# Bamboo Paper — user reviews > 271 indexed App Store user reviews of Bamboo Paper by Wacom Europe GmbH, rated 4.20/5 from 646 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bamboo-paper/id443131313/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bamboo-paper/id443131313.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 387 · 4★ 135 · 3★ 45 · 2★ 29 · 1★ 50 ## What do users think of Bamboo Paper? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 💯 Excellent note-taking app - 🖋️ Smooth writing experience with stylus - 🎨 Variety of paper and pen styles - 📁 Organized notebook system - 🔒 Secure with password protection **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and compatibility issues with iOS updates - 🤚 Poor palm rejection and accidental input - 🔍 Limited zoom and page navigation features - 💰 Paid features should be included for free - 🔄 Sync and backup issues **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes when opening the app - Inability to restore purchases - Sync issues causing data loss - Incompatibility with newer iPad models **Most requested features** - Add layers and text editing capabilities - Improve palm rejection and wrist support - Implement more advanced organization tools - Provide better cloud sync and backup options - Expand color, brush, and paper style options ## Newest reviews (11 of 271) ### 3/5 — PLEASE ADD PALM REJECTION *2024-11-13, version 2.20.2* I love the app and writing feel is different from any app that's out there. But it's very annoying that it doesn't have a palm rejection. I request you to please add. ### 2/5 — I expected better *2023-07-25, version 2.18.6* Although Wacom’s Bamboo Paper app performs adequately as a standalone handwriting app, its syncing capabilities between platforms (Windows to iOS and vice versa) leave much to be desired. The lack of scaling, zoom, and adjustments creates significant issues, especially since screen sizes differ between devices. This results in writing being cut off the page when viewed on a smaller device, significantly impacting the overall user experience and productivity. Wacom, being a well-established company, could benefit from refining these essential features to enhance cross-platform usability and ensure a more seamless user experience. ### 2/5 — Palm Rejection doesn’t work at all *2023-05-09, version 2.18.6* I actually love this app and have been using it for year HOWEVER they never fixed or gave an option to turn off the ability to draw with your hand. It picks up my palm ALL THE TIME and it is seriously annoying having to have to erase so many dots when taking even the smallest amount of notes. Unfortunately this has made me have to look for an alternative that takes these basic features into consideration. I recommend this app ONLY if you wear gloves while drawing or touching the screen at any point. Kind of annoying. PLEASE FIX THIS Or at the least make a toggle switch to turn off drawing with anything other than the Apple Pencil or stylus. ### 3/5 — Broken with OS16.2 *2022-12-28, version 2.18.5* Long time user, and have enjoyed the app for several years. Unfortunately the app no longer works since the 16.2 update. Screen rotation and reorientation is causing major problems. ### 4/5 — Like it! *2022-12-24, version 2.18.5* Like this app but always seems to close out whenever I’m working in the application. But truly like this app. Helps me to stay creative. ### 2/5 — Landscape/portrait rotation *2022-11-12, version 2.18.5* iPad Air 3rd gen iPadOS 16.1.1. - 2.18.5 There seems to be an issue when rotating between both formats where landscape to portrait and back doesn't render the display correctly. It attempts to fit a landscape image rotated by 90 degrees into a portrait mode. Closing the app and reopening clears it. ### 2/5 — Not recommend *2022-08-29, version 2.18.4* The UI is. Clunky at best and your palm resting on the iPad screen gets registered. ### 3/5 — It’s alright *2022-08-10, version 2.18.4* The pen works smoothly and i like how you can lock your notes, but the the drawing interface is limited. When I’m drawing I can’t zoom into the page, or undo using two fingers, and there’s only two types of pens available (a pen and a transparent marker) unless i pay money. Not being able to zoom in can be especially frustrating because it leaves my lines looking very sloppy and not as detailed as I would’ve liked. It would be a perfect app otherwise, but some artists familiar with digital art may agree that its better to have all the crucial buttons to use when drawing, instead of a very limited and simplified layout with very few tools. ### 2/5 — Missing a key feature *2022-07-16, version 2.18.4* Having come over from Google, I used to use Bamboo all the time with my Inutous tablet. The iOS version is missing the “ignore finger” feature when using the apple pencil which sadly makes this app a pain to use on the IPad. Otherwise this would easily be the best app without question. Please fix this. Old notebooks have the wrong aspect ratio and the app fits the wrong dimension by default, cutting content off the screen. This should be the very best option on the market. ### 4/5 — Pen selection and Clear page not working! *2022-07-02, version 2.18.3* Hi. With the latest update, tapping on the pen tools is not working, and eraser doesn’t show ‘clear page’ anymore! A feedback button within the app would be helpful too. ### 5/5 — Bamboo sketch tool *2022-06-09, version 2.18.2* I have had Free ‘bamboo’ for some 8 or 9 years now and I truly love it ! I further purchased pens and markers plus graph pad etc all at small cost. In my construction business I I use my Wacom ‘Bamboo’ facility all the time both in the office and out in the field and on-site, to photograph and mark up images taken by phone or iPad imported into ‘bamboo’ and away we go with overlays, sketch ideas and sharing with colleagues and instructions to tradesmen. I for one user could not be without the facility and I find it so clever. For children to use for colour merging to see colours change by adding a green or a yellow to produce a whole range of colour or there’s the colour palette to choose from. It’s a beautiful little tool to doodle ideas, use professionally in business and it’s versatility in application is pretty endless. It’s easy to learn and refine so it’s 5 stars from me ! John ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Abandoned *2025-11-17, version 2.20.2* This app has been abandoned by the developers for 2 years. No updates, no nothing. Badly in need of updating. What’s up, Bamboo? ### 1/5 — Abandoned *2024-11-05, version 2.20.2* This app has been abandoned by the developers for over a year. No updates, no nothing. Badly in need of updating. ### 1/5 — Unable to unlock notebook!! *2024-04-20, version 2.20.2* I just made a MASTERPIECE but I accidentally put a passcode on it, now I can’t get into it at all!! Please help me !!!!!!! ### 1/5 — Waste of time u never be able to read what u ve wrote *2024-03-30, version 2.20.2* It was good then I don’t know what happened, Before updating and after updating every page I opened showed what I ve already written then all of it turned white and my notes vanished. Really disappointed I don’t know from where can I get the info I ve noted before:/ what a waste ### 1/5 — what went wrong? *2023-09-10, version 2.20.0* have loved and used this for yrs, suddenly the max 5 photo gallery or camera images u can load per page are missing their X button when held meaning u can’t delete them :( this ruins the app despite the obvious workaround of deleting the page and rebuilding…so who ever did update v2.20.0 needs to get on the case asap cos instead of fixing bugs, you’ve added a major one! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t support Apple Pencil *2023-07-17, version 2.18.6* The app seems like it could be good, but it doesn’t support the Apple Pencil. I didn’t find any warning about this design choice anywhere in the description. I only found it when trying to use the app, and googling it. I wouldn’t be complaining if that big caveat to the utility of the app wasn’t hidden. ### 1/5 — Restore *2023-07-03, version 2.18.6* My purchases won't restore. ### 1/5 — Is there copy and paste or move or resize? *2022-08-30, version 2.18.4* I want to love this app but i cant find anything like copy and paste or resize. If these exist they are hard enough to find that i can’t. It is the most beautiful notebook app but if i have to erase and rewrite or redraw then thats unacceptable. It must be there because I'm sure everyone would want this…? Where oh where? ### 1/5 — So disappointed *2022-06-29, version 2.18.2* I used bamboo paper for many years an it was great but the last couple of updates have really complicated everything unnecessarily. I can’t get to my old notes and the links to the Wacom pages don’t connect properly. I am all for advanced features but this is ridiculous. ### 1/5 — Bad *2022-03-15, version 2.18.2* Very bad .. i cant restore my purchase ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Still the best after 15 years! *2025-10-03, version 2.20.2* It does exactly what it should do and nothing more. Simple elegant fast and clean note pad for Apple Pencil or wacoms stylus. Cannot beat it! ### 5/5 — Great note taking app *2024-08-04, version 2.20.2* I like the integration with the Dropbox and other storage devices. Writing is simple and I am glad it’s still around. ### 5/5 — Simple is the best *2023-11-04, version 2.20.2* I’ve been using this wonderful app since it came out. Where other apps changed their apps into oo many details this one stayed simple.I find myself making me-inspiration booklets with images or phrases and words for titles etc. You might try typing up captions on a transparent backdrop of vintage paoers. Please, just don't take away the little books like another major app did. And thanks for not making us put them on a silly faux bookcase. I wouldn’t mind a few black covers. ### 5/5 — Todays update. *2023-11-03, version 2.20.2* You changed how the pages turn…please change it back 🫤 More like a steno pad than a booklet this way. 🤔 ### 5/5 — iPhone *2023-05-05, version 2.18.6* Should be available on iPhones! ### 5/5 — This app is awesome *2023-02-14, version 2.18.5* I really enjoy this app. It really helps me get rid of my boredom. You can draw amazing things even without the premium brushes. Yes there is some stuff that costs money, but you can still do a lot without it awesome app! ### 5/5 — Write On! Your IPad *2023-01-14, version 2.18.5* Bamboo paper has been part this iPad for years. In addition the ability to import photos to add comments, it serves as a note pad for meetings, and to jot down musings. There is something about handwriting when recording thoughts that better serves the stream of consciousness. In addition, the ability to create several notebooks makes retrieving the material easier. Overall a very useful application. ### 5/5 — Very great app *2022-08-21, version 2.18.4* This app is great. It even better when you pay for certain things and it not super expensive. It’s great app free and works well with my stylus I love this app ### 5/5 — Awesome app! *2022-07-20, version 2.18.4* I really like the way it feels just like my old school journals I used to keep through high school and college. Only it’s better because I can add my pictures, and edit my research. Doodle in the extra space, make the paper lined or parchment or stationary. It doesn’t need to be complicated like so many things are these days. I’ve been using it since about 2017 and I love it. Thank you, Wacom! ### 5/5 — ❌Crashes when trying to open on an iPad Air 1sr gen. Beware ❌ *2022-07-08, version 2.18.4* I hope an update comes soon. I don't have access to all my notes now 🤯 =============== UPDATE: Thank you for the prompt update, Wacom! Bamboo Paper is working fine once again 😉👍 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*