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 Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

mrat93 Avatar
18 weeks ago
Finally, an inconvenient way to use Siri.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iVoid Avatar
18 weeks ago
They should call this new feature Newton! :)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrr Avatar
18 weeks ago
Now, if only the iPhone Pro Max would support the Apple Pencil…
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Flight Plan Avatar
18 weeks 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)
Devyn89 Avatar
18 weeks ago
I dunno why I never considered this as a possibility. Cool.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
18 weeks ago
I used to use Scribble but it always deactivated my iPad's on-screen keyboard. Is that fixed?

I would think that people would like to use a combination of both Pencil and the keyboard –– at least that's how it feels it should be used. The Pencil exclusively is not a good text input mechanism.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)