit the triple-dot icon in the menu.
- Next, choose Duplicate in the menu to duplicate the sticky note.
22. Delete the Sticky Note
If you no longer want to keep a sticky note, you can easily get rid of it.
- Tap on the sticky note and then hit the trash icon in the menu to remove it.
23. Annotate Your Board to Your Heart’s Liking
If you have a liking for annotation, there is a good chance that you would appreciate the native annotation feature.
- To get started, open a board on your device and then hit the tiny markup icon at the bottom of the screen.
- After that, make the most of all the cool pencils and brushes to annotate to your liking.
- What’s more, you can also mix and match the colors. To get it done, tap on the color icon and then tweak the colors in line with your preference.
- Make sure to tap on Done at the top right corner of the screen to finish.
24. Make Your Sticky Note Look Hillarious with Funny Emojis
If you want to make your sticky note look fun-loving, bring on the emojis.
- Double-tap on the sticky note to reveal the software keyboard. Then, tap on the emoji icon to access a ton of emojis.
- After that, select the emojis that you want to use. To find a specific widget, you can use the handy search tool.
25. Increase/Decrease the Size of Emojis
I don’t think many of you would be aware of the fact that it’s possible to adjust the size of emojis that you have placed on a sticky note. Save this hack for times when you want the emojis to appear more striking.
- Tap on the sticky note where you have placed emojis > after that, tap on the Aa text icon in the menu that appears at the bottom.
- Then, you can use the “-” and “+” buttons to adjust the size of your emojis.
26. Organize Freeform Boards in Icons or List View
You can organize your Freeform boards in icons or list view.
- Open the Freeform app on your iPhone or iPad and hit the All Boards option.
- After that, tap on the triple-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen and then choose Icons or List.
To have more info about it, watch the video below:
27. Sort Your Freeform Boards
You should keep your boards sorted. Else, they would look completely messed up.
- Head over to the Freeform app -> All Boards -> triple-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
- After that, choose Sort by Date or Sort by Name in the drop-down menu.
28. Group Your Freeform Boards
Another neat way to keep the boards organized is to group them all. Guess what, it’s just as easy to do.
- Navigate to the Freeform app -> All Boards -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Now, choose Use Groups in the drop-down menu. Voila! It will instantly organize all the boards as groups.
29. Search Text In Freeform Boards
Freeform also comes with an integrated “Control+F) aka the tool to let you search for text on a board.
- Open the Freeform app on your iPhone or iPad -> All Boards -> specific board -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen -> Find.
- Next, enter the text you want to find.
- The searched text will be instantly highlighted on the board.
- Next up, you can use the up/down arrow to quickly access the highlighted text.
- In the end, tap on Done to finish.
30. Search for a Board
With a dedicated search bar, it has become incredibly straightforward to find a particular project. Yeah, you got that right! You don’t need to dig into the entire cluster of boards to access specific ones.
- Head into the Freeform app -> All Boards -> hit the Search bar at the top -> input the name of the board you need and select it from the search results.
31. Hide/Show Grid in a Board
If you find grids unnecessary or think that they make your boards look cluttered, you can choose to hide or show them as per your needs.
- Launch the Freeform app -> All Boards -> touch and hold the triple-dot icon at the upper right corner of the screen and choose Hide/Show Grid.
32. Rename a Board
There are multiple ways to rename a board.
- Open the Freeform app -> All Boards -> touch and hold a board -> Rename.
- After that, input the name of the board.
- Alternately, open the board -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen, and choose Rename.
33. Print a Freeform Board
At some point or the other, you might need to get a Freeform board printed.
- Open the Freeform app -> All Boards -> select a specific board -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen -> Print.
34. Delete a Specific Board
- Deleting a specific board that you no longer want to have is dead simple.
- Head over to the Freeform app -> All Boards -> touch and hold a board and then hit Delete in the menu.
35. Delete Multiple Boards at Once
To let you remove several unwanted boards at once, the Freeform app also comes with a batch-deletion feature.
- Open the Freeform app -> All Boards -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen and choose the “Select” option in the menu.
- After that, select all the boards that you want to get rid of and then hit the Delete button at the bottom right corner of the screen.
36. Delete All Boards at Once
If you want to clean up the entire cluster of boards, you can do so with ease.
- Open the Freeform app -> All Boards -> tap on the triple-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen and choose the “Select” option in the menu.
- Now, tap on Select All at the top left corner of the screen and then hit Delete at the bottom right corner of the screen.
37. Favorite a Freeform Board
The Freeform app comes with a dedicated Favorite section to let you easily access a Freeform board.
- To favorite a board, open it and then hit the triple-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen and choose Favorite.
- Alternately, head into the All Boards section -> touch and hold a board and choose Favorite in the menu.
- You can access all your favorite boards from the Favorites section that shows on the main screen.
38. Increase or Decrease the List Level
Interestingly, there is a hidden way to increase or decrease the list level, which you can use to neatly present your ideas.
- Select a specific item in a Freeform board and then tap on the Aa text in the window at the bottom.
- Then, tap on the tiny three horizontal lines and then choose Increase or Decrease List Level in the menu.
- Tap on Done at the top right to confirm.
39. Present Important Points Using Bullets and Number
If not presented in an organized way, even important points seem to lose their significance.
- Select the points you want to highlight and then hit the Aa text button in the window at the bottom.
- After that, tap on the horizontal lines in the window.
- Then, choose Bullets, Numbered, or Dash as per your need.
- Do not forget to tap on Done at the top right to confirm.
40. Communicate With All Participants
The Freeform app lets you seamlessly keep a track of the people who have access to your shared board. Moreover, it also offers a quick way to message or communicate with them via audio or video call.
- Just open a shared Freeform board and then tap on the “profile” at the top and then you can choose to message or start an audio/video call as per your needs.
41. Hide or Show Participant Cursors
Interestingly, you can also hide or show participant cursors.
- To get it done, open a shared Freeform board -> tap on the “profile” at the top, and then turn on/off the toggle for Participant Cursors depending on your preference.
42. Hide Freeform App on Your iPhone or iPad
If you don’t want your better half or kids to get into the Freeform app, you would be glad to know that there are various ways to hide the app. For this very purpose, check out this detailed guide on how to hide apps on iPhone and iPad.
43. Get the Best Digital Pen for Freeform
If you don’t want to settle with anything less than the absolute best digital pen for drawing, sketching, or note-taking, you don’t need to look further than Apple Pencil (Buy on Amazon). While you can argue the relatively expensive price tag, you can’t overlook the pixel-perfect precision, imperceptible lag, and pressure sensitivity that the Apple Pencil boasts.
However, if you want comparatively affordable yet reasonably good digital pens, you should check out Jamjake (Buy on Amazon), Adonit Neo (Buy on Amazon), and the Penoval Stylus Pen (Buy on Amazon).
44. Fix the Freeform Syncing Issue with iCloud
It’s worth pointing out that we have created a detailed guide about fixing the Freeform syncing issue with iCloud. So, if you have run into this annoying issue, make sure to try out these viable tips to fix the Freeform syncing issue with iCloud.
45. Fix the Freeform Crashing/Freezing Issue
If the Freeform app is crashing or faced with a helluva of issues, check out these workable tips to fix the app.
46. Best Freeform Alternatives
What if you are not impressed with the Freeform app or want to have a better alternative? Well, we have got you covered with some of the most popular drawing apps that can rival Freeform on all fronts. So, be sure to check them out.
Make the Most of These Great Tips to Use Freeform Like a Pro..!
There you go! So, these are the best tips and tricks to get the most out of the Apple Freeform app. Hopefully, nothing will now hinder you from using the Freeform app to your heart’s liking. Have I missed out on any cool hacks? If yes, make sure to let us know via the comments section below.
