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Affinity

How to Download Affinity Publisher, Designer and Photo for iPad for Free

The US App Store currently lists Affinity Publisher 2, Designer 2, and Photo 2 as free iPad downloads. Here is how to choose and install the correct V2 app.

By ThatPainter Team Updated 7 min read
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In the US App Store, Affinity Publisher 2, Affinity Designer 2, and Affinity Photo 2 are currently listed as free downloads for iPad, with a $0.00 license shown for each app at the time checked. They are separate apps, so choose the one that matches your work—or install all three if you need the full Affinity V2 suite.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This offer is a current storefront observation, not a promise that the apps will remain free forever or that the same price will appear in every country. You also need an iPad running iPadOS 15.0 or later.

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Which Affinity app should you download?

Affinity’s iPad V2 products are separate downloads. The quickest way to choose is to match the app to the type of work you do:

#1 Best Overall
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Metapen A8 Stylus Pen for iPad 2018-2026,Magnetic Attach & Palm Rejection
  • 【2X Faster Charge】: Metapen Pencil A8 fully charges in just 30 minutes via USB-C and lasts up to 10 hours. 1-min charge = 50-min use; 4 min fast charge = 2 hour use. The LED indicator displays different colors based on battery level, reminding you to recharge in time. It automatically shuts down after 5 minutes of inactivity for better energy efficiency. Note: A8 does not support magnetic charging or wireless charging via iPad.
  • 【More Durable Tips】: Made of high-quality polymer, the Metapen's tips pass a 20 km durability test—2X more durable than original iPencil tips(NOTE:The package comes with two nibs, one already installed and one as a spare). Their internal structure remains intact even after 3,000 impacts. Each Metapen A8 pen comes with two extra replaceable tips , saving costs for frequent users
  • 【Metal Barrel & Palm Rejection】: Metapen A8 Aluminum Metal Barrel iPad stylus pen supports Palm Rejection, so no need for a glove, with metal barrel, this stylus pen can provide you with a better writing experience. You can rest your palm or fingers on the screen during sketching, drawing, or writing. All-metal aluminum barrel: 4x harder, 10x more wear-resistant than plastic.Metal weight, metal strength. Not plastic. 200 MPa flexural strength, survives 1.2m drops 50+ times. A stronger and more durable iPad A16 penicl for Child/Kids than plastic iPad pencil.
  • 【Quick Connect and Double Magnets】: No need to connect via Bluetooth or apps. Simply double-tap the invisible touch switch on the rounded end of A8 to power ON/OFF. With two built-in magnets, the Metapen iPad Pen securely attaches to your iPad anytime, no more rolling away or getting lost. (NOTE: Wireless Charging is NOT Supported. NO magnetic attachment for iPad Air 3rd/M2/M3 Gen, iPad 6th/7th/8th/9th/10th/11th Gen, iPad mini 5th/7th, iPad Pro M4)
  • 【Make Sure Your iPad Model is Compatible】: Metapen Pencil A8 is ONLY compatible with the iPad models 2018-2026: iPad 11/10/9/8/7/6 Gen, iPad Pro 13-inch M4, iPad Pro 11-inch 1/2/3/4/M4, iPad Air 3/4/5/M2/M3, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3/4/5/6 Gen, iPad Mini 5/6 Gen. NOTE: The Pencil A8 is NOT compatible with iPads before 2018, iPhone, Android or Microsoft devices. Please check your iPad model before ordering
What you want to do Download Best suited to
Create books, brochures, magazines, reports, PDFs, or other multipage documents Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad Page layout, text flow, tables, master pages, preflight, and PDF/X output
Draw logos, illustrations, icons, typography, or other scalable artwork Affinity Designer 2 for iPad Vector drawing, typography, print graphics, and a combination of vector and raster work
Edit photographs, RAW files, PSDs, or multilayer raster artwork Affinity Photo 2 for iPad RAW development, retouching, compositing, and non-destructive image editing

Publisher 2 also documents StudioLink, which lets you access advanced Photo and Designer capabilities from within a Publisher document. That is an integrated-suite feature—not a claim that installing Publisher automatically installs the other two apps. Publisher, Designer, and Photo remain separate iPad apps.

Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad

Choose Publisher 2 if your project is primarily about arranging text and images across pages. It is the appropriate option for books, brochures, newsletters, magazines, reports, presentations intended for print, and multipage PDFs.

Its documented layout-focused features include text flow, tables, master pages, preflight checks, and PDF/X output. Publisher also supports StudioLink access to advanced Photo and Designer tools without requiring you to leave the Publisher document.

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Affinity Designer 2 for iPad

Choose Designer 2 for vector-based painting and design work such as logos, icons, illustrations, typography, interface graphics, and print artwork. It includes vector tools alongside raster workspaces, so it can also handle certain pixel-based tasks in the same project.

Designer documents professional colour and export features and supports keyboard shortcuts when used with an attached keyboard. Apple Pencil input is also supported, including pressure-, tilt-, and angle-sensitive input.

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

Choose Photo 2 for photography and pixel-based artwork. Its documented capabilities include non-destructive RAW development, retouching, compositing, multilayer editing, and PSD/PSB support.

Photo supports common image formats and editing in RGB, CMYK, Greyscale, and LAB colour modes, including 16-bit and 32-bit workflows. That makes it the most suitable of the three for RAW photographs, detailed retouching, and complex raster compositions.

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JAMJAKE Stylus Pen for iPad 6-11th Gen 2X Fast Charge, Palm Rejection-White
  • 【Compatible with 2018-2026 iPad & iPad Pro】The stylus supports for iPad series 2018-2026 model: iPad Pro 13" (M4), iPad Pro 12.9"(3rd/4th/5th/6th), iPad Pro 11"(All Generations), iPad Air M4/M3/M2/5th/4th/3rd Gen, iPad 11th/10th/9th/8th/7th/6th, iPad Mini 7th/6th/5th Gen. Please confirm your devices before you place an order, another model is invalid
  • 【Not compatible with models before 2018】The stylus doesn't support iPad pro 1st&2nd, iPad pro 10.5", iPad pro 9.7", iPad 1 to 5 Gen, iPad mini 1 to 4 Gen, iPad Air 1st/2nd Gen versions of iPad. Not Compatible With iPhone, Android, Microsoft devices.iPad 10gen cannt use magnetic attraction.
  • 【Precise and Smooth】1.5mm pen tip can replace your finger to execute finer instructions, it easy to install and tear off the tips on your stylus pen without any tool. No lag/offset/breaking point!Compared with the ordinary stylus pen, it has higher sensitivity, more accurate signal, more comfortable hand. Not easy to break!【 Note 】The stylus pen no pressure-sensitive design.
  • 【Palm Rejection Design】Stylus pen with palm rejection technology, rest your hand naturally on the screen while writing or drawing, effortless interaction with your screen, gives you more accuracy and control against the screen. We commend you to use this pen on the iPad with a glass screen protector.
  • 【Touch Switch & Fast Charging】Activate this stylus pen with a simple touch of the cap button. A quick 5-15 minute charge provides 15 hours of work time. Please note: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad for normal use, no pairing required.

What you need before downloading

1. An iPad running iPadOS 15 or later

All three current US App Store listings checked for this article require iPadOS 15.0 or later. To check your iPad:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap About.
  4. Look for the iPadOS version shown on the device.

If your iPad is below iPadOS 15, update it if an update is available. Meeting the minimum operating-system requirement does not guarantee that an older supported iPad will be equally comfortable with large documents, high-resolution photographs, many layers, or complex layouts.

2. Access to the App Store

Affinity’s V2 support guidance identifies the App Store as the official way to download the iPad versions. You can follow the App Store links or QR codes provided through Affinity’s official V2 support materials, or search the App Store directly.

Search for the exact names:

  • Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad
  • Affinity Designer 2 for iPad
  • Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

Do not use third-party download sites or sideloaded copies. They are not the official App Store route and create avoidable security and compatibility risks.

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Step-by-step: download Affinity for iPad

  1. Check your iPadOS version. Go to Settings > General > About and confirm that the device is running iPadOS 15.0 or later.
  2. Open the App Store on the iPad.
  3. Search for the exact app name you need: Publisher 2, Designer 2, or Photo 2.
  4. Open the correct listing. Confirm that it is the iPad V2 product, not an unrelated result or a third-party download.
  5. Check the local price display before confirming. The US listings checked for this article showed a $0.00 license for each app. Your Apple ID region or a later storefront update may show something different.
  6. Tap the download or install control and authenticate with the App Store if Apple requests it.
  7. Repeat the process for the other apps if you need Publisher, Designer, and Photo together. They are separate downloads.

At the time checked, the version history shown for each of the three named V2 iPad apps displayed version 2.6.4, dated September 23, 2025. App Store versions can change, so treat that as a snapshot rather than a promise about the current or future version.

Is the Affinity app from Canva the same thing?

No—not for this iPad download. Canva has announced a newer unified Affinity application that combines photo, vector, and layout tools in one app. Canva’s announcement describes that unified product as available on Mac and Windows, with iPad availability still forthcoming.

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Hastraith Stylus Pen for iPad 2018-2026,13Min Fast Charge Apple iPad Pencil
  • 🖊【Wide Compatibility】: Stylus pen supports iPad 2018-2026 series:iPad 11th 11 inch 2025/10/9/8/7/6th Gen,iPad Air 11 inch (M4) 2026/13 inch (M4) 2026/7/6/5/4/3th Gen,iPad Pro 13 inch M4,iPad Pro 12.9 inch 3/4/5/6th Gen,iPad Pro 11 inch 1/2/3/4th/M4,iPad Mini 7th (A17 Pro)/6/5th Gen.NOTE: The Pencil is NOT compatible with iPad models before 2018, iPhone, Android and Microsoft devices. Please check your product model before placing an order.
  • 🖊【Ultra-fast Charging/Ultra-long Battery Life】: Hastraith stylus pen for ipad uses a Type-C interface for charging and can be fully charged in just 13 minutes. It also has an ultra-long battery life of more than 10 hours of continuous use, which can meet the needs of long-term writing or drawing.
  • 🖊【Tilt Sensitivity and Palm Rejection】: Hastraith ipad pen uses tilt pressure sensing technology, which can dynamically adjust the line thickness according to the different tilt angles of the pen side. The full-screen palm rejection function ensures that when using a capacitive pen, the finger or palm touching the screen will not cause accidental touches, while ensuring the smoothness and stability of writing.
  • 🖊【Battery Display/No Bluetooth Required】:No need for Bluetooth connection, turn on this stylus pen by simply touching the cap button. Hastraith ipad pencil has 3 battery indicator lights: All lights on: 70%-100% power, 2 lights on: 30%-70% power, 1 light on: 5%-30% power, 1 light flashing: less than 5% power. Therefore, you can view the battery consumption progress in real time so that you can charge it before important work begins.
  • 🖊【Package Included】: 1 * smart stylus, 1 * type-c charging cable, 3 * replacement nibs, 1 * dust cover, 1 * silicone protective cover, 1 * user manual. Hastraith provides you with a 12-month manufacturer's warranty, if you have any questions about our products, please contact us. Note: If it does not work after turning on, please turn off the Bluetooth of the iPad.

Readers who want Affinity on an iPad should therefore use the three separate V2 App Store listings:

  • Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad
  • Affinity Designer 2 for iPad
  • Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

Do not follow desktop download instructions for Canva’s unified Affinity application when your goal is to install the current V2 iPad apps. The product names and availability are different.

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Do you need a Canva account?

The available information does not establish that a Canva account is required for ordinary App Store installation of the consumer-facing V2 iPad apps. Install them through the App Store and follow the sign-in or licensing instructions shown for your own listing.

There is a separate arrangement for verified Canva for Education and Canva for Nonprofits users. Eligible users can access a full Affinity V2 license for Photo, Designer, and Publisher on Mac, Windows, and iPad while their qualifying account remains valid. That institutional route should not be confused with the current US App Store listings showing a $0.00 license to ordinary users.

What does “free” mean here?

For the US App Store listings checked for this article, each named V2 iPad app displayed a $0.00 license. The careful way to understand that result is:

  • Free in the US App Store at the time checked: the three listed apps showed $0.00.
  • Not necessarily free everywhere: Apple ID regions can display different prices, availability, or licensing terms.
  • Not necessarily free forever: a storefront price can change after publication.
  • Not the same as Canva’s unified Affinity app: the newer unified app has a separate availability status for iPad.

Before downloading, inspect the price and license information shown in your own App Store listing. That local display is more relevant to your account than a price reported for another country or an earlier date.

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DEGGE Stylus Pen for iPad 2018-2026, 15Mins Fast Charge for Apple Pencil
  • 【For iPad 2018-2026】No need to connect to Bluetooth.This ipad pencil is compatible with Apple iPad 2018-2026. This Pencil for iPad 11th/ 10th/ 9th/ 8th/ 7th/ 6th; iPad Pro M5/ M4/ 12.9 inch/ 11 inch; iPad Mini 5th/ 6th/ 7th; iPad Air M4 /M3 /M2 /5th /4th /3rd; New iPad Pro 2024 11 inch &13 inch (M4, M5); New iPad Air 2024 11 inch &13 inch (M2, M3). Not compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 inch(2th/ 1st), iPad Pro 10.5/9.7 inch(4th/ 3rd/ 2nd/ 1st), iPad 5th/ 4th / 3rd/ 2nd / 1st, iPad air 2nd/ 1st, iPad Mini 4th /3rd/ 2nd/ 1st.And it's easy to use! Double-click the top touch control to turn it on.This iPad pen is magnetically adsorbed and can be attached to the iPad when not in use.
  • 【15 Mins Fast Charging, 9 Hours of Use】 No need to charge frequently. Experience uninterrupted creativity with our iPad pencil lightning-fast charging capabilities. 2X Faster Charging speed than others. Just 15 minutes of charging provides an impressive 9 hours of continuous usage, long lasting battery life.This ensures that your creative process is not interrupted. You can use it all day long.
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  • 【Versatile & Easy to Carry】 - you can use it to take notes, draw, write, create art and more. You can also use iPad pro pencil for daily use, classroom use and work use. This ipencil is a great gift for your children to use for taking notes in school classes. This is the best gift for your colleague/client for work or meetings. The best gift for your friend for creation and painting practice. Put it in your pocket or purse and carry it to any place - school class, university, office, airplane...
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Can you use Apple Pencil?

An Apple Pencil is optional. You do not need one to download or use the apps, but it can be helpful for drawing, precise selections, retouching, handwriting-like marks, and detailed layout work.

Affinity’s documentation for Designer and Publisher specifically describes support for pressure-, tilt-, and angle-sensitive Apple Pencil input. Because Apple Pencil compatibility depends on the exact iPad model, check your iPad before buying one. This article does not recommend a particular Pencil generation without that model information.

Troubleshooting the download

The app does not appear in search

Search using the full product name, including the number 2 and “for iPad.” If it still does not appear, verify that you are using the intended Apple ID region and that the device meets the iPadOS requirement. App Store availability can vary by region.

The price is not $0.00

Do not assume that a price shown in another article applies to your account. Check the listing associated with your Apple ID. The $0.00 observation in this article applies to the US storefront at the time checked and is not a universal or permanent pricing guarantee.

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Your iPad meets iPadOS 15 but performance is poor

iPadOS 15 is a minimum software requirement, not a performance recommendation. Large documents, high-resolution RAW photographs, numerous layers, and complex vector artwork can be demanding. Reduce document complexity where practical, close unused apps, keep adequate free storage, and save versions of important work.

You downloaded the wrong Affinity app

Publisher is for page layout, Designer is for vector and illustration work, and Photo is for raster photography and image editing. Because the products are separate, install the app that matches the project. If you need cross-disciplinary work, you can install more than one; Publisher’s StudioLink workflow can also provide integrated access to Photo and Designer capabilities from within Publisher.

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  • Precision & Comfort Redefined: High sensitivity rubber tip glides smoothly without lag or scratches. Ergonomic design reduces wrist strain for extended use. Compatible with tablets, phones, and Laptops.
  • Dual-Tip Flexibility: Switch between 0.20” and 0.26” rubber nibs for detailed art or bold notes. Anti-scratch, fingerprint-resistant tip. Pretty bright metal colors inspire creativity.
  • Effortless Multi-Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly on Apple, Samsung, Android, and more. No apps or setup—just pick up and write. Perfect for notes, games, or gifts—ready to spark ideas instantly. Replaceable tips included for long-term use.
  • Creative Freedom, Anywhere: Lightweight aluminum stylus with natural grip. Includes 6 replaceable tips and 3 color stylus pens. Perfect for sharing with friends, family, or colleagues, this bundle ensures you’re always equipped to capture inspiration.

Quick decision checklist

  • Need pages, flowing text, tables, master pages, or print-ready PDFs? Download Publisher 2.
  • Need logos, icons, illustrations, typography, or vector graphics? Download Designer 2.
  • Need RAW development, photo retouching, compositing, or PSD/PSB files? Download Photo 2.
  • Want all three? Install the three separate V2 iPad apps.
  • Have an iPad below iPadOS 15? Update it if possible before trying to install.
  • Seeing a different price? Use the price shown in your own regional App Store listing.
  • Looking for Canva’s unified Affinity app? That is a separate product whose iPad availability was still described as forthcoming in the official announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Affinity Publisher 2, Designer 2, and Photo 2 free on iPad?

The US App Store listings checked for this article showed a $0.00 license for all three V2 iPad apps. This is a current US storefront observation, not a guarantee of permanent or worldwide free availability.

Can I download all three Affinity apps on one iPad?

Yes. Publisher 2, Designer 2, and Photo 2 are separate iPad apps, so you can install the ones you need independently.

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What iPadOS version is required?

The current US listings checked for all three apps require iPadOS 15.0 or later. That minimum does not guarantee identical performance on every compatible iPad.

Is Canva’s new Affinity app the same as the three iPad V2 apps?

No. Canva’s newer unified Affinity app combines photo, vector, and layout tools, but its official announcement described Mac and Windows availability while iPad was still forthcoming. For an iPad download, use the separate Affinity V2 App Store listings.

The Bottom Line

To get Affinity on an iPad, check Settings > General > About for iPadOS 15 or later, then download the separate official App Store listing for Affinity Publisher 2, Affinity Designer 2, or Affinity Photo 2. The US listings showed $0.00 when checked, but verify the price in your own region before installing.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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