How to Use the Freeform App on iPhone and iPad

Freeform is a free app that comes built into every iPhone and iPad running iOS 17 or later. Think of it as a giant digital whiteboard where you can write notes, draw diagrams, stick photos, and add shapes — all in one place. It's great for planning a trip, organizing your thoughts before a big decision, or just brainstorming with someone else over the internet.

When you first open Freeform, you get a blank white canvas with no edges. You can place things anywhere — text boxes, sticky notes, hand-drawn sketches, and images. Zoom in and out by pinching the screen, just like you would on a photo.

One of the most useful features is collaboration. You can share your Freeform board with a family member or friend via iMessage or email. Once they accept, both of you can see each other's changes in real time. This makes it perfect for planning events together even when you're in different locations.

If you have an Apple Pencil, Freeform really shines — you can draw and write naturally on the screen. But even without a stylus, you can type, add images from your photo library, and use your finger to sketch rough shapes.

Freeform boards are saved automatically in iCloud, so your content stays safe and shows up on all your Apple devices. Boards you haven't touched in a while are listed in the main view, and you can rename or delete them at any time.