Pocket Orbit logoPocket Orbit
Pricing
Download

Write canvas for iPad

Draw notes and diagrams on iPad with Apple Pencil

Write, sketch, and map ideas naturally, then review recognition, organize related material, and export the checked result.

Written and reviewed by the Pocket Orbit Product TeamUpdated July 29, 2026
Download Pocket Orbit on the App StoreHow we test and write

Best for

  • + Handwritten class notes, formulas, sketches, and diagrams
  • + Apple Pencil capture that needs organization or export later
  • + Mixed writing, drawing, and scanning workflows

Not designed for

  • - Professional illustration, brush libraries, or canvas-heavy art projects
  • - Template-first digital notebooks
  • - Deep PDF annotation workflows
Practical workflow

The process, step by step

  1. 1Open Write and add text or sketch with Apple Pencil.
  2. 2Use pen colors, eraser, lasso selection, and undo or redo to refine the original.
  3. 3Review recognition where a text result is needed.
  4. 4Group the note with related material before summarizing or exporting.

Draw the note, not a substitute for a full art studio

Use the Write canvas when handwriting, formulas, arrows, or a quick diagram preserve the idea better than a keyboard. Pocket Orbit supports note drawing with Apple Pencil rather than professional illustration, brush collections, templates, or deep PDF markup.

Apple Pencil handwriting and diagram note in Pocket Orbit

Keep control over the original handwriting

Use pen colors, eraser, lasso selection, undo and redo while you work. Finger scrolling keeps navigation separate from writing, and the original handwritten note remains the reference when recognition needs correction.

Turn a drawn page into a study workflow

A diagram note can sit beside typed context or a scanned worksheet. After review, organize related material, create a study summary from the checked source, or export what you need.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I draw diagrams in a note-taking app on iPad?

Yes. Pocket Orbit Write supports handwritten notes, formulas, arrows, sketches, and diagrams with Apple Pencil. It is not positioned as a professional illustration app.

Can I use Apple Pencil for writing and drawing in Pocket Orbit?

Yes. Use Write for Apple Pencil handwriting and note drawing, then review the original and any recognized text before organizing, summarizing, or exporting it.

Editorial trust

Sources, method, and update policy

Product claims are checked against the current app. Competitor claims use dated official sources. Corrections can be sent to alpaca-labs.dev@proton.me.

Read the full methodology
Keep going

Related evidence and next steps

Try the Write and Scan workflow

Download Pocket Orbit from the App Store, then use the linked help articles to test it with your own notes.

Download Pocket Orbit on the App Store