{{Short description|Text editor}} {{Lowercase title}}{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox software | name = iA Writer | logo = 120px | screenshot = | caption = | collapsible = | author = Information Architects AG | developer = Information Architects AG | released = {{Start date and years ago|2010|09|22}}, for iOS | latest release version = {{Multiple releases |branch1 = iOS |version1 = 7.2.15 |date1 = {{start date and age|2025|06|01}} |branch2 = macOS |version2 = 7.2 |date2 = {{start date and age|2025|03|01}} |branch3 = Windows |version3 = 2.0.9172 |date3 = {{start date and age|2025|02|10}} |branch4 = Android |version4 = 2.0(86) |date4 = {{start date and age|2020|08|07}} }} | programming language = Objective-C (iOS, macOS), C (Windows), Java (Android) | operating system = {{hlist|macOS|iOS|Android|Microsoft Windows}} | size = 12–40 MB | genre = Text editor | license = Proprietary software | website = {{URL|www.ia.net/writer}} }}
'''iA Writer''' is a text editor developed by Information Architects (iA). It was first released on September 22, 2010, for iOS, followed by a macOS version on May 28, 2011, and a Microsoft Windows version in 2018, funded via a Kickstarter campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-10 |title=Kickstarted: iA Writer for Windows |url=https://ia.net/topics/kickstarting-ia-writer-for-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201061435/https://ia.net/topics/kickstarting-ia-writer-for-windows |archive-date=2022-12-01 |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=iA Writer}}</ref> An Android version was launched on August 7, 2020, but was later discontinued due to changes in Google API policies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=Our Android App is Frozen in Carbonite |url=https://ia.net/topics/our-android-app-is-frozen-in-carbonite |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004214546/https://ia.net/topics/our-android-app-is-frozen-in-carbonite |archive-date=2024-10-04 |website=iA Writer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2024-10-04 |title=Google as Darth Vader: Why iA Writer quit the Android app market |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/ia-pulls-its-writer-app-from-android-citing-red-tape-piracy-and-review-spam/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004160552/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/ia-pulls-its-writer-app-from-android-citing-red-tape-piracy-and-review-spam/ |archive-date=2024-10-04 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
== Features == iA Writer is designed to focus solely on writing, offering a minimalist interface with features like distraction-free<ref name=":0" /> mode and syntax highlighting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fuchs |first=Ian |date=2018-06-18 |title=Stay focused on writing with iA Writer [50 Essential iOS Apps #27] |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/reviews/ia-writer-review-best-writing-app |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126005654/https://www.cultofmac.com/reviews/ia-writer-review-best-writing-app |archive-date=2024-11-26 |work=Cult of Mac}}</ref> It uses "writing typography," a concept emphasizing legibility with custom monospaced and duospaced fonts<ref>{{Cite news |last=Viticci |first=Federico |date=2018-12-24 |title=iA Writer 5.2: Better Typography and External Library Locations |url=https://www.macstories.net/ios/ia-writer-5-2-better-typography-and-external-library-locations/https://web.archive.org/web/20181228174629/https://www.macstories.net/ios/ia-writer-5-2-better-typography-and-external-library-locations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228174629/https://www.macstories.net/ios/ia-writer-5-2-better-typography-and-external-library-locations/ |archive-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> derived from IBM Plex Mono.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ia.net/writer/blog/a-typographic-christmas|title=A Typographic Christmas|date=2018-12-14|website=iA Writer Blog}}</ref> Its signature blue cursor and gray background claim to enhance the user’s focus.
The editor supports Markdown for text formatting, enabling writers to seamlessly export to multiple formats such as PDF, Word, and HTML. Advanced integrations include Micropub publishing, allowing direct uploads to personal blogs or platforms like micro.blog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gooding |first=Sarah |date=2020-05-15 |title=iA Writer Adds Expanded Support for IndieWeb Tools and WordPress Publishing |url=https://wptavern.com/ia-writer-adds-expanded-support-for-indieweb-tools-and-wordpress-publishing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516053108/https://wptavern.com/ia-writer-adds-expanded-support-for-indieweb-tools-and-wordpress-publishing |archive-date=2020-05-16 |website=WP Tavern}}</ref>
In 2022, iA Writer added features including cross-document linking, YAML metadata, and shortcuts to improve navigation within the application.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Voorhees |first=John |date=2022-06-14 |title=iA Writer 6 Adds Cross-Document Linking, Metadata, and More |url=https://www.macstories.net/reviews/ia-writer-6-adds-cross-document-linking-metadata-and-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614121212/https://www.macstories.net/reviews/ia-writer-6-adds-cross-document-linking-metadata-and-more/ |archive-date=2022-06-14 |work=MacStories}}</ref>
In 2023, iA Writer introduced a feature in response to the growing use of AI-assisted writing tools. The "Authorship" feature does not generate text itself; instead, it allows users to mark and visually distinguish passages that were inserted from AI systems versus text written by the user, maintaining transparency and control over authorship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Stay in Control of Apple's AI Writing Tools |url=https://ia.net/topics/how-to-stay-in-control-of-apples-ai-writing-tools |website=iA Writer Blog |access-date=2025-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628124515/https://ia.net/topics/how-to-stay-in-control-of-apples-ai-writing-tools |archive-date=2023-06-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == iA Writer has been praised for its simplicity and utility in fostering a distraction-free writing environment. In 2012, ''The Verge'' described the iPhone version as “one of the best tools for mobile writing.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byford |first=Sam |date=2012-03-08 |title=iA Writer for iPhone Review |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/3/8/2809418/ia-writer-iphone-hands-on-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310042443/http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/8/2809418/ia-writer-iphone-hands-on-video |archive-date=2012-03-10 |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=The Verge}}</ref> It has also been recognized in reviews by ''MacWorld'' and ''Business Insider'' for its innovative design.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Lex |date=2011-12-28 |title=iA Writer for iPad Review |url=http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=671769 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228152423/http://www.macworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=671769 |archive-date=2011-12-28 |website=MacWorld}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Love |first=Dylan |date=2012-04-12 |title=Oliver Reichenstein on the Origins of iA Writer |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/oliver-reichenstein-ia-writer-2012-4 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511175531/https://www.businessinsider.com/oliver-reichenstein-ia-writer-2012-4 |archive-date=2017-05-11 |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> The inventor of the Markdown language himself, John Gruber, referred to iA Writer as his “favorite iOS app for writing in Markdown.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=iA Writer |url=https://daringfireball.net/2021/03/ia_writer |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Daring Fireball |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, iA Writer was named a finalist for the Apple Design Awards in the Interaction category.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple Design Awards 2025 |url=https://developer.apple.com/design/awards/ |website=Apple Developer |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref>
== See also == *List of text editors *Comparison of text editors
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.ia.net Official Website]
{{Word processors}} {{Desktop publishing software}}
Category:Text editors Category:MacOS text-related software {{text-editor-stub}}