A Weak Afterthought
The version for iPhone has been more or less the same without a meaningful update in years.
Where are things like the beat board or note card views? Those are the key things I’d want in mobile. The iPad version is equally woeful, instead of being something in between the desktop and mobile edition— it’s just a giant sized version of the phone edition, which makes it clunkier to use and wastes all of the real estate. No additional features on iPad— it doesn’t even seem to respond intelligently to having a keyboard connected. It’s just so far from being great when — for crying out loud, it’s Final Draft— it should be the King of the Hill. Lazy!
Where are things like the beat board or note card views? Those are the key things I’d want in mobile. The iPad version is equally woeful, instead of being something in between the desktop and mobile edition— it’s just a giant sized version of the phone edition, which makes it clunkier to use and wastes all of the real estate. No additional features on iPad— it doesn’t even seem to respond intelligently to having a keyboard connected. It’s just so far from being great when — for crying out loud, it’s Final Draft— it should be the King of the Hill. Lazy!
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Passable, but frustrating
It works. But you can’t save copies, the file you work on is the file you work on. It auto-when you back out of the file and that’s that, which doesn’t help writers with anxiety.
I find highlighting text frustrating in this, which is a very basic thing for word processors. Shift-clicking doesn’t highlight like in other programs. And highlighting a large section with touch makes the app spasm uncontrollably so I have to highlight a few blocks of text at a time. Annoying. But it technically is functional, I guess. So 3 stars.
I find highlighting text frustrating in this, which is a very basic thing for word processors. Shift-clicking doesn’t highlight like in other programs. And highlighting a large section with touch makes the app spasm uncontrollably so I have to highlight a few blocks of text at a time. Annoying. But it technically is functional, I guess. So 3 stars.
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Was Great, Now Very Buggy
The app itself is good to write a script. It doesn’t come with the full-version’s bells and whistles, which is unfortunate, but it gets the job done. The BIG PROBLEM though is how buggy the app has become. I’m on iPadOS 16.1 with an M1 iPad Air, and routinely the bottom bar with the option to switch between “Scene”, “Action”, “Character”, etc just disappears with no way to bring it back. I constantly have to quit the app and restart, and then the bottom bar only stays visible for like 15-30 minutes before having to restart the app again, which makes it miserable for getting into a writing flow.
In Stage Manager view it also causes the app to bug out and enter into an eternal scroll when highlighting text with the cursor. So, again, the app is unusable in Stage Manager mode after highlighting text. It’s a functional screenplay app bogged down by bugs in the new iPadOS 16.
In Stage Manager view it also causes the app to bug out and enter into an eternal scroll when highlighting text with the cursor. So, again, the app is unusable in Stage Manager mode after highlighting text. It’s a functional screenplay app bogged down by bugs in the new iPadOS 16.
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It really does help with productivity.
I truly believe this app is worth what you pay for. Not only is it far cheaper than the desktop app (which I have) this one is far easier to use and helps with productivity greatly. My only complaints are; it needs to be easier to click on specific lines when trying to edit grammar or other spelling errors in you’re writing. Second, the two final draft apps should be compatible, although they use different programming, and supposable formatting, it would be nice for it to make edits on both apps at the same time. Other than that, it saves time, money, and might even be easier to use with the added features it has. Great app with an easy five star review!
This was an automaticity generated response for some reason but I absolutely 100% agree. Completely.
This was an automaticity generated response for some reason but I absolutely 100% agree. Completely.
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Add dark mode as an in app feature
Edit: please add a way to correct and change the smart type function. If I misspelled a characters named or a place there is no way to delete it outside of using my desktop version.
Also the cursor can be difficult to find when working on the large iPad. Could there be a presence setting where we can customize and choose a way to highlight. Or enlarge the cursory.
Currently you have to set dark mode globally under settings. It should be an in app feature. Otherwise app works well. Basic functionality. Good for writing on the go. Also would be useful to be able to use best board feature on the mobile version.
Also the cursor can be difficult to find when working on the large iPad. Could there be a presence setting where we can customize and choose a way to highlight. Or enlarge the cursory.
Currently you have to set dark mode globally under settings. It should be an in app feature. Otherwise app works well. Basic functionality. Good for writing on the go. Also would be useful to be able to use best board feature on the mobile version.
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Simple Task, Total Failure
Yesterday I needed to revise a few lines on a 3-page script I wrote in FD12, so I thought I’d do it on my 2018 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard - because that’s presumably what the mobile app is for. The first time I tried to edit text the app crashed upon selecting text with the trackpad - it just kept scrolling up and down over and over until I quit it. Then I managed to get it working and made revisions. The undo/redo situation was a little chaotic but whatever. Scene elements were solid. Exported PDF and most of Page 1 was inexplicably blank. So I went back to my computer and it took 10 seconds, but it’s pretty crappy to offer a companion app to professional software that may or may not output an usable file. Now that I’m thinking about it, I suppose Revision Mode might have defaulted to A/B pages, but it wasn’t like that when I opened the saved file on FD12. Overall the mobile app was the really frustrating to use, and I think that’s kind of the opposite of the point.
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Dialog Not Centered. Awkward text formatting.
Why is the dialog not centered on the page? Having the dialog justified to the left makes for a very awkward writing experience, especially when your device is in landscape mode. It really gives me a headache. Ideally, you should be able to edit your script in “page view” for a more 1:1 or analog writing experience. By comparison, this is something that can be done on the Celtx mobile screenwriting app, in fact, it’s the default on that app and makes for a much, much more enjoyable writing experience. I will jump up and down with excitement the day FD mobile finally implements this feature! I love this app but I truly think this a major shortcoming that should be urgently addressed. Screenwriters beware. Device: iPhone XR iOS Version: 15.5 FD Mobile Version: 6.0.6 Build 100
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Update issue
I've used this app for years and am grateful because it's so much easier to write in a comfortable chair with my iPad than with my laptop. I just updated and am curious about a few things however. First, the general notes option has disappeared from the tools menu. Second, I put script notes in specific places and yet they don't stay where I put them. They migrate to different pages often scenes away from where they belong. Third, cutting scenes to paste in a different file can't be done all at once but rather only a few lines at a time. This is definitely more cumbersome than on my laptop. Perhaps the development team can fix these glitches?
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Sorta does the job
As a showrunner, I’m often needing to review scripts and note them while I’m out of the office and on the go. I have used Final Draft mobile for over five years, mostly with my teeth gritted. In that time, the app hasn’t evolved much. In recent years, it’s become glitchier and harder to work with. I truly hope Final Draft is able to put more energy into their mobile app to help accommodate on-the-go production.
I would greatly prefer if they made the mobile app on iPad (and perhaps iPhone) as robust as their desktop app, including all the same features. I would happily pay a premium for that.
I would greatly prefer if they made the mobile app on iPad (and perhaps iPhone) as robust as their desktop app, including all the same features. I would happily pay a premium for that.
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Good when it’s not crashing… which it does… constantly
Update April 17th, 2022: in addition to the app crashing when working directly out of Dropbox (it is better with this issue when files are stored directly on the iPad Pro - which contradicts the ‘mobile’ point), the mobile app also turns ‘characters’ into ‘actions’ on occasion. I work on iPad Pro and have the Windows 10.
I have been a Final Draft customer for almost 25 years. The short script is this; it crashes periodically when working with files in Dropbox, even with documents made available offline. It freezes… I quickly have to screenshot what I have done to ensure I don’t lose my latest work… then it crashes. I’m working on a current iPad Pro. I have Final Draft 12 on my computer, but use this mobile version when traveling or working away from home. Update: To FD - your ‘templated’ response is disappointing. Many people are currently having issues with FD Mobile. The Dropbox problem is very real. It makes this particular process frustrating and the app impractical to use. Instead of writing ‘99% of users are crash-free’, why not look into the actual problem?
I have been a Final Draft customer for almost 25 years. The short script is this; it crashes periodically when working with files in Dropbox, even with documents made available offline. It freezes… I quickly have to screenshot what I have done to ensure I don’t lose my latest work… then it crashes. I’m working on a current iPad Pro. I have Final Draft 12 on my computer, but use this mobile version when traveling or working away from home. Update: To FD - your ‘templated’ response is disappointing. Many people are currently having issues with FD Mobile. The Dropbox problem is very real. It makes this particular process frustrating and the app impractical to use. Instead of writing ‘99% of users are crash-free’, why not look into the actual problem?
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Decent app, but there’s one very strange bug
I really like this app (the ease of being able to write on the go on my IPad has been a game changer that no longer requires me to take a laptop and tablet with me wherever I go. That alone is worth the price of admission, IMO)
However, there are some truly weird glitches that occur for me sometimes with it. The most annoying one being that every time I try to highlight more than half a page of text to copy/paste, the program glitches out and won’t let me do it. On occasion it’s glitched so bad that I had to reboot the whole app (and lost a bit of work as a result). This can make the workflow very cumbersome, if you’re switching back and forth between drafts.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any chance this problem can get fixed in the near future? Truly, it’s the only thing wrong with the app… but it’s a pretty unfortunate flaw!
However, there are some truly weird glitches that occur for me sometimes with it. The most annoying one being that every time I try to highlight more than half a page of text to copy/paste, the program glitches out and won’t let me do it. On occasion it’s glitched so bad that I had to reboot the whole app (and lost a bit of work as a result). This can make the workflow very cumbersome, if you’re switching back and forth between drafts.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any chance this problem can get fixed in the near future? Truly, it’s the only thing wrong with the app… but it’s a pretty unfortunate flaw!
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Best Screenplay APP
Why I didn’t give this app 5 star is because it crashes when you have a large script. I noticed when my script got up past 11 pages it would wig out! Sometimes it just locks up. At 200MB it starts to lock and waits for it to catch up or something. Certainly not as good as the computer app. Never the less I like using it because it is convenient. I’ve moved away from the laptop to an iPad Pro and wish it didn’t have hang ups otherwise it would be an amazing app. I still like the brand and will stick with it.
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Move the Undo button over
This app is pretty great. A little buggy when using a Bluetooth keyboard and scrolling up but that’s just a visual thing.
However, I have a big issue with the Undo button placement. It’s not a finger’s width away from the arrow button that takes you to the Recent Items home screen. I lost an entire page of work when I accidentally clicked on Undo and then the arrow. It’s remarkably easy to do, especially when you have uncoordinated hands made for mashing down on a keyboard.
I am using an iPad Pro in landscape mode.
However, I have a big issue with the Undo button placement. It’s not a finger’s width away from the arrow button that takes you to the Recent Items home screen. I lost an entire page of work when I accidentally clicked on Undo and then the arrow. It’s remarkably easy to do, especially when you have uncoordinated hands made for mashing down on a keyboard.
I am using an iPad Pro in landscape mode.
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Review final draft mobile needs fixing
To company,
I very much enjoy writing on final draft mobile. I see more improvement on laptop or desktop.
The mobile as bugs that are in need major improvements. Some are: the same way auto save from laptop the writing progress also in mobile, email option, a drawing illustration would be terrific as I am multitasking and want to learn how to animate my story, needs fixing on crashes and freeZes when it’s more 19 pages. I’m waiting for new final draft 13.
Thank you.
I very much enjoy writing on final draft mobile. I see more improvement on laptop or desktop.
The mobile as bugs that are in need major improvements. Some are: the same way auto save from laptop the writing progress also in mobile, email option, a drawing illustration would be terrific as I am multitasking and want to learn how to animate my story, needs fixing on crashes and freeZes when it’s more 19 pages. I’m waiting for new final draft 13.
Thank you.
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Still Constantly Freezing
A year later still having the same issues, I work on my scripts from a Dropbox folder so I can quickly go from Desktop to Mobile and back and forth, but every few sentences of typing the app just freezes, and I can do nothing but wait, sometimes as long as FIVE MINUTES!!! Incredibly frustrating when you’re on a roll only to be stopped, was really hoping this would have been fixed by now since it’s been over a year. I guess not.
Selecting text is a huge pain as well, I try to select a scene so I can copy paste and as I’m selecting going down the page the screen just starts going crazy jerking and bouncing up and down erratically while BARELY making any progress on what’s been selected as I scroll, it takes ages…
Selecting text is a huge pain as well, I try to select a scene so I can copy paste and as I’m selecting going down the page the screen just starts going crazy jerking and bouncing up and down erratically while BARELY making any progress on what’s been selected as I scroll, it takes ages…
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Not Ideal with an iPad keyboard and trackpad
As others have noted, the way keyboards and trackpads work with the app is a struggle. There is little precision when moving the cursor, so generally I have to put it in the vicinity of where I want it and then use the arrow keys to find the exact place.
Also, selecting large sections of text is virtually impossible. You cannot click drag and scroll up or down, which means you can only select what’s currently on-screen. So cutting or copying large sections means doing it in 1/3-page chunks… not practical. (And no, shift-click does not work to select either.) I honestly don’t know how anyone could use this app professionally without being able to, say, select two pages of content at once.
Also, selecting large sections of text is virtually impossible. You cannot click drag and scroll up or down, which means you can only select what’s currently on-screen. So cutting or copying large sections means doing it in 1/3-page chunks… not practical. (And no, shift-click does not work to select either.) I honestly don’t know how anyone could use this app professionally without being able to, say, select two pages of content at once.
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Fantastic service.
Had a small issue with the app. Emailed support and expected to get a run around and little help. It’s a ten dollar app and the full desktop program is 200 bucks. I figured wrongly. Eddie is not only patient and helpful but offered to let me attach the script file for him to fix for me. I got it on my own. But I didn’t have to. And that matters so much. I Will eventually get the desktop full version for long weekend revisions of future projects, but this IOS version works really well for 10 dollars and I’m learning a lot! Give Eddie a bonus please!
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Cursor behavior on iPad
On my iPad Pro (2020), I'm getting weird cursor behavior with Final Draft Mobile. When I click after the last sentence in a dialogue section, the blinking line appears to the left of the period. If I start typing it acts as if the cursor was actually to the right of the period, so it's kind of okay. A much worse behavior is in trying to highlight a section of text. The way I usually do it is to click at one end of the selection, then shift-click at the other end. It works on every editing app I've ever used. Not this one. The cursor just moves to the other end, with no highlighting. The workaround would be to shift-click-drag, but that doesn't work either. It just moves the cursor without any highlight. I've contacted Final Draft support about this. Apparently their iPad acts fine. For me, it makes the mobile version almost unusable. I have to say, the desktop version, much pricier, has none of these problems. Since I do my work half-and-half on my Mac and my iPad, it will probably keep me from using Final Draft as my main editor. Too bad, because it has several nice features.
Same behavior exactly on my 2015 iPad. Further research indicates that Final Draft expects you to double click a word, and then drag the little wings out to select a section of text. Then they provide a (Copy/Cut) balloon above. This is not good. One needs to be able to use the built-in editing capabilities on Apple products, IMHO.
Same behavior exactly on my 2015 iPad. Further research indicates that Final Draft expects you to double click a word, and then drag the little wings out to select a section of text. Then they provide a (Copy/Cut) balloon above. This is not good. One needs to be able to use the built-in editing capabilities on Apple products, IMHO.
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Not for professionals - Unusable with iPad Pro keyboard
Using this app with the iPad keyboard for iPad Pro 2nd generation (latest software). Every time I hit the Command key, it changes the text format to a scene heading. Since the Command key is what I use to - Copy, paste, go home, switch apps, bold text, almost everything - this renders the app nearly unusable.
And I’m not saying this as an amateur. I’m a professional script coordinator on a primetime Fox animated show, which means I operate in Final Draft probably more than most professional screenwriters. I use almost all the features built into the software, and I spend a lot of time in FD on my laptop.
Professionals don’t want to tap the screen every time they need to copy and paste or go to the home screen or change the text to underline or bold, or anything like that. They want to use keyboard shortcuts, which are faster and more efficient than reaching up to tap the screen. But because of this heinous bug, I can’t do that.
Final Draft has been criticized in the past for not optimizing their software, instead spending more on marketing than on development - and for good reason. This app is proof of that. Sorry, that’s just my experience.
And I’m not saying this as an amateur. I’m a professional script coordinator on a primetime Fox animated show, which means I operate in Final Draft probably more than most professional screenwriters. I use almost all the features built into the software, and I spend a lot of time in FD on my laptop.
Professionals don’t want to tap the screen every time they need to copy and paste or go to the home screen or change the text to underline or bold, or anything like that. They want to use keyboard shortcuts, which are faster and more efficient than reaching up to tap the screen. But because of this heinous bug, I can’t do that.
Final Draft has been criticized in the past for not optimizing their software, instead spending more on marketing than on development - and for good reason. This app is proof of that. Sorry, that’s just my experience.
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Good... but could be better
JUNE 2021 UPDATE - great support this time helping me figure it out - so for anyone with issues exporting to pdf either during or shutting off revision mode - I had the iPad on night mode and when I turned that off, for whatever reason, the pdf exported just fine.
On FD Mobile, exporting to PDF while in revision mode causes text to be missing throughout the document.
FEB 2021 Revision - support recommends I “don’t use revision mode” - why have it then!? Easy fix I finally figured out by myself is that turning off revision mode fixes the export to PDF issue but that is just a little unfortunate.
On FD Mobile, exporting to PDF while in revision mode causes text to be missing throughout the document.
FEB 2021 Revision - support recommends I “don’t use revision mode” - why have it then!? Easy fix I finally figured out by myself is that turning off revision mode fixes the export to PDF issue but that is just a little unfortunate.
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