# Not Emacs

> Emacs-like text editor for programmers with iCloud sync and syntax highlighting. (iPhone/iPad app by Marc Feeley.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-emacs/id948330589 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marc Feeley](https://appshunter.io/developer/434534079)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 21 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.1 · 18 MB
- Languages: enc
- Released: 2015-02-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-emacs/id948330589/reviews.md

## What is Not Emacs?

Not Emacs is a text editor for programmers that supports many of the most common emacs keybindings.  It allows editing iCloud documents that are automatically available from other devices. The app has been designed to be used with an external Bluetooth keyboard, but if you forgot it at home, it is still possible to get by with the extended virtual keyboard.

This app is based on the ymacs editor (http://www.ymacs.org) and the Gambit Scheme programming system (http://gambitscheme.org).  It has syntax highlighting for the following languages: Lisp, Scheme, JavaScript, CSS and XML.

## Key features

- Emacs keybinding support
- iCloud document editing
- Syntax highlighting (Lisp, Scheme, JS, CSS, XML)
- External Bluetooth keyboard optimization
- Extended virtual keyboard

## Recent user reviews (10 of 14)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-emacs/id948330589/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Where are the files stored?

*2023-03-02*

Where are the files stored?

### 5/5 — i want to love this more than any other app ..

*2022-08-10*

but i can not

you can write to your heart's content but you can not get the text back out

i still hold out hope that the developer may fix this issue

### 4/5 — No org mode

*2022-03-22*

I was looking for the org mode, but it appears it’s not available.

### 5/5 — Neat!

*2021-12-18*

Awesome work dev!

### 2/5 — can’t find meta on the virtual keyboard

*2020-12-22, version 1.1*

unusable to me, i can’t figure out how yo fo the META key

### 1/5 — Can’t get text in, and probably not out either

*2020-02-08*

I have text I created in Notes that I would like to edit. I can’t find a way to get the text into “Not Emacs". What’s the point of having the tool on my iPhone if I can’t use it.

### 1/5 — Can’t find the text file

*2020-01-26*

As one reviewer pointed out, you simply cannot find the text file after a save. This is a show stopper. I have seen some say that the text file is stored in the icloud, somewhere. But where, I do not know. The key is to use a usb adapter to enable a proper usb keyboard to be used. NOT Emacs really needs it (I am using this full sized keyboard to type now). What dream!The voice rec always makes me want to “wreck a nice beach” ! 
So, this is a critical part of getting not emacs to perform. But if taking minutes at a meeting is important, it is only because we can share those minutes! So where do they go and how do we send them to others via e-mail?
Lost in Space!
Danger Will Robinson!
Take Cover Dr. Smith!!

Lets change the name from Its NOT EMACS to IT SNOT EMACS!!!

The idea that implementing emacs on IOS would somehow violate GPL is without foundation. What a bunch of weapons grade bullonium

### 3/5 — Great so far

*2018-06-18, version 1.1*

Needs more.  Would benefit greatly from syntax highlighting.  Would also be really good to somehow incorporate a python interpreter, and possibly a C compiler under a “tools” menu.  I’m not as iOS developer so I’m not sure how practical it would be to add those features (but I can tell you for sure I would use them daily).

### 5/5 — étudiant en ift1015

*2018-03-14, version 1.1*

je suis étudiant au cours ift1015 de udem et je n'aurais jamais cru trouver une application qui allait m'être aussi utile et créée par mon professeur ! 

je suis très impressionné !

pourrais-je suggérer la possibilité de sauvegarder nos creations dans google drive ou dropbox ? ce serait genial

### 1/5 — This is no Emacs

*2017-12-28*

I love Emacs.  I’ve used it since Emacs 17 and before.  But I can’t use this.  It doesn’t accept my Elisp code, and it doesn’t have equivalents.  It doesn’t have the suite of accompanying programs so necessary to using Emacs—aspell, latex, wc, etc.  And it doesn’t have filesystem access.  More than anything else, a lack of a real filesystem cripples it.

I have high hopes that this can integrate with iCloud Drive / Files, but suspect it has to wait on Apple to allow interpreters to run on such files.

**Developer response:** Emacs in its full glory can't be an iOS app because this would violate the GPL. Some users familiar with emacs are simply interested in an editor on iOS with similar keybindings and interface. This app is called Not Emacs to make it very clear that this is not emacs. It is unfortunate that you reviewed this app for what it isn't rather than what it is.

## Frequently asked questions about Not Emacs

### What is Not Emacs?

Not Emacs is a text editor designed for programmers that supports many common Emacs keybindings. It allows you to edit iCloud documents and offers syntax highlighting for languages like Lisp, Scheme, JavaScript, CSS, and XML.

### Does Not Emacs support iCloud?

Yes, Not Emacs allows editing of iCloud documents, which are automatically available from other devices. This ensures your work is synced and accessible across your Apple ecosystem.

### What languages does Not Emacs have syntax highlighting for?

Not Emacs provides syntax highlighting for Lisp, Scheme, JavaScript, CSS, and XML. This feature helps improve code readability and makes it easier to spot errors.

### Is Not Emacs optimized for external keyboards?

The app is designed to be used with an external Bluetooth keyboard. However, it also includes an extended virtual keyboard for situations where an external keyboard is not available.

### What is the rating of Not Emacs?

Not Emacs has a rating of 4.0 stars based on 21 ratings. This indicates a generally positive reception from its users.

### How often is Not Emacs updated?

Not Emacs was last updated on February 22, 2015, to version 1.1. The initial release date was February 5, 2015. Users may wish to check for newer versions if available.

### What devices is Not Emacs available on?

Not Emacs is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to run on Apple's mobile operating systems.

### Does Not Emacs have ads?

No, Not Emacs does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use without any ad interruptions.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.1 — 2015-02-22

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Fixed issue which caused crash on 64 bit devices (iPhone5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus)

### 1.0 — 2015-02-05

No release notes.

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## More apps by Marc Feeley

- [Gambit REPL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gambit-repl/id434534076)

All apps by Marc Feeley: https://appshunter.io/developer/434534079

## Related topics

[not emacs](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/not-emacs) · [emacs](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/emacs) · [emac ep](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/emac-ep)

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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 2026-06-11.*