App Settings

Open App Settings when you need to change global preferences for appearance, board defaults, iCloud Sync, display, input, import quality, or support links. On Mac, press ⌘, (comma). On iPhone and iPad, open settings from the gallery or board header.

General Tab (⌘1)

Appearance

Shows the active theme name and, for adaptive themes, the resolved appearance mode (Dark, Light, High Contrast Dark, or High Contrast Light). Tap Open Themes to jump to the Themes tab.

Board Defaults

Sets the default background pattern, pattern opacity, and pattern spacing applied to newly created boards. Options are the same as in Board Settings.

iCloud

Controls all iCloud Sync behavior for the app. See iCloud Sync for the full reference.

• Sync with iCloud: Master toggle. When on, boards sync across every device signed into your Apple Account. When off, boards on this device stay local and cloud-only boards are hidden until you turn sync back on.
• Auto-download boards: When on, new iCloud boards are queued for download automatically. When off, boards remain as on-demand previews until you open them. (Enabled only while Sync with iCloud is on.)
• Use Cellular Data: Allows iCloud Sync to transfer over a cellular connection. When off, sync waits for Wi-Fi while your edits stay on this device. (iPhone and iPad only.)
• Sync status summary: A live summary row shows whether sync is up to date, active, waiting for Wi-Fi, offline, paused, or blocked by iCloud account or storage issues.
• Recovery rows: When something needs attention, the iCloud card can show Retry, Retry Download, Ask Devices Again, or Use Available Content actions. These appear only for the affected sync state.
• Delete ArtDeck Data from iCloud: A destructive control that removes ArtDeck’s iCloud data while keeping local boards on this device. Available only after Sync with iCloud is turned off.

Note: iCloud Sync keeps your own devices up to date through your Apple Account. It is not a live collaboration or sharing feature.

Display & Input

• HDR Display: Shows HDR images and video at full brightness on capable screens. When on, other content may look slightly dimmer. (All platforms.)
• Left-Handed Mode: Moves the annotation toolbar to the right side of the canvas. (All platforms.)
• Auto-Zoom on Selection: Zooms the canvas when selecting a small item so it is easier to see. (All platforms.)
• Pencil Only Drawing: Only Apple Pencil can draw on the canvas; finger touches are ignored for drawing, but two-finger gestures still pan and zoom. (iPad only.)
• Invert Vertical Canvas Scroll: Reverses up and down panning on the canvas. (Mac only.)
• Invert Horizontal Canvas Scroll: Reverses left and right panning on the canvas. (Mac only.)

Note: Pencil Only Drawing appears only on iPad. The two scroll-invert toggles appear only on Mac.

Import Quality

Sets the default quality for newly imported media. Individual boards can override these defaults in Board Settings.

Images

• Quality: Optimized converts to HEIC for smaller files; Original keeps the file unchanged.

Video

• Quality: Optimized encodes HEVC at 1080p for smaller files; High Quality preserves up to 4K; Original keeps the file untouched.
• Show Import Warnings for Large Videos: Re-enables the warning shown when importing a large video file.

Support & Feedback

• Report Bug: Opens a feedback email to the ArtDeck team.
• Roadmap: Opens the public feature voting page.
• Rate ArtDeck: Prompts an App Store review.
• What’s New: Shows the latest release notes. A badge dot appears when there are unseen updates.

Themes Tab (⌘2)

• Theme library browser with overview, preview, and diagnostics.
• Import and export themes.

See Themes and Theme Editor.