# Handwriting Keyboard — Turn your handwriting to text

> Converts handwriting to typed text in any app, works offline. (iPhone/iPad app by Catalystwo.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Catalystwo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651079501)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 96 App Store ratings · 138 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.6 · 65 MB
- Languages: American English, Japanese
- Released: 2014-10-12
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392/reviews.md

## What is Handwriting Keyboard?

Quick and easy to turn your handwriting into inputted text in any app.
Works with any app, such as Safari, Mail, Notes, etc.

MyScript® engine converts your handwriting to typed text in any app.

Works offline.  No need to be online to use or activate online.

Compatible with Apple Pencil if your device supports it.


【HOW TO USE】

STEP 1:  Install this Handwriting Keyboard (U.S. English or Japanese, or both) from "Keyboard" section in "Settings" app.

Open Settings App　▶　Handwriting（This app's settings section）　▶　Keyboards　▶　Turn "English (US)" on.
  …or
Open Settings App　▶　General　▶　Keyboard　▶　Keyboards　▶　Add New Keyboards...　▶　Choose "Handwriting"　▶　Turn "English (US)" on.


STEP 2:  When inputting, such as when writing a mail message, long-press "Globe Button" on the keyboard to switch to this Handwriting Keyboard. 
(Tap "Globe Button" to switch to a next keyboard, long-press "Globe Button" to show keyboard list.)


* When inputting password, the iOS keyboard automatically switches to default keyboard.


【Note】
• For some apps that have original inputting area, such as "Slack", disable inline inputting.
• If you have enabled "Scribble", the button to activate a keyboard has a bug. Please tap "3 times" to activate this keyboard from Scribble.


Functionalities: [Tap gear button on the keyboard to customise]
• Auto enter after customsed delay
• Choose input area size from three sizes
• Choose enter button location from three options
• 2 finger scroll or 2 finger cursor move gesture
• Supports Apple Pencil with finger touch rejection
• Option to disable inline inputting
• Choose three line widths, four background color
• Supports Text Replacement
• Supports iOS13's dark mode and floating keyboard

Supported Languages: 
• English (U.S.)
• Japanese (including hiragana to kanji conversion)

This app does not recognize other languages than U.S. English and Japanese. This app does not recognise UK English. Diese App erkennt kein Deutsch. Esta aplicación no reconoce español. Este aplicativo não reconhece português. Denna app känner inte igen svenska. Cette application ne reconnaît pas le français. 이 응용 프로그램은 한글을 인식하지 않습니다.


MyScript® is a trademark of MyScript

## Key features

- Handwriting to text conversion
- Works in any app
- Offline functionality
- Apple Pencil support
- Customizable input settings
- Supports English and Japanese

## Recent user reviews (10 of 138)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392/reviews.md

### 3/5 — 新端末でもウィジェットが

*2026-05-17*

使えたらいいなぁ。

### 4/5 — 変換はピカイチだが、ややスピード感に欠ける

*2026-02-19*

ひらがな→漢字変換や変換候補の豊富さなどスクリブルに比べて優位性は高いが、一方で記入→変換候補から選ぶという動作はスクリブルのスピード感に比べて劣るのが非常に惜しい。
完全な改善にはつながらないかもしれないが、バックスペース、改行、スクロールボタンを左側にもつけてくれれば両手操作が出来るようになり、スピード感も改善されるのでは。

### 3/5 — ok

*2026-02-07*

it getting lagging so much more lately, please fix

### 4/5 — Flutterとの相性に難あるが、「いま」という入力で現時刻が候補に出るのは便利

*2026-01-13*

2026年現在、おそらく10年程愛用してきた。最近、iPhone標準の日本語手書きも導入し、普段は本アプリ、一部のアプリでの入力にはiPhone標準というように、使い分けている。

「いま」という入力に対して、現時刻が候補に並んでいることなど、本アプリの方が便利に感じることが多い。

しかしFlutterで開発されたアプリの入力に本アプリを使うと、手書き認識された文字列が、候補文字列選択後も残ってしまう。例えば「かいはつ」と書いて「開発」を選ぶと「かいはつ開発」という文字列が入力欄に並んでしまうので、そのようになったアプリの入力にはiPhone標準の日本語手書きを使っている。

### 3/5 — Almost good, but falls short

*2025-12-25*

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.

### 5/5 — まずまず快適。認識に不満なし。

*2025-12-16*

最初だけ使い方にとまどったが、慣れしまえば快適。いいかげんな書き方も認識してくれる。

### 5/5 — Almost as good as the GB oard one

*2025-04-29*

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 !

### 4/5 — Pleasent but needs some features.

*2025-04-23*

1. High handwriting resolution
2. Space button option to have it at the top of the keyboard.
3. When Apple Pencil hover is detected please make it ignore the handwriting.
4. Please add a native or first language dictation button somewhere on the keyboard.

### 4/5 — Good Alternative for native iPad Scribble

*2025-03-16*

This is a pretty nice replacement for Scribble on iPad. The UI can be a little buggy with some controls randomly overlapping even with the inline option turned off. Overall, it makes the handwriting-to-text experience on iPad a lot more polished. You can preview the conversion before committing it to your document, and the 2-line alternate writing option mimics the natural flow of regular writing. I have also noticed some random capitalization, and the writing strokes are pretty pixelated—like writing with a dull pencil versus a nice pen. It’s been a while since this app was updated so I hope it doesn’t die off.

### 5/5 — Five stars!!! EASY!

*2025-02-11, version 2.5.2*

I am writing this review using the App and an Adonit Mini 4 Stylus! It works beautifully! Also this app works as a notes To Do list that you can tick off ! Wish there was an iMac version.

## Frequently asked questions about Handwriting Keyboard

### What does the Handwriting Keyboard app do?

This app provides a keyboard that converts your handwriting directly into typed text. You can use it to input text in any application on your device, such as email, notes, or web browsers.

### How do I install and use the Handwriting Keyboard?

After installing the app, you need to enable it in your device's keyboard settings. Then, when the keyboard is active, long-press the Globe button to switch to the Handwriting Keyboard for input.

### Is the Handwriting Keyboard free to use?

Yes, the application is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the description.

### What devices and languages are supported?

The keyboard is compatible with devices that support Apple Pencil. It currently supports U.S. English and Japanese languages for handwriting recognition.

### Can I use this keyboard offline?

Yes, the app works completely offline. You do not need an internet connection to use its handwriting conversion features or to activate it.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.5.2 — 2022-11-13

Maintenance update

### 2.5.1 — 2022-11-08

Maintenance update

### 2.5 — 2022-08-25

Improved stability of floating keyboard with some devices

### 2.4.2 — 2022-04-22

Built for iOS 13 or later
Built with Xcode 13.3.1

### 2.4.1 — 2021-08-09

Stability improvements

## Apps similar to Handwriting Keyboard

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [FontMaker - Handwriting Art](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fontmaker-handwriting-art/id1585603833) | 4.6 (573) | Free | Utilities |
| [Handwriting Keyboard ™](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id1360599939) | 4.5 (1,011) | Free | Utilities |
| [Do Not Type - Speak and Polish](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/do-not-type-speak-and-polish/id6449760006) | 4.9 (36) | Free | Utilities |
| [mazec](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mazec/id943711253) | 3.6 (43) | $12.99 | Utilities |
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## More apps by Catalystwo

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All apps by Catalystwo: https://appshunter.io/developer/1651079501

## Related topics

[make your own keyboard handwriting](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/make-your-own-keyboard-handwriting) · [cantonese handwriting](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cantonese-handwriting) · [stylus myscript](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/stylus-myscript) · [kaomoji handwriting keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kaomoji-handwriting-keyboard) · [chinese keyboard handwriting](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chinese-keyboard-handwriting) · [handwriting keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/handwriting-keyboard) · [catalystwo](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/catalystwo) · [japanese handwriting keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/japanese-handwriting-keyboard)

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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 2026-09-05.*