# Charcoal — Visualize Your Ideas

> Intuitive sketching app with rich tools and export functionality for iOS. (iPhone/iPad app by Lars Augustin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charcoal/id1490279484 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lars Augustin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806278075)
- Category: Productivity, Graphics & Design
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.51/5 from 143 App Store ratings · 117 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2020-01-17
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charcoal/id1490279484/reviews.md

## What is Charcoal?

• Charcoal is incredibly easy to use: Just create or open a sketch and start sketching. There are no layers or confusing settings. Instead, Charcoal features rich tools and beautiful color palettes.
• Charcoal allows you to export a sketch to use it in your favorite graphics program.
• Charcoal supports modern iOS and iPadOS features like multiple windows and dark mode: use it at night or open multiple sketches, even side by side.

## Key features

- Simple sketching interface
- Rich drawing tools
- Beautiful color palettes
- Export sketches
- Multiple window support
- Dark mode

## What do users think of Charcoal?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Great for quick sketching
- 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design
- 💰 Free with no ads

**Cons**

- 🎨 Limited color palette
- 🎨 Lack of customization options
- 🎨 Missing advanced drawing tools
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Saved sketches lose quality
- Palette colors change unexpectedly
- Freezing when opening color palette

**Most requested features**

- Ability to change brush/pen size
- Layers and blending tools
- Color wheel and custom color selection
- Import/export options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 117)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charcoal/id1490279484/reviews.md

### 5/5 — INCREDIBLE!

*2025-10-01, version 1.5.1*

This is literally the most amazing thing on the planet of apps-i use it to do all my drawing-everyone who I recommend it too loves it-it’s so customisable and cute!!!Few suggestions:A bit more customising-with the pens,or the selections of colours,inserting photos-and more flexibility when using the blade,resizing,flipping.But other than this,It is absolutely PERFECT!!! Chefs kiss.

### 5/5 — INCREDIBLE!GET it now!-a few suggestions...

*2025-08-07, version 1.5.1*

This is so adorable and simple!There are now purchasess and It is so helpfull!you can create pallets,make it light or dark on the settings!I have a few suggestions:Inserting Photos,Change size when selecting something with blade,and front and back layers.Thats all from me-DEFO RECCOMEND if you want a simple,FREE NO PURCHASE drawing app!!!Great for kids and adults!

### 4/5 — Good app, could do with a little more personality

*2024-11-06, version 1.5.1*

I really love the idea of this app. The idea of focusing on one thing with such a minimal UI is just… nice. It looks like it just uses the basic iPad pen tools which is a shame. I would have really enjoyed a nice brush engine with a small selection of tools. Maybe add in some sound effects (as a setting) and you could really make this into something where people can focus purely on the drawing. Also I love the default colours provided btw

### 4/5 — I love this drawing app❤️

*2024-06-23, version 1.5*

It’s a great and simple app to do when you get tired of the more complicated apps but I have one request can you please make it to where you can take off and on the little dots cause they get on my nerves when the appear out of no where thank you 😊❤️❤️❤️💕

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2024-06-15, version 1.5*

This is an awesome drawing app they pretty much have everything you need.I would love it if they had the colour brown and if there was a tool to make a perfect circle other than that I love it soooo much

### 3/5 — Hey where are the new brushes

*2024-04-14, version 1.5*

Cant find them :( I still like charcoal :’)👍 edit: It seems like the new tools are only available for ios 16 and above. :((

### 5/5 — Needs updated

*2024-03-23, version 1.4.1*

This is a really nice app. But it needs updated. In fact, it hasn’t been updated in about a year.

### 5/5 — Good game but um yeah

*2024-03-09, version 1.4.1*

So I realised I made a mistake on my scheck but I have already did my next scketch ( my making a set of cats) so I went back to fix it but after I fixed it my other sketch I just finished it was gone and was replaced with the other cat I just fixed my mistake on so yeah it’s good app like it’s got no adds but WHERES BROWNNNNN

### 2/5 — Eh not feeling it

*2024-02-24, version 1.4.1*

So I am a gullible person and loving giving raging reviews to people but this game is just soo bad. If you want a thicker colour instead of pressing the thicker colour button you have to go faster which doesn't make sense because why is the button there? Also the tools aren’t amazing so it’s hard to draw a goodish piece of art. It would be a good sketching app but as a normal art one? No.

### 4/5 — Four Stars - Two Missing Things

*2023-11-24, version 1.4.1*

The app is amazing in every way except two, with the colour wheel / selector we should be able to choose the hex code ourselves because that is easier than trying to use the slider, also having the eye dropper tool to select a colour on the page would be useful because sometimes I can’t find the right colour after mixing lots of different watercolour/highliters together. Other than those two things this app is amazing!

## Frequently asked questions about Charcoal

### What is Charcoal?

Charcoal is an application designed for sketching and visualizing ideas on iOS and iPadOS devices. It focuses on a user-friendly experience with rich tools and color palettes, without complex settings or layers.

### What are the key features of Charcoal?

Key features include an easy-to-use sketching interface, a variety of rich drawing tools, beautiful color palettes, the ability to export sketches for use in other graphics programs, support for multiple windows, and dark mode.

### Is Charcoal free to use?

Yes, based on the provided information, Charcoal is a free application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What devices is Charcoal compatible with?

Charcoal supports modern iOS and iPadOS features, indicating it is compatible with iPhones and iPads running these operating systems. It specifically mentions support for multiple windows and dark mode, which are features of these platforms.

### How can I use my sketches from Charcoal?

You can export your sketches created in Charcoal. This allows you to use your artwork in your favorite graphics programs, integrating your ideas and designs into other workflows.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6 — 2026-04-13

• Charcoal now uses the Liquid Glass design system on iOS & iPadOS 26
• The app icon has been refreshed
• Support links have been updated
• Several bugs have been fixed

Thanks for using Charcoal!

### 1.5.1 — 2024-08-01

• This update adds support for the LAMY Safari Note+ digital stylus
• You can now switch between erasers in the Settings → Accessories

### 1.5 — 2024-04-11

• This update adds several new tools: Crayon, Fountain Pen & Watercolor
• You can now customize Charcoal’s interface
• The settings have been redesigned
• Sketches can be exported at a higher quality
• Charcoal now fully supports the latest iPadOS and iOS versions
• Several bugs have been fixed

Thanks for using Charcoal!

### 1.4.1 — 2022-11-05

This update fixes an issue which resulted in the app becoming unresponsive after changing certain settings. It also includes support for iOS & iPadOS 16, as well as iPhone 14.

### 1.4 — 2021-12-12

• You can now choose a background color for your sketch
• The color palettes have been updated
    • To switch to the new palettes, tap the refresh button in the settings under “Color Palettes”
• A Home Screen action for quick sketches has been added
• The design of the app has been tweaked
• This update adds support for iOS 15, iPhone 13, and iPad mini

## Apps similar to Charcoal

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astropad-studio-drawing-tablet/id1181582576) | 4.7 (3,677) | Free | Productivity |
| [Linea Sketch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linea-sketch/id1094770251) | 3.7 (768) | Free | Productivity |
| [Inkflow Visual Notebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inkflow-visual-notebook/id519524685) | 4.6 (1,863) | Free | Productivity |
| [Paintwork - Infinite Notebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paintwork-infinite-notebook/id1052957498) | 4.6 (17,153) | Free | Productivity |
| [Penbook: Paper Planner & Notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295) | 4.6 (44,086) | Free | Productivity |
| [Drawing Apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawing-apps/id1541145049) | 4.4 (4,762) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by Lars Augustin

- [Flipped! Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flipped-words/id1546450406)
- [Modulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modulator/id6744152974)

All apps by Lars Augustin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1806278075

## Related topics

[lars augustin](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lars-augustin) · [pencil drawing art ideas](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pencil-drawing-art-ideas)

---

*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 2026-06-11.*