Canva today announced the launch of Affinity for iPad, delivering the same professional‑grade sketch, vector, photo‑editing and layout capabilities that users enjoy on desktop, now in a touch‑first interface. The app is free for individual users, though a Canva account is required, and it adds a dedicated Sketch Studio built around Apple Pencil Pro features.
Key takeaways
- Affinity for iPad combines four studios—Sketch, Vector, Pixel and Layout—into a single .af file.
- Core tools are free; AI features require a Canva Pro subscription ($18 / month).
- Designed specifically for iPad, it supports Apple Pencil Pro pressure, tilt, barrel roll, squeeze and hover.
- Some desktop‑only features (Books, Batch, Data Merge, etc.) are missing at launch.
- The app is available now on the App Store for iPadOS 18.0 or later.
What Affinity for iPad actually offers
The iPad version mirrors the all‑in‑one desktop suite that merged Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher last year. Users can toggle between four studios without leaving the file:
- Sketch Studio: Freehand drawing with a customizable brush library; “Sketch to Shapes” converts rough strokes into editable vectors.
- Vector Studio: Precise node editing for logos, icons and illustrations.
- Pixel (Photo) Studio: RAW editing, non‑destructive adjustments, and a Mask Tool that tracks hair, fur or foliage using the Apple Pencil.
- Layout Studio: Multi‑page documents, master pages and print‑ready output.
All work is saved in the native .af format, which can be opened on desktop versions of Affinity, ensuring seamless cross‑device workflow.
Apple Pencil Pro integration
Canva built the iPad UI from the ground up, rather than shrinking the desktop layout. It fully leverages Apple Pencil Pro capabilities, including:
- Pressure and tilt for dynamic brush strokes.
- Barrel roll, squeeze and hover gestures for quick tool shortcuts.
- Hover detection for previewing cursor position without touching the screen.
These gestures let creators access tools and shortcuts without breaking their creative flow.
AI features – optional but powerful
The core design tools are free, but Canva’s AI Studio is a paid add‑on available through a Canva Pro plan ($18 per month). AI tools include:
- Generative Expand – extend backgrounds or scenes intelligently.
- Image upscaling and noise reduction.
- Decompose Layer – split a flat raster into editable layers.
- Automatic motion blur and other smart enhancements.
Since the AI suite is optional, users who only need the traditional design tools can stay completely free.
What’s missing compared to desktop
Affinity’s website lists several features that are not yet present on iPad, such as:
| Missing desktop features |
|---|
| Books |
| Batch processing |
| Data Merge |
| Quick Adjustments panel |
| Info and Scope panels |
| Macro recording |
| Astrophotography Studio |
Canva says these will be added over time, but the current release already covers the majority of daily creative tasks.
How to get started
1. Open the App Store on an iPad running iPadOS 18.0 or later.
2. Search for “Affinity by Canva” and tap Get (free).
3. Launch the app and sign in with a free Canva account.
4. Choose a studio—Sketch, Vector, Pixel or Layout—to begin a new .af project or open an existing file from desktop.
If you want AI enhancements, upgrade to Canva Pro within the app’s settings.
What this means for creators
Designers, illustrators and photographers who already rely on Affinity on Mac or Windows now have a fully featured, no‑cost alternative on iPad. The integration of Sketch Studio makes early concept work faster, while the ability to finish a multi‑page layout without a desktop streamlines on‑the‑go workflows. Existing Canva users also gain immediate access to their AI tools on a portable device.
What happens next
Canva has pledged to add the omitted desktop features in future updates, and the company will likely expand the AI toolset as it refines the subscription offering. Users should watch for iPadOS updates that may improve performance or add new Pencil gestures. Meanwhile, the free core suite positions Affinity as a strong competitor to subscription‑heavy rivals for iPad designers.
FAQ
- Is Affinity for iPad really free? Yes, the core sketch, vector, photo and layout tools are free for individuals with a Canva account.
- Do I need a Canva Pro subscription? Only for AI Studio features; the subscription starts at $18 / month.
- Which iPad models can run the app? Any iPad that can run iPadOS 18.0 or later and supports Apple Pencil Pro.
- Can I open my desktop Affinity files on iPad? Yes, the .af file format is shared across iPad and desktop versions.
- What features are missing at launch? Desktop‑only tools like Books, Batch processing, Data Merge, Quick Adjustments, Info/Scope panels, macro recording and Astrophotography Studio are not yet available.