Apple Highlights 'Scribble to Siri' Feature on iPadOS 18.1 in Interview - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Highlights 'Scribble to Siri' Feature on iPadOS 18.1 in Interview

In 2020, iPadOS 14 was released with a "Scribble" feature that automatically converts any handwriting written with the Apple Pencil into typed text. Scribble works in any text field, and this means the feature works with the revamped Siri on iPadOS 18.1.

iPadOS Scribble Feature
iPadOS 18.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, including the ability to type to Siri in an on-screen overlay. Given that Scribble works in any text field, this means you can now write a Siri query with an Apple Pencil and it will automatically be converted to typed text. Apple highlighted this "Scribble to Siri" feature, and discussed the new iPad mini, in an interview with TechRadar's Jacob Krol this week.

Apple previously confirmed that iPadOS 18.1 will be released to the public next week.

Scribble works with any Apple Pencil, but the revamped version of Siri is limited to devices with Apple Intelligence, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models equipped with the M1 chip, M2 chip, M4 chip, or A17 Pro chip.

Scribble to SiriScribble to Siri (Credit: TechRadar)

Typing to Siri technically already existed as an accessibility setting, but you could not easily switch between typing and talking to Siri like you can now.

Read the full interview with Apple marketing employees Tom Boger and Kurt Knight on TechRadar for more details about Scribble to Siri and more.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

Monday May 11, 2026 9:01 am PDT by
We're only four months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a...
iOS 26

iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Monday May 11, 2026 5:09 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until iOS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and...
General Apps Reddit Feature

Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead

Monday May 11, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica...

Top Rated Comments

mrat93 Avatar
20 months ago
Finally, an inconvenient way to use Siri.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
20 months ago
They should call this new feature Newton! :)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrr Avatar
20 months ago
Now, if only the iPhone Pro Max would support the Apple Pencil…
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Flight Plan Avatar
20 months ago
I look forward to this feature.
I look forward to trying this feature.
And I look forward to deciding for myself whether or not I like the feature, and whether I will use it or not.
Thank you MacRumors for telling me about it.
Thank you MacRumors mob, for telling me you hate it even before you have tried it.

There are a few folks who are willing to withhold their pessimism and see if this is going to be a good thing. I'm with you folks. "Wait and see" is a good plan.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
20 months ago
“Scribble“ the input, which will ironically also match the output from Siri
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chungry Avatar
20 months ago
eat up Martha?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)