Freeform app crashes frequently after iPadOS 26 update

If you haven't done so already since updating your iPad to iPadOS 26 iPad, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post update software issue:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

A forced restart will re-initialise all running processes. By contrast a simple shutdown/restart will not clear a faulting process, but will instead [undesirably] preserve the non-running or faulting state.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Having performed the described troubleshooting, if you can reliably reproduce the problem, you should submit a bug report to Apple using the Product Feedback portal. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

When submitting a Bug Report, ensure that you include details of your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body-text of your report. Don't rely solely upon the pick-list - as this rarely includes the current versions.

Every Bug Report counts - as until Apple receive a sufficient number of reports, they might not assign resources to correct the issue.

You might also be well advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. You can also initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

Also have this issue with iOS26 but happens slightly differently.

1. Open new Freeform board, create and all is working as it should
2. Leave board back to main menu
3. Open old Freeform board from iOS18
4. Freeform crashes and is stuck on old board
5. Tap screen, all functions on Freeform seize and stop functioning even scenes fail to load, happens as soon as you touch the screen. Reboot doesn't make a difference, restart instructions above don't help either.
6. Need to cycle off and on numerous times just to get back to main Freeform dashboard.
7. Now, once back at main dashboard after numerous on and off cycles
8. New board created in step 1 is now tainted and crashes every time as per step 4.
9. Using A16 chip iPad with iOS26 and latest Freeform version.

Same here. Every time I switch to another app and come back, Freeform has crashed and reset all my previous settings (pen colours, sizes, etc), and takes about 5 seconds to come back after showing a white screen. This is on the supposedly "advanced" iPad Pro from 2024...

I Have the same issue, using Freeform with the Pencil the app crush while i’m writing. Please fixit, i have a brand new iPad 10 and don’t make sense that I can’t use it