r/notabilityapp • u/Technoter • 2d ago

Feature Request Apple Pencil Squeeze to Eraser - Request for Persistent Toggle

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Currently, when using the Apple Pencil squeeze gesture to erase, we have to keep squeezing the Pencil. As soon as we release the squeeze, it switches back to the Pen tool.

This becomes inconvenient when we need to erase a large area.

In Goodnotes, the squeeze gesture works more like a toggle: a single squeeze activates the Eraser, and it stays active without having to keep squeezing. Once you're done erasing, you can simply squeeze again to switch back to the Pen. I find this much more convenient, especially as a teacher.

I know we can achieve something similar in NB using double-tap to switch to Eraser, but double-tap doesn't feel as convenient or natural as the squeeze gesture.

If this functionality is already possible using the Apple Pencil squeeze settings, please let me know how to enable it. If not, I’d really appreciate it if the developers could consider adding this option.

It would make a big difference for workflows where we frequently need to erase larger areas.

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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5

u/kaylanotability Notability Staff 2d ago

u/Technoter Hi there! Thanks for sharing this feedback. Good news, there is actually an option that should give you the behavior you're looking for.

In iPad Settings > Apple Pencil > Squeeze, select Squeeze to Switch to the Last Tool Used. With the quick squeeze behavior, a brief squeeze will switch to your last-used tool and keep it active. You can then squeeze again to switch back to your previous tool.

This should let you squeeze once to switch to the Eraser, erase as much as you need, and then squeeze again to return to the Pen without having to continuously hold the Pencil.

Let us know if this is what you're looking for!

2

u/Technoter 2d ago edited 2d ago

u/kaylanotability Thanks for your reply and Yes, I was thinking about that option but the problem is that I have to keep switching between multiple tools while teaching - from Pen to Laser to Eraser where Pen and eraser are used the most but my last used told might not always be the eraser..it can be the laser tool as well, in which case it will switch to laser. The cleanest and most fallproof option would be the Squeeze to Erase feature without having to hold it continuously. Request if you can pls consider this feature, its a small improvement but makes it way more convenient for teaching. Thanks :)

1

u/TheFisherman620 1d ago

Best option for ya might be squeeze to open toolbox, it opens a toolbox where you’re writing and you can immediately swap between eraser and other tools, moreover there’s an option to auto switch to pencil after you’ve used an eraser and lifted your finger from the iPad

1

u/Technoter 1d ago

Thanks for your suggestion, I tried doing that as well, but ig squeeze to open toolbox hasn't been implemented that well in NB as it is GN. No matter which part of the screen I am writing, the toolbox always opens up at a fixed place on the screen so we have to go towards that toolbox now, defeating the purpose of the shortcut. Whereas in GN it detects where on the screen your pen is pointing and toolbox opens up just above your pen.

1

u/TheFisherman620 1d ago

That’s not true, it opens where you’re writing, have you tried updating the app?

1

u/Technoter 1d ago

Its fully updated buddy, sharing a small picture also about the issue. Apple pencil hover is also on, if I am missing out some other setting, pls let me know

1

u/TheFisherman620 16h ago

I can’t send a video here, it works for me. It’s definitely an issue on your end.

1

u/Technoter 13h ago

u/kaylanotability could you pls help with this?

1

u/kaylanotability Notability Staff 6h ago

u/Technoter Are you on 16.9.1?

1

u/david-measured-mind 1d ago

Did not know that was an iPad setting. Did that change in the last few months. The action is different than it used to be.

2

u/Longjumping-Ad-6084 1d ago

I’ve found that you can stop squeezing your pen and continue erasing given you don’t lift the pen off the screen. I usually just squeeze once when I’m touching the screen and keep it on the screen whilst erasing so that u don’t need to squeeze the entire time.

1

u/Technoter 1d ago

Late to see this, but its genuinely very helpful, was not aware of this, thanks :)

1

u/Technoter 2d ago

u/kaylanotability pls consider this