What's Gone: Apps That Left iOS 15
- GoodNotes 6 — requires iOS 16. GoodNotes 5 may still work if already installed, but no fresh installs or updates on iOS 15.
- Notion — requires iOS 16. The most commonly missed productivity app for iOS 15 users.
- Craft — requires iOS 16+.
- Obsidian — check current requirement; has been iOS 14+ but may have updated.
Best Free Option: Apple Notes
Often overlooked, Apple Notes is built into iOS 15 and has become substantially more capable in recent years. It supports rich text, checklists, tables, images, file attachments, sketches, and iCloud sync. For most note-taking needs, it's excellent — and it's free and already on your device.
If you use an iPad with an Apple Pencil (mini 4 supports 1st gen Pencil), Apple Notes supports handwriting directly in notes. Not as polished as GoodNotes but entirely functional for quick sketches and annotations.
Bear — The Premium iOS 15 Pick
Bear (iOS 15+, £1.49/month for Pro) is the best third-party note-taking app available on iOS 15. It's a Markdown-based notes app with a beautiful interface, tags-based organisation, rich text, code blocks, cross-linking between notes, and iCloud sync. Bear's free tier is usable; Pro adds export, themes, and more.
If you want something that feels polished and modern on an older device, Bear is the answer. The iOS 15 minimum means it works on every device in our guides.
Notability — For iPad Handwriting
Notability (iOS 14+) is the leading handwriting and annotation app for iPad users with an Apple Pencil. It supports handwritten notes, typed notes, PDF annotation, audio recording alongside notes, and iCloud sync. The iOS 14 minimum makes it compatible with every iOS 15 device.
If you're using an iPad mini 4 with a 1st gen Apple Pencil, Notability is the natural GoodNotes 5 replacement for handwriting-focused work.
✏️ Apple Pencil compatibility: The iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 do NOT support Apple Pencil. iPad Pro models and iPad 6th gen+ do. For handwriting-focused note-taking, you need an Apple Pencil-compatible device — most are iPad 6th gen or later.
iA Writer — For Writers
iA Writer (iOS 15+, £49.99 one-time) is a focused Markdown writing app used by journalists and professional writers. Distraction-free, excellent typography, built-in focus mode, iCloud sync, and export to PDF/Word/HTML. One-time purchase rather than subscription. If writing is your primary use case, this is the premium option.
Things 3 — For Tasks
If you used Notion primarily for task management, Things 3 (iOS 15+, £9.99) is the gold standard task manager for iOS. Projects, areas, deadlines, and repeating tasks — all with a design that Apple has repeatedly recognised. It won't replace Notion's database features, but for task lists it's superior.
Working Copy — For Developers
Working Copy (iOS 15+) is a full-featured Git client for iOS. If you use Notion or notes for developer workflows, Working Copy lets you manage repositories, commit changes, and push to GitHub directly from your iPad. Free tier with basic features; Pro unlocks push and file provider access.
Our verdict
The best note-taking setup for iOS 15 in 2026: Bear for typed notes (free tier is sufficient for most), Notability for handwriting (if you have an Apple Pencil), and Apple Notes as a reliable free baseline. Don't overlook what's already on your device.
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Browse productivity apps →Also see: Best productivity apps for iOS 15 · GarageBand alternatives for iOS 15 · iPad mini 4 in 2026