Quick answer
Select text in almost any app, tap Writing Tools in the menu above it, then choose Proofread, Rewrite, a tone (Friendly, Professional or Concise) or Summarize. On Mac, Control-click the selection and choose Writing Tools. It needs Apple Intelligence, so an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, an M-series or A17 Pro iPad, or an Apple silicon Mac.
What you need before you start
Writing Tools first arrived in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 as part of Apple Intelligence, and it runs only on hardware that supports Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone: an A17 Pro chip or newer, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are not supported.
- iPad: an M-series chip, or the A17 Pro in the iPad mini (A17 Pro).
- Mac: any Mac with Apple silicon.
Apple Intelligence also has to be switched on in Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri. If the switch is missing, our guide on how to enable Apple Intelligence covers language, region and storage problems.
How to open Writing Tools
The feature lives inside the system's text editing, so you reach it the same way in Mail, Messages, Notes and most third-party apps.
On iPhone and iPad
- Double-tap a word, then drag the handles to cover the text you want to change.
- In the menu that appears above the selection, tap Writing Tools. If you don't see it, tap the arrow at the end of the menu.
- Pick the tool you want from the panel.
When text is selected, a Writing Tools icon can also appear in the bar above the keyboard. Tapping it is often quicker than going through the selection menu.
On Mac
- Select the text.
- Control-click or right-click the selection.
- Choose Writing Tools, then the option you want.
Apps such as Notes and Mail also show a Writing Tools button in the toolbar.
How to proofread text
Proofread fixes grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice while leaving your sentences intact. Select the text, open Writing Tools and tap Proofread.
Here is the kind of error it is built for:
| Before | After Proofread |
|---|---|
| I should of checked this earlier but their were some issues with they're system. | I should have checked this earlier but there were some issues with their system. |
That sentence holds three classic mistakes, and Proofread catches all of them. Each change is highlighted. Tap one to see why it was made, and use the arrows to move between changes and accept or reject each one. Grammar and spelling fixes are usually right. Style changes deserve a second look, because a phrase flagged as awkward may be one you chose on purpose.
How to rewrite text in a different tone
Rewrite gives you a new version of the selection with the same meaning. You can ask for a general rewrite or choose a tone.
| Option | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Rewrite | Rephrases the text without a set tone | A sentence that works but reads clumsily |
| Friendly | Warmer and more conversational | Messages to friends, family or close colleagues |
| Professional | More formal, drops casual phrasing | Work email, requests, complaints |
| Concise | Cuts extra words and repetition | Long first drafts and rambling texts |
A typical Professional rewrite turns "The meeting got moved because the client had some stuff come up at the last minute" into "The meeting was rescheduled because the client had an urgent matter to address at the last minute." You keep the point and lose the filler.
If the result is not right, try again for another version or switch back to your original. Always read a rewrite before sending it, since it can shift emphasis or drop a detail you meant to keep.
How to summarize text
Summarize condenses a longer passage. Select a few paragraphs or a full document, open Writing Tools and choose one of four formats:
- Summary: a short paragraph covering the main idea.
- Key Points: a bulleted list of the most important points.
- List: the content turned into a structured list.
- Table: the content arranged into rows and columns.
Summaries drop nuance by design. Tone, careful diplomatic wording and sarcasm tend to disappear, so do not rely on a summary when the exact words matter, such as in contracts or sensitive personal messages. For mail specifically, the summaries built into the Mail app are covered in our guide to Apple Intelligence email summaries.
Workflows that save time
Writing Tools is most useful once it becomes a habit attached to tasks you already do.
Write fast, polish once
Draft an email without worrying about phrasing, then run Professional over the whole message and finish with Proofread. Splitting writing from editing makes both faster.
Cut long messages down
Before you send a long text, run Concise to see whether it can be shorter. Compare it with your original and keep whichever sounds more like you.
Turn notes into something shareable
After a meeting, select your rough notes in Notes and use Key Points or List to turn them into a summary you can paste into a follow-up email.
Build the habit with one tool
Pick a single tool, such as Proofread on every work email, and use it for a week before adding another. You will soon find which options you reach for and which you can ignore.
What to do if Writing Tools doesn't work
- The option is missing: check that your device supports Apple Intelligence and that it is turned on and fully downloaded.
- It works in some apps but not others: apps with custom text editors may not support it. Copy the text into Notes, edit it there and paste it back.
- Results look odd: select a smaller, complete passage. Very short fragments give the tools little to work with.
- A change went too far: switch back to the original, or use the app's undo.
What to do next
Once Proofread and the tone options are part of your routine, try the rest of Apple Intelligence. Our list of Apple Intelligence tricks to try first covers photo search, call summaries and Clean Up, and the guide to Apple Intelligence in Messages shows how the same tools help with replies.
Frequently asked questions
Which devices support Apple Intelligence Writing Tools?
Writing Tools needs Apple Intelligence. On iPhone that means an A17 Pro chip or newer, so the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and later models qualify, but not the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus. On iPad it needs an M-series chip or the A17 Pro in the iPad mini. On Mac it needs Apple silicon. The feature arrived in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1.
Why don't I see Writing Tools on my iPhone?
Check three things. First, your iPhone must support Apple Intelligence, which starts with the iPhone 15 Pro. Second, Apple Intelligence must be switched on in Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri and finished downloading its models. Third, you need to select text first: Writing Tools appears in the menu above the selection, and you may need to tap the arrow to see more options.
Does Writing Tools work in third-party apps?
Yes, in most of them. Writing Tools is part of the system's text editing, so apps that use Apple's standard text fields get it without extra work from the developer. That covers many email clients, note apps and messaging apps. Some apps with custom editors may not show it. In that case, copy the text into Notes, edit it there and paste it back.
Can I undo a Writing Tools change?
Yes. After a rewrite you can switch back to the original before you accept the result, and after Proofread you can step through each suggested change and reject the ones you disagree with. If you have already accepted a change, the app's normal undo still works, such as shaking the iPhone to undo or pressing Command-Z on a Mac.
Is my text sent to Apple when I use Writing Tools?
Apple Intelligence processes most requests on the device itself. Requests that need a larger model can go to Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers, which Apple says do not store your data. For private or legal text, read the result carefully before you send it.
What is the difference between Rewrite and Proofread?
Proofread keeps your wording and fixes mistakes: grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice, with an explanation for each change. Rewrite rephrases the whole selection, either as a general alternative or in a chosen tone such as Friendly, Professional or Concise. Use Proofread when the content is right but needs polish, and Rewrite when it reads awkwardly or sounds wrong for the audience.