# Co:Writer Universal

> Word prediction and spelling support app for students with topic-specific dictionaries. (iPhone/iPad app by Don Johnston Incorporated.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cowriter-universal/id915105799 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Don Johnston Incorporated](https://appshunter.io/developer/674099735)
- Category: Education, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.60/5 from 17 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-10-15
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cowriter-universal/id915105799/reviews.md

## What is Co?

Co:Writer® Universal app and third-party keyboard gives students easy access to word prediction on iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Students simply sign in to their Co:Writer Universal accounts to write with their personal settings and vocabulary. 

ABOUT CO:WRITER UNIVERSAL

This version is for schools with a Co:Writer Universal license only. Users without a Co:Writer Universal license must purchase the Co:Writer app.

HOW DOES CO:WRITER WORK?
As letters are typed, Co:Writer predicts the intended word with a selection of word suggestions using powerful grammar-smart word prediction. These suggestions can be read aloud with a swipe. Selecting the intended word places it into the writing document. For feedback while writing (and after writing) built-in text to speech can be used to read letters, words, sentences, and the entire document.

4+ MILLION TOPIC-SPECIFIC DICTIONARIES
Co:Writer has access to a main prediction dictionary (that includes core words) and Topic Dictionaries (that includes topic specific words).  Co:Writer can access over 4 million topic-specific dictionaries which are activated based on the writing task.

A small sampling of the variety of topic dictionaries:
  - America's Cup
  - Apple II
  - Compare and Contrast
  - Dinosaurs
  - Grumpy Cat
  - History of the Peloponnesian War
  - Mahatma Gandhi
  - My Dog
  - Pig Latin
  - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
  - SpongeBob SquarePants
  - Tommy (album)
  - Wonders of the World

SPELLING SUPPORT
Co:Writer handles the widest range of spelling mistakes through its Flexspell™technology including phonetic spelling and inventive spelling errors (letter omissions, word ending omissions, letter reversals, etc).

Examples of how Co:Writer aides with phonetic and/or inventive spelling:
Before Co:Writer
The blk jargon flu over the bra lfnt. 
R u hpy to ce me? 
I no hw to nor the fone. 
After Co:Writer 
The black dragon flew over the gray elephant.
Are you happy to see me?
I know how to answer the phone.

GRAMMAR SUPPORT
Co:Writer bases its prediction off of proper grammar, and uses its understanding of grammar to accurately predict words within the framework of valid sentence structures.  
Examples of how Co:Writer aides with grammar:
Dogs are furry. (noun, verb, adj.) - When you typed d-o, you get plural noun choices
Three very mangy dogs ran down the street. (adj., adv., adj., noun, verb… etc.) - After typing three, very, mangy, you get plural noun choices, then you get plural verb tenses.

OTHER FEATURES
 - Built-in Text to Speech
 - Export

## Key features

- Grammar-smart word prediction
- Millions of topic-specific dictionaries
- Flexspell™ technology for spelling errors
- Built-in text-to-speech
- Personalized vocabulary and settings

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cowriter-universal/id915105799/reviews.md

### 4/5 — What happened to the old co writer us version?

*2021-01-13*

Hi guys I was wondering what happened to the old version of       co writer called CoWriter US because I still have the app and it works beautifully so why did you take it off the store the thing I liked about the old one is it was free you didn’t have to have an account or anything I had a friend who has a little trouble with writing so I was hoping to send it to her but all I could find was the newer version could you answer this question for me please thanks

### 3/5 — Customize keyboard

*2021-01-06*

I wish i could customize the keyboard for students with visual impairments.

### 2/5 — Seems buggy

*2020-07-23*

The predictive boxes are blank for me but will insert a word when I tap them. It would be nice to know what the words are before I select them though! I also tried the Chrome extension and had the same experience, blank predictive boxes. I’d love to see the words it is suggesting, but maybe that’s too much to ask.

### 2/5 — Some of improve

*2020-06-06*

Toolbar on top little bit cut out in CoWriter app on iphone X, iPhone 11. I don't see a close button on keyboard and they need to Improve the word prediction on IPhone and ipad.

### 1/5 — Couldn’t get in

*2020-05-11*

I logged in but then it said I had to log in twice and it just said my name and sign out whyyyy

### 1/5 — Bad app and interface

*2020-02-24*

The entire app is terrible, and the interface is terrible

### 3/5 — Disappointing,, worse than old cowriter versions.

*2018-09-21*

I am a veteran OT who has used Co-Writer off and on for 20+ years.
I recently downloaded this "new, improved" version for an 8 year old child with CP.  the word predictions are not age specific.  Even with vocabulary parameters set at the lowest level, when this 8 yr old child tries to spell about,, it predicts "abortion".  It does nothing to autocorrect misspelling/ mis-keyed strokes. Nothing at all.  Even my cell phone does a better job with suggestions.
I was very hopeful that this would be great for him and the best feature is that the word predictions are editable for size... Very disappointing.

### 1/5 — Bad app

*2017-04-19*

Seem to be an app that only gets your contact information and tells  you to you have to get an account set up, that's what I thought I did when sign signed up.

### 1/5 — who's can use this App

*2016-03-05*

what Code ??? it's impossible to get it, my questions is!! who can access this app, I lost like 40 min. !!!!

### 1/5 — Couldn't get in

*2016-02-15*

I couldn't even figure out how to get logged in. It was asking for a code, don't get wast of time

## Frequently asked questions about Co

### What is Co:Writer Universal?

Co:Writer Universal is an app and third-party keyboard that provides students with word prediction and spelling support. It is designed to help students write more effectively by offering smart word suggestions and correcting spelling errors.

### Who is Co:Writer Universal for?

This version of Co:Writer Universal is specifically for schools that have a Co:Writer Universal license. Students without a license will need to purchase the separate Co:Writer app.

### How does Co:Writer Universal help with spelling?

Co:Writer Universal uses Flexspell™ technology to handle a wide range of spelling mistakes, including phonetic and inventive spelling errors like letter omissions and reversals.

### Can Co:Writer Universal read text aloud?

Yes, Co:Writer Universal features built-in text-to-speech functionality. Users can swipe to hear word suggestions read aloud and use text-to-speech to review letters, words, sentences, and entire documents.

### How many topic dictionaries does Co:Writer Universal have?

Co:Writer Universal has access to over 4 million topic-specific dictionaries. These dictionaries are activated based on the writing task, providing relevant vocabulary for various subjects.

### What devices does Co:Writer Universal support?

Co:Writer Universal is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices.

### What is the age rating for Co:Writer Universal?

Co:Writer Universal has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and students.

### How often is Co:Writer Universal updated?

The latest version of Co:Writer Universal is 2.0.22, and it was last updated on December 2, 2025. This indicates regular updates to improve functionality and support.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.22 — 2025-12-02

Fix various issues on iOS 26.

### 2.0.21 — 2024-06-06

Fixes a crash that some users were experiencing on iPhone.

### 2.0.17 — 2024-03-13

A small update to Google Drive integration to reduce scope access.

### 2.0.16 — 2023-05-19

Fixes a crash that could happen for some users when saving files to Google Drive.

### 2.0.15 — 2022-01-07

Just some bug fixes to keep everything running nicely.

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## More apps by Don Johnston Incorporated

- [Snap&Read Universal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snap-and-read-universal/id1179522220)

All apps by Don Johnston Incorporated: https://appshunter.io/developer/674099735

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*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 2026-06-05.*
