Handwriting Keyboard

Name: Handwriting Keyboard
Price: 3.99 USD
Rating: 4 (96 reviews)
Author: Catalystwo

By: Catalystwo App

Handwrite in apps—even offline

Overview

Version:

2.6

Last updated: 2026-09-19

Ranking

#145,321 ▼ 247

Overall

Features & Capabilities

Version 2.6 brings a refreshed design, three writing layouts, clearer setup, and a new Quick Notes widget. Write with a finger or Apple Pencil—offline.

Write by hand. Type in your apps.

Handwriting Keyboard lets you enter text with your finger or Apple Pencil in apps such as Messages, Mail, Safari, and Notes.

Recognition runs entirely on your device, so the keyboard works offline. Full Access is not required. Your input is not transmitted, and the app does not collect data.

IMPORTANT — SUPPORTED LANGUAGES

Handwriting recognition supports U.S. English and Japanese only. Other languages, including British English, are not supported.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Open the Handwriting Keyboard app and tap “Open Settings.”
Tap “Keyboards,” then enable English (US), Japanese, or both. Full Access is not required.
In a text field, touch and hold the keyboard switch key, then select Handwriting.

When entering a password, iOS automatically switches to the system keyboard.

If text is duplicated or does not appear correctly in an app with a custom text field, turn off Inline Input in Handwriting Keyboard settings.

FEATURES

• Three writing layouts: Free, Rows, and Boxes • U.S. English handwriting recognition • Japanese handwriting recognition with hiragana-to-kanji conversion • Write with your finger or Apple Pencil • Palm rejection when using Apple Pencil • Works entirely offline • No Full Access required • Scribble over part of your handwriting to erase it • Strike through handwriting to erase it together • Drag recognition candidates together to combine them • Adjustable auto-enter delay • Three writing-area sizes • Customizable Return key position • Two-finger scrolling or cursor movement • Adjustable line width and background color • Text Replacement support • Dark Mode and floating keyboard support • Quick Notes home screen widget

SUPPORTED RECOGNITION LANGUAGES

• U.S. English • Japanese

British English and all other languages are not supported.

Deutsch wird nicht unterstützt. El español no es compatible. O português não é compatível. Svenska stöds inte. Le français n’est pas pris en charge. 한국어는 지원되지 않습니다.

MyScript® is a trademark of MyScript.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App

By:

Catalystwo

Rating:

4.00

(96)

Version:

2.6 Last updated: 2026-09-19

Version code:

891556164

Creation date:

2014-10-12

Compatible devices:

Size:

73.91MB

Price:

3.99

URLs:

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-09-25

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 145,321 ▼ 247

For Developers

Monetize with App Pass Boost with Extension Booster

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:

Catalystwo

Apple Apps Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392

User Reviews

First and most importantly, the input panel does not open in all apps (specifically the settings app). Although handwriting recognition works well, and gestures are intuitive, input can be glitchy. Or more specifically the lack of input. Opening the keyboard may retain previously cleared input, tapping in a text region may input the last input which gets annoying when you're trying to move the cursor to the end of the line and it keeps inserting words in the middle of other ones, With the last update 3 years ago and no refund available I fear the app isn't even in maintenance mode anymore and I've just wasted my money.

by So*****, 2025-12-25

At first, I worried about paying money for this app, but it was only $4 so I bought it. I do a lot of writing and cursive is far faster for me than typing or using an on-screen keyboard. Plus, it feels more natural to me to write. I have used this for years, long before its last update. Of which, I doubt I will see any more updates, but this app works well enough for me. The app has a bit of a learning curve but a little practice and paying attention to issues, it is easy to compensate. Other than the issue others have mentioned about the random capitalization, It has issues with cursive capital G and cursive lowercase z, but writing them in Manuscript will fix this issue. For some reason, it likes to switch lowercase r with n and vice versa. Plus, it likes to make sure words you write are actual words, which can be a pain when writing weird names. Most of the time writing the names in manuscript will fix This issue. Occasionally, when writing single words, or fixing an incorrect word, the app gives me total gibberish. To fix this, I write extra letters or extra words and it corrects itself. Sometimes, it likes to totally change words, but the best you can do is erase then rewrite the words. Its final issue is that it does not like to count spaces randomly and decides to join your words together. By leaving an extra large space when this happens will fix the issue. It may seem difficult to compensate for the app's issues but I have used this app so much that it is second nature to do it now. All-in-all this is the best app I have found to turn your hand writing to text for the iPad. Thanks to the creator of this app to make my life easier. It is awesome !