Unable to draw circles with text on iPad using Apple Pencil

Question

Unable to draw circles with text on iPad using Apple Pencil

I'm a psychotherapist, I brought an iPad and pencil to draw simple CBT formulations for my clients, so I wasn't scribbling them on paper and holding them up to my laptop on Zoom calls. Despite phone calls to Apple, downloading GoodNotes, and other apps, it seems I can't draw circles and write text in them.?? This seems like something basic. Surely should be possible.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.8

Posted on Dec 3, 2025 4:44 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 7, 2025 7:07 PM in response to Lindsayconfused

Yes, you can draw circles with text inside them on iPad using Apple Pencil.

The best ways:

GoodNotes → shape snap + text inside (best for CBT diagrams)
Notability → same
Freeform → best for diagramming with arrows
Apple Notes → One of the Best usable & stable

You’re not missing anything — you just need to enable shape recognition and then add text inside the shape.

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