The Google Slides app on iPad doesn’t have a freehand drawing tool for adding permanent sketches to slides. You can add shapes, lines and text in the app, and some app versions let you mark up slides temporarily while presenting. For a permanent drawing, sketch it in a drawing app with your finger or Apple Pencil, save it as an image, and insert it with + > Image. On a computer, the web version’s Insert > Line > Scribble tool draws freehand directly on the slide.
Quick Answer
Draw in a sketch app, save the image, then in Google Slides tap + > Image > From photos. Or use Insert > Line > Scribble in Slides on a computer.
Method 1: Draw Elsewhere and Insert the Image
- Open a drawing app on the iPad, such as the built-in Notes app’s drawing tools.
- Draw with your finger or Apple Pencil.
- Save or share the drawing to Photos as an image. A transparent PNG works best if your app supports it.
- Open the presentation in Google Slides, tap + (Insert), choose Image > From photos, and select the drawing.
- Drag the corners to resize it and move it into place.
Method 2: Shapes and Lines in the App
Tap + > Shape or + > Line to add arrows, boxes and connectors. Use the paint and line icons to change colours and thickness. This is best for diagrams rather than freehand sketches.
Method 3: Scribble on a Computer
- Open the presentation at slides.google.com on a computer.
- Choose Insert > Line > Scribble.
- Draw with the mouse, trackpad or a drawing tablet. The drawing syncs to the iPad app.
Options Compared
| Option | Freehand? | Stays on the slide? |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing app + insert image | Yes | Yes |
| Shapes and lines in the app | No | Yes |
| Scribble on a computer | Yes | Yes |
| Markup while presenting (where available) | Yes | No, it clears |
To style shapes, see changing the colour of a shape.
Troubleshooting
- Image has a white box around it: Export as PNG with a transparent background, or match the slide background colour.
- Handwriting in text boxes: Apple Pencil Scribble may convert handwriting to typed text in some Google apps. See using Apple Pencil with Google Docs.
- Using Google Drawings instead: See inserting a Google Drawing into Slides.
- Want text frames too? See adding borders to text in Google Slides.
Related: draw on a photo on an iPhone.
Related: Group objects in Google Drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Safari on the iPad for the Scribble tool?
The web editor isn’t designed for iPad browsers and may redirect you to the app, so a computer is more reliable.
Will my drawing be editable later?
An inserted image isn’t editable in Slides. Keep the original in your drawing app.
Can students draw on a shared slide?
They can insert images or shapes if they have edit access.
Summary
- The iPad app has no permanent freehand tool.
- Draw in another app and insert it as an image.
- Use shapes and lines for diagrams.
- Use Scribble on a computer for direct drawing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.