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Turn class notes into a mind map to review with Apple Pencil

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or a photo of a page. DeckOwl builds a mind map you can edit and explore, so you can review it with your Apple Pencil.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

How to choose a mind map app for Apple Pencil

Choosing the best mind map app for Apple Pencil work comes down to where the map starts. A blank canvas makes you do all the organizing yourself, while a map built from your own lecture slides or reading gives you a structure to check and correct.

Start from your own PDFs, slides, or notes rather than an empty page.
Edit every node so the map follows your course outline.
Expand and collapse branches to study one topic at a time.
Export options are available on the Plus plan.

Example Apple Pencil mind map branches

Apple Pencil chargingMagnetic models attach to the iPad edge · USB-C models charge through a cable · Check the battery in the iPad widgets

Apple Pencil sensingPressure sensitivity · Tilt sensitivity · Palm rejection on supported iPads

Apple Pencil modelsFirst generation · Second generation · USB-C version · Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil pairingBluetooth settings on the iPad · Magnetic attachment for supported models · Re-pair after a reset

Using Apple Pencil for study notesAnnotate PDFs in Markup · Handwrite notes in the Notes app · Sketch diagrams beside your map

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Drop in a lecture PDF, slide deck, or photographed page and get a map built from what you actually studied.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or add nodes so the map matches how your course organizes the topic.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to focus on one section at a time instead of scanning a crowded page.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or image of handwritten pages.

Generate the map

DeckOwl reads the text and arranges the main ideas into branches and sub-points.

Edit and review

Adjust the map, then work through it on your iPad, sketching with your Apple Pencil where your browser supports pen input.

Most of the value comes from editing. Your first automatic map will rarely match how your course groups ideas, so the ability to rename, move, and add branches matters more than the number of templates.

Keep sessions short and review the map from memory before you open it again. Redrawing a branch from scratch shows you which parts you actually recall.

Explore related topics

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Mind map app for iPad

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AI Mind Map Maker App

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AI Visual Mind Map App

Upload notes or PDFs and get an editable visual mind map you can explore with AI.

Free mind map app for notes and PDFs

Turn PDFs and notes into an editable mind map. Start free, 3 generations a month.

Free mind mapping app for students

Turn lecture notes and PDFs into an editable mind map, free to start, with no credit card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Does DeckOwl work with the Apple Pencil?

DeckOwl runs in your browser and builds mind maps from the files you upload. Test how your iPad browser handles pen input before relying on it for drawing by hand.

How do I pair an Apple Pencil with an iPad?

Magnetic models attach to the edge of a supported iPad and pair automatically. Most other models pair through Bluetooth settings on the iPad.

How often should I review a mind map before an exam?

Spread reviews over several days rather than cramming in one sitting. Redraw each branch from memory to check what you actually recall.

What do paid plans add for mind maps?

The free plan keeps studying in the browser with no exports. Plus at $39/year or $7.99/month adds PDF and DOCX export along with unlimited generations.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.