December 13, 2022
UPDATE
Apple launches Freeform, a powerful new app designed for creative brainstorming and collaboration
Freeform for iPhone, iPad and Mac makes visual collaboration easier than ever
Freeform is an all-new app available today and included in the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Freeform helps users organize and visually format content on a flexible canvas, allowing them to see, share, and collaborate all in one place without worrying about layouts or page sizes. Users can add a wide variety of files and view them inline without ever leaving the board. Freeform is designed for collaboration and makes it easier than ever to invite others to collaborate on a board. Users can even collaborate with others during a FaceTime call. Freeform boards are stored in iCloud so users can stay in sync across devices.
“Freeform opens up endless possibilities for iPhone, iPad and Mac users to collaborate visually,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With an infinite canvas, support for uploading a wide variety of files, iCloud integration, and collaboration capabilities, Freeform creates a shared brainstorming space that users can take anywhere.”
A canvas built for creativity with easy-to-use tools
Freeform is the perfect whiteboard experience for collecting inspiration and ideas in one place. The infinite canvas expands as content is added to the board for unlimited flexibility when working with many files or collaborating with others. Users can move around the board seamlessly with built-in gesture support.
The app offers different brush styles and color options to sketch ideas, add comments, and draw diagrams. iPhone and iPad users can draw anywhere on the canvas with their finger, and with support for Apple Pencil, Freeform makes it easier than ever to sketch ideas on iPad on the go.
Freeform supports a wide variety of files, including photos, video, audio, documents, PDFs, links to websites and links to map locations, sticky notes, shapes, diagrams, and more. iPhone and iPad cameras can even be used to insert an image or scanned document directly onto the board. With a full shape library, Freeform gives users over 700 options to choose from, allowing users to change color and size, add text, and even create and save personalized shapes.
Users can drag and drop content onto the board from other apps, including Files and Finder, and built-in alignment guides make it easy to keep the board organized. Quick Look allows users to view content with a double tap without ever leaving the board, and multiple video files can be played simultaneously to create a dynamic view. Content such as images and PDFs can be locked to a board, and collaborators can then annotate on top or around the object – making Freeform the perfect tool for sketching ideas on top of floor plans for a home renovation project, or for coaches to map out game rules on an image of a basketball court.
A collaboration space
Whether a user is working at a desk or on the go, Freeform is incredibly useful for standalone projects or when collaborating with others. With the ability to work with up to 100 collaborators in the same board, Freeform creates a shared space for creativity when working on group projects or even planning a vacation with friends.
Freeform takes advantage of the new collaboration features in Messages, which allow users to invite others to a Freeform board by simply dragging it into a Messages thread. All members of that thread are automatically invited to the boards and can start collaborating immediately. When someone makes an edit, activity updates appear at the top of the Messages thread.
With FaceTime built into the app, users can initiate a FaceTime call within Freeform by tapping the Collaborate button at the top right of the screen. All collaborators can view others’ contributions while adding content or making edits with quick sync capabilities and iCloud integration. Freeform boards sync between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and users can invite others via a link or email, and even export a board as a PDF or take a screenshot.
Availability
Starting today, Freeform is free on any iPhone, iPad, and Mac that supports iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, or macOS Ventura 13.1.
Press Contacts
Tara Courtney
Apple
tcourtney@apple.com
Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com
(408) 974-2042
