Archived Post

iOS’ Notes and Pages need handwriting conversation features

If you want your handwritten notes on an iPhone or iPad converted to text, you’re going to need an app that supports handwriting conversion. Sadly, Apple’s Notes and Pages for iOS can’t handle the job. 

I think that’s a mistake. It would make the apps more useful, and the Apple Pencil more appealing. 

Currentlly, if you want your handwritten notes translated to text, your best choice, in my opinion, is MyScript Nebo (pictured), a $7.99 app that offers full handwriting-to-text conversion. Specifically designed for the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon, it allows you to write, draw, quickly edit and structure your notes, and convert them into digital text. Recognized text is displayed while you write.



There’s also the $7.99 GoodNotes which supports writing and drawing with the Apple Pencil. It has built-in handwriting search recognition and text conversion — which is done via MyScript’s engine, which also powers MyScript Nebo.

Both of these are highly recommended apps and are available at the Apple App Store.. But I also think Apple needs to build handwriting conversion into its own, native software.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.