How to Share a Freeform Board via Link on macOS 13

Apple's Freeform app in macOS 13 (Ventura) allows you to collaborate in real time by sharing a direct link to your boards. This guide explains how to generate a shareable link, configure access permissions, and ensure your Mac is properly set up for iCloud collaboration.

Prerequisites for Sharing

Before sharing a Freeform board, ensure that iCloud is configured properly on your Mac:

  1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
  2. Click your Apple ID name at the top of the sidebar.
  3. Select iCloud, then click Show More Apps (or iCloud Drive depending on your exact version).
  4. Verify that the toggle next to Freeform is turned on.

To invite someone to your board using a direct link, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Freeform app on your Mac.
  2. Open the board you want to share.
  3. Click the Share button (the square icon with an arrow pointing upward) in the top-right toolbar.
  4. Click the drop-down menu under Collaboration to manage permissions:
    • Who can access: Choose between Only invited people or Anyone with the link. To allow anyone with the URL to join, select Anyone with the link.
    • Permissions: Choose whether participants can make changes (Can make changes) or only view the content (View only).
  5. Select Copy Link from the sharing options, or choose an app like Messages or Mail to send it directly.
  6. Paste and send the link to your collaborators.

When recipients click the link, the board will open in their Freeform app on macOS, iOS, or iPadOS, allowing them to view or edit the canvas based on the permissions you set.

Managing Collaborator Permissions

You can modify access rights or stop sharing the board at any time:

  1. Open the shared board in Freeform.
  2. Click the Manage Shared Board icon in the toolbar (it appears as a silhouette icon when collaboration is active).
  3. To change an individual's rights, click their name and adjust their permission level.
  4. To revoke access for everyone, click Share Options and select Stop Sharing.