- Writing Tools can rewrite text in various styles
- You can also use it to proofread or reformat copy
- It works in any app that allows you to type
iOS 18 introduces system-wide Writing Tools that can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in almost any app. You can adjust the tone of your writing to suit different audiences and tasks, and get instant grammar and style suggestions powered by AI. It’s a bit like a super-powered spellcheck tool.
This feature is available as part of the Apple Intelligence Beta in iOS 18.1, and will require an AI-compatible device.
Writing Tools
This feature being built into the nuts and bolts of iOS means you can access it anywhere you can write text – not just Apple’s own apps. Double-tap any word to select it and drag the yellow nodes to select an entire chunk of text. Then either press Writing Tools from the context menu or tap the Apple Intelligence icon on the QuickType bar.
You’ll see an interface pop up where the keyboard usually sits, with a series of one-button commands that do exactly what you’d expect from their names. Here’s a quick primer on how they work.
Proofread
Tap Proofread and the AI will check over your work like an editor, fixing errors as it goes.
You can scroll through the suggested changes with the up and down buttons to see an explanation of each change, and press Use Original if you disagree and want to revert the change.
Rewrite
The main Rewrite button simply phrases your text in a different way, which can be handy if you can’t quite find the right words or you want to see some variations. You can retry as many times as you like for a slightly different take each time.
But the rewrite tool becomes more powerful once you ask it to adjust the tone of your writing. Try the Friendly, Professional, or Concise options to have your copy reworked in the chosen style.
Reformat
Similarly, the options along the bottom of the Writing Tools interface help you to reformat your ideas so they can be presented in a new way. Choose between Summary, Key Points, List, and Table and the AI will do its best to translate your prose into the chosen format. If you like the results, hit Replace to insert it in place of the old text, or Copy if you’d rather paste it down somewhere else.
Pro tip: try taking down ideas in an audio note, then transcribe the audio. Turn your rambling word vomit into a concise and coherent plan with the Key Points tool. It’s a great way to convert what’s in your brain to something you could pitch to someone!