How to Use iOS 26 Writing Tools (Rewrite, Summarize)

iOS 26 Writing Tools, powered by Apple Intelligence, appear in text fields across iPhone to help you rewrite, proofread, summarize, and adjust tone. Access: long-press selected text > Writing Tools (or tap the Writing Tools icon in the keyboard toolbar).

What Writing Tools Does

Proofread: checks grammar and spelling with suggested corrections. Accept all or individually.

Rewrite: rewrites the selected text while preserving meaning.

Make Shorter: condenses to key points.

Make Longer: expands with more detail.

Change Tone: options include Friendly, Professional, Concise.

Summarize: distills long text to a summary.

Create List: converts prose to bullet points or numbered list.

Create Table: converts structured data or prose to a formatted table.

Where Writing Tools Appear

Writing Tools appear in Apple Notes, Mail, Messages, and any third-party app that supports the standard iOS text editing API. Most note apps (Bear, Craft, Notion for iOS) gain Writing Tools automatically.

Requirements

iPhone 15 Pro or later. iOS 18 or later for initial Writing Tools. iOS 26 expands language support. Language must be set to a supported language (English in iOS 18, more in iOS 26).

Using Writing Tools in Practice

In Notes: write a rough draft, select all text, tap Writing Tools > Proofread to check the whole thing. Or select a long paragraph > Make Shorter to condense.

In Mail: write a quick email, select all > Change Tone > Professional for more formal phrasing.

In Messages: select a long response > Summarize to check how it reads before sending.

Limitations

Writing Tools process text on-device using Apple Foundation Models. The context window is limited. For very long documents: select sections at a time rather than the entire document.

Writing Tools do not add new factual content. They rewrite existing text. Do not use for fact-checking or generating information you do not already have.