How to Use Freeform: Free iPhone App Makes Note-Taking Easier for Book Lovers

For book lovers, they probably read dozens of books a year. This simple whiteboard app replaces messy highlighters and scattered text notes. Here's a step-by-step system to keep your notes organized, intuitive, and even fun to review.

Table of Contents

• Why isn't Freeform just for creators?
• How to Use Freeform to Create Book Notes
• Start a visual book summary
• Record highlights first, sort later
• Pin keywords and chapter quotes as Sticky Notes
• Track recurring themes in a book
• Create mind maps with Connectors
• Create a character map
• Link notes to pages or highlights
• Navigate between sections using the Scenes Navigator

Why isn't Freeform just for creators?

Freeform is Apple's collaborative whiteboard app. It's also one of the best apps for visual note-taking on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Its limitless canvas and flexible features make it suitable for both spontaneous and structured book notes.

It also doesn't take long to get used to, so you can learn how to use Freeform in 10 minutes or less, ideal for those of us who are design-challenged.

Thanks to seamless syncing across Apple devices, you can take notes on your iPad and use the smaller iPhone screen to review them on the go. The Apple Pencil makes note-taking easier, but don’t let the lack of an iPad or Apple Pencil stop you from using Freeform. Using Freeform directly from your iPhone or Mac is just as easy.

How to Use Freeform to Create Book Notes

While Freeform has become the go-to app for taking book notes, you don't need to use it for every book. You can take your time when you want to recall what you read in a particular book. Doing so will help you take more targeted notes.

The whiteboard app's ability to link multiple media types allows you to capture your thoughts in whatever format feels most natural to you. The most important feature is Scenes , which are like jump points for specific views of the board.

Each book starts as a new project on a new Freeform board.

Start a visual book summary

Place your book cover photo in the center of the Freeform canvas, you can easily add this by searching online or using a photo from your library.

Around this central node, create a content map by listing chapters with what you think is the main content of the chapter.

Tip : Simplify chapter titles in your own words.

Record highlights first, sort later

You can take notes while reading. People often like to take notes after finishing a chapter, this helps you remember what you have read.

The idea is to jot them down first and edit them later. You can use Sticky Notes, insert text boxes, or scribble with Apple Pencil.

Note : To move a note or any other object on your iPhone/iPad, tap anywhere on the blank space. Then tap Select Objects and select each item you want to select.

Pin keywords and chapter quotes as Sticky Notes

Sticky Notes in Freeform aren't just yellow rectangles - they can be resized, colored, or filled with emojis via your keyboard. You can use them to bookmark quotes you want to refer to later.

Arrange Sticky Notes on top of each other hierarchically. Select Sticky note > Ellipsis > Back or Front .

Track recurring themes in a book

Almost every book revolves around one or a few themes. Freeform's Infinite Canvas is perfect for keeping track of recurring themes within a book.

Create separate sections on the board for each theme. Choose a decorative font (e.g. Chalkduster) in a larger size from the text tools and highlight it with a specific color to make the section stand out.

You can then use the Scene Navigator to zoom in and out through the themes.

Create mind maps with Connectors

Mind maps are one of the best visual aids for any brain task. You can quickly create a mind map in Freeform using Connectors.

On any Freeform board, click the stacked squares icon at the top. Select Show Connectors . Start your mind map by adding Sticky Notes, shapes, text boxes, or media.

Select and drag the small connecting arrows to the next point on the mind map. Release and select a new shape from the Shapes library .

To add aligned, evenly spaced shapes with connectors, tap a shape, hold its connector arrow to preview it, and release to add.

Create a character map

Let's say you're reading Dune or A Song of Ice and Fire. Books like these are all about characters and their motivations. If you're having trouble remembering who's related to who, a simple Freeform outline might help.

Use Connectors or the Shapes library for arrows and other objects (e.g. Trees for family trees!). Show relationships by labeling arrows and shapes with the Text tool.

Basic shapes can be customized with green dots. Other shapes can be resized and colored. Try the Break Apart option for some multi-part geometric shapes where you can customize each part of the shape.

Tip : For a more visual character map, search Google for actor portraits or fan art (e.g., "Jon Snow portrait"), save them in the Photos app, then drag them into Freeform.

Link notes to pages or highlights

It's also important to link your main points and ideas to locations within a larger image. You can use simple text boxes to note the page numbers of your book or add some decoration.

Use a simple Off-Page Connector Shape to hold a text box with page numbers.

For online articles, you can easily add clickable hyperlinks. Drag a link from Safari or another app into your board. You can also highlight a section of a web page directly and copy it as a link to Freeform. Alternatively, tap the Picture icon in the upper right and select Link .

From the same menu, you can add photos, videos, and even audio clips to enrich your notes.

Navigate between sections using the Scenes Navigator

Swiping through the infinite Freeform table can be cumbersome. Freeform can save specific views of the table, making it easy to quickly navigate through different parts of your book notes.

To capture parts of your notes, tap the star icon in the lower left corner of the board. Tap the Scenes list icon again , then tap the Add Scene button .

Create “scenes” for chapters, themes, or characters — like a table of contents for your board. Then, tap on a scene thumbnail to zoom directly to that section and avoid endless scrolling.

Note : You can print your entire book notes on the board or specific scenes ( File > Print Scenes ).

Freeform's simplicity makes it easy to take and review your book notes. Text, photos, Sticky Notes, and handwriting all sit on the board. Unlike cramped note-taking apps, Freeform lets you zoom out to see your entire reading journey at a glance.