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Turn any PDF into an editable mind map on your iPad

Upload lecture notes or a PDF and get a mind map you can edit, rearrange, and explore branch by branch.

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 account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

Why a mind map app helps with iPad study notes

Students who take notes on an iPad often end up with scattered lecture slides and long pages of text, and a mind map app for iPad can pull that material into one structure you can read at a glance.

Start with a blank iPad page only if you want to sketch; otherwise begin from your uploaded material.
Check each branch against the source before studying from it.
Keep one map per unit so the structure stays readable.
Turn the strongest branches into quiz questions to test recall.

Example Apple Pencil study mind map branches

Apple Pencil 2nd gen chargingAttaches magnetically to the side of compatible iPads · Charges wirelessly while attached · Pairs automatically

Apple Pencil USB-CCharges with a USB-C cable · Works with compatible iPads only · Check Apple's compatibility list first

Pencil gesture optionsDouble-tap to switch tools on supported models · Squeeze on Pencil Pro for actions · Customize in Settings under Apple Pencil

ScribbleConverts handwriting to typed text in text fields · Works in apps such as Notes and Safari · Turned on in Settings

Quick NoteSwipe from the bottom-right corner with Pencil · Opens a note over the current app · Can link to the current page

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or a photo of a page and get a map of the main ideas.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or reorganize branches so the map matches how your course organizes the topic.

Explore at your own pace

Open any branch to see its sub-points, then turn the same material into quizzes or flashcards.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, Word file, slide deck, or a photo of handwritten pages.

Review the map

Check the generated branches against your source and fix anything that looks off.

Edit and explore

Adjust the structure in the browser on your iPad and study one branch at a time.

Apple Pencil is useful for sketching by hand, but the slow part of building a map is deciding which ideas belong under which heading. DeckOwl handles that first draft, so you spend your time correcting and connecting ideas instead of starting from a blank page.

Maps work best when they stay editable, so you can revise them as your course moves on. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, and you can add more generations on Plus.

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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

Which Apple Pencil works with which iPad?

Compatibility depends on the Pencil model and the iPad generation, so check Apple's compatibility page before you buy. The Pencil model you own should be listed there for your specific iPad.

How should I take notes with Apple Pencil on an iPad?

Scribble converts handwriting into typed text in text fields, and Quick Note opens with a swipe from the bottom-right corner. Upload typed or photographed notes afterward to build a mind map from them.

Does DeckOwl let me draw with Apple Pencil?

DeckOwl builds the mind map from your uploaded material and you edit it in the browser. It is not a handwriting canvas, so use your iPad's own apps for freehand sketching.

Can I try it before paying?

Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser with no credit card needed. Plus at $99.90/year or $9.99/month adds unlimited generations and exports.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.