Photoshop on iPad: Hands-On Review | Is It Worth the Hype?
In this article, we would like to share our real experience using Photoshop on the iPad. Is the Photoshop app on the iPad any good? Can it be a handy tool for your creative projects? Let's take a look.
In this article, you will learn:
- What Is the Photoshop iPad Version?
- What Features Does Photoshop for iPad Offer?
- Is Photoshop for iPad Any Good?
- Conclusion
What Is the Photoshop iPad Version?
Photoshop is an image editing program from Adobe. It has become a standard tool for many creators. Photoshop offers many photo editing features, such as merging several photos and removing unwanted parts of an image.
In addition to the desktop version for computers, Adobe also provides a version made specifically for the iPad.
The iPad version has fewer features than the PC version, but it still covers the basics. It is also optimized for use with the Apple Pencil.
With the Apple Pencil, you can draw directly on the screen using the brush tool, which is very convenient. This is an advantage that the desktop version does not have, making it easy to edit your work on the go.
Any document you create in Photoshop on your iPad is automatically saved as a cloud document. This makes it easy for you to access your work from both your iPad and your desktop. The cloud documents sync across all your devices, so you enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted workflow.
Like the desktop version, Adobe only offers the iPad version through a subscription model, so you need to pay a monthly fee.
What Features Does Photoshop for iPad Offer?
For creative professionals, the main question is: What can Photoshop for iPad do? Here's a quick look at its key features.
1. Optimized for the Apple Pencil
Photoshop for iPad has tools that work great with the Apple Pencil. With the Pencil, you can edit directly on the screen, which speeds up your work.
For example, when you work with layer masks, you can simply draw with the Pencil to make smooth edits. Many tools are fine-tuned for the Apple Pencil to give you a great experience.
2. Brushes
Whether you are editing photos or doing digital painting, the brush tool is very important. The iPad version still has a powerful brush tool that lets you draw lines in different styles. You can even create custom brushes to add your own flair.
3. Object Selection
This feature is very handy. Just use the selection tool to circle the area you want, and Photoshop will smartly select it for you with great accuracy.
4. Layers
Layers are essential in image editing, and you can use them on the iPad just like on your computer. You can also use layer masks and other layer functions without any difference from the desktop version.
5. No CMYK Support
Currently, Photoshop for iPad does not support CMYK color mode. You can only work in RGB mode. For projects that need CMYK (like print design), it's best to use the desktop version of Photoshop.
Further Reading:
Is Photoshop for iPad Any Good?
If you're wondering, "Is Photoshop for iPad any good?" we recommend using it alongside the desktop version to get the most out of Photoshop.
The iPad version is built just for the iPad and has a lot of strengths. For example, it works great with the Apple Pencil, making it very convenient to edit when you're on the go.
For personal projects, like creating images to share on social media, the iPad version is more than enough.
However, when it comes to more complex commercial work, the iPad version may not offer enough detail. If you plan to use Photoshop for business or to create higher-quality work, the desktop version will give you a better experience.
| Pros of Photoshop for iPad | Cons of Photoshop for iPad |
|---|---|
| Easy editing on the go | Fewer features |
| Draw directly on the screen with the Apple Pencil | Does not support CMYK color mode |
| Syncs with the desktop version via the cloud | The iPad screen might be too small for detailed work |
If you want to make the most of Photoshop on iPad, we recommend using the 13‑inch iPad Pro.
Although Photoshop's iPad app can run on older iPads, for the best performance and screen size, the newest 13‑inch iPad Pro is the ideal choice.
Here are the supported models:
- iPad Pro 13‑inch (recommended)
- iPad Pro 11‑inch
- iPad Pro 10.5‑inch
- iPad Pro 9.7‑inch
- iPad (5th to 10th generation)
- iPad mini (4th to 5th generation)
- iPad Air (2nd to 5th generation)
Photoshop for iPad works with iPadOS 14.0 or later and is best used with the Apple Pencil 2.
Of course, if you use a TourBox Elite Plus, your Photoshop experience on the iPad will improve a lot.
TourBox is a creative console loved by many photographers, digital artists, and content creators. It works seamlessly with drawing, image editing, video editing, and audio production software on your computer, boosting your creative workflow.
The TourBox Elite Plus model works perfectly with the iPad (and it also works with your PC). You can use it with your Apple Pencil to control Photoshop's brush tool, while TourBox handles other tasks like adjusting layers or rotating the canvas.
You'll see that using the TourBox Elite Plus with your iPad makes your creative process much more efficient. If you're interested in learning more about the TourBox Elite Plus, click the link below.
Conclusion
To answer the question we raised at the beginning: Is Photoshop on iPad any good? We think it's really good and very easy to use!
However, compared to the desktop version, its features are still a bit limited. For more complex projects, it's best to use both the iPad and desktop versions together.
That's one of the great benefits of Adobe software — no matter whether you're working on an iPad or a PC, your cloud documents sync across all your devices, so your workflow never skips a beat.
