How to Use Apple Freeform on macOS 13

Apple's Freeform app in macOS 13 (Ventura) is a flexible digital canvas designed for brainstorming, planning, and collaborating in real time. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to navigate the app, utilize its core creative tools, and collaborate with others seamlessly across Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Getting Started with Freeform

To open the app, launch Finder, open the Applications folder, and double-click Freeform (or open it via Spotlight by pressing Command + Space and typing "Freeform").

To begin, click the New Board icon (a square with a pencil) in the top toolbar. You will be presented with an infinite, grid-lined canvas that expands automatically as you add content. You can navigate the board by scrolling with your trackpad or mouse, and zoom in or out using pinch gestures or the zoom controls in the lower-left corner.

Core Canvas Tools

The top toolbar contains the primary tools for adding content:

  • Sticky Notes: Click the square note icon to place a digital sticky note on the canvas. Double-click the note to type text, and use the floating formatting bar to change the note's color, font, and size.
  • Shapes and Symbols: Click the shape icon to access a searchable library of geometry, objects, animals, and symbols. Drag a shape to the board, resize it, change its fill color, or add text inside it.
  • Text Boxes: Click the "A" icon to insert an independent text field for titles, paragraphs, or lists.
  • Media and Files: Click the media icon to insert photos, videos, audio clips, or scanned documents. Alternatively, drag and drop files (including PDFs, web links, and office documents) directly from your desktop or Finder onto the canvas.
  • Connectors: Connect any two objects by selecting one, clicking the three dots menu, and choosing a line or arrow style to create flowcharts or mind maps.

Collaborating with Others

Freeform allows you to work simultaneously with up to 99 other people on a single board:

  1. Click the Share button (the person icon with a plus sign) in the top-right toolbar.
  2. Select your sharing preferences by specifying who can access the board (only invited people or anyone with a link) and their permissions (View only or Can make changes).
  3. Send the invitation via Messages, Mail, or by copying the link.
  4. Once collaborators join, you will see their cursors and real-time edits live on the canvas. You can also start a FaceTime audio or video call directly from the collaboration menu while working together.

Organizing and Exporting Boards

All changes save automatically to your iCloud account, syncing across your Apple devices where Freeform is enabled in iCloud settings.

To manage your boards:

  • Click the back arrow in the upper-left corner to return to the board manager, where you can organize boards into favorites or search by keyword.
  • To share your work with non-Apple users or save a static copy, click File in the menu bar and select Export as PDF.