If you edit photos, today brought one of the bigger software headlines of the season. On November 2, 2026, Canva-owned Affinity released Affinity for iPad, and its core photo, vector, layout and sketching tools are free for individuals. 9to5Mac, DPReview and others covered the launch, and Affinity published its own announcement the same day.
We shoot and edit on desktop computers, so an iPad editor is not about replacing our main workflow. But a free, serious editor that can open RAW files on a tablet is interesting for anyone who shoots events, headshots or travel and wants to start editing before they get back to the office. Here is what was announced, what to check before you trust it, and why it matters for San Antonio clients.
What is new in Affinity for iPad
Affinity combined its photo, vector and page layout apps into one program on desktop last year. The iPad app brings that same single-app approach to the tablet and adds a sketching workflow. Based on Affinity’s announcement and the coverage from DPReview and 9to5Mac, the highlights for photographers are:
- RAW development and non-destructive editing. Your original files stay untouched, and you can go back and change RAW settings, masks and adjustments later. The undo history can even be saved with the file.
- Apple Pencil masking. A new Mask Tool is designed to find edges as you trace them, which Affinity says helps with hard subjects like hair, fur and foliage.
- Retouching and compositing. Live adjustments, inpainting to remove distractions, and support for thousands of layers.
- Panorama stitching and focus stacking. Handy for travel and product work.
- Big files. Affinity says it keeps up with files of 100 megapixels and more.
- Works with your existing files. PSD, AI, INDD, IDML, PDF and SVG files can be brought in with layers and structure kept.
- Free for individuals. The core tools cost nothing, though DPReview notes a free Canva account is required. The optional Canva AI tools need a paid Canva plan.
The App Store listing says the app needs iPadOS 18 or later and an iPad that can run it.
What to check before you rely on it
A free app is easy to try, but a professional workflow depends on details. A few things we would test first, and we have not tested this app ourselves yet:
- Does it open your camera’s RAW files? Affinity’s launch post does not list supported cameras, so open a few of your own files from your own body before a paid job depends on it. That goes double for newer bodies such as the Nikon Z8 and Z9.
- How does it handle your color and exports? Check skin tones, color profiles and export sizes against what you already deliver.
- Will it fit your file management? A tablet editor does not replace a catalog. You still need a plan for backups, naming and handing files off to your main computer.
- Which AI tools are free? The core tools are free, while Canva’s AI Studio features require a premium plan. Know where the line is before you build a habit around a feature.
Why the photo above is a good test file
The image at the top of this post is a long exposure of a holiday light event here in San Antonio, shot on a Nikon D850 at 28mm for 8 seconds at f/16 and ISO 64. Frames like this are a good stress test for any editor. You have a very bright neon subject, deep shadows in the cliff and pavement, and light trails that can easily clip. That is exactly where RAW headroom, careful masking and non-destructive editing matter. If a new app can handle a file like that without fuss, it has earned a place in the toolbox.
How we think about editing on location
Grey Bug Photography has shot with the Nikon Z9 and Z8 since each camera launched, and for event and headshot clients the editing plan is part of the job. Speed matters at events, but so does consistency. A tablet editor could be useful for quick selects, social-media-ready edits or a fast fix on the road. Final delivery still comes from the same color-managed workflow so your whole gallery looks consistent from the first frame to the last. We covered a related lesson in our post on unedited RAW frames and headshot session lessons: the edit is where a good session becomes a great one.
Quick tips if you try Affinity for iPad
- Start with a copy. Test with duplicates of finished jobs and compare against your usual edit.
- Use a Pencil for masks, not for everything. Fine edge work is where touch tools shine. Broad exposure and color changes are often faster with sliders.
- Keep your originals safe. Never edit the only copy of a RAW file on a device you also carry around.
- Check iPad storage. Large RAW files and big layered documents fill a tablet quickly.
What this means for San Antonio event and headshot clients
Better, cheaper editing tools usually mean faster turnarounds and more polish for the same price, as long as the photographer keeps quality control. When you hire Grey Bug Photography for an event or a team headshot day, you get a photographer who tests new tools but delivers through a workflow we trust. If you have a conference, corporate event or headshot session coming up in San Antonio, reach out to Grey Bug Photography and we will talk through timelines, delivery and what you need.
