Substack has unveiled a major update to its iOS app, enabling writers to draft and publish posts directly from their phones. Announced on Thursday, this new feature elevates Substack’s mobile capabilities, which were previously limited to reading content. This move positions Substack on par with competitors like Medium and WordPress, whose mobile apps already support drafting and publishing.
Enhanced Mobile Experience for Writers
The first iteration of the mobile editor supports both text and image publishing. Substack plans to enhance this functionality in future updates, including the ability to sync drafts from the app to the web dashboard. While this feature is currently exclusive to iOS users, Substack has confirmed that an Android version is in the pipeline.
Upcoming Features and Improvements
Substack is not stopping at basic text and image publishing. The company has outlined a roadmap for the app that includes post scheduling, editing capabilities, and the creation of video and podcast posts. These enhancements aim to offer a comprehensive mobile experience that mirrors the versatility of Substack’s web editor.
Convenience and Quick Updates
Although it will take some time for the mobile app to achieve full parity with the web editor, Substack believes that the streamlined mobile version will significantly benefit writers. The app is designed to facilitate on-the-go writing, allowing authors to share quick updates or behind-the-scenes glimpses between their longer, more polished posts.
Easy Access and User-Friendly Features
Accessing the new mobile editor is simple. Writers can tap the orange “plus” button on the home screen and select “Post” to begin drafting. The app autosaves drafts in real-time, ensuring that no work is lost. Writers can easily add images and embed options, and once they’re ready to publish, they can tap “Next” to set their publish and paywall preferences.
Meeting User Demand
The introduction of an in-app post editor responds to one of the most frequent requests from Substack users. Since the app’s launch in March 2022, it has become a significant channel for subscription growth. Substack reports that more than 25% of subscriptions now originate from the app, and app users boast 50% more paid subscriptions than those who use the web version exclusively.
Looking Ahead
Substack’s commitment to enhancing its mobile app demonstrates its dedication to supporting writers with versatile and convenient tools. As the app continues to evolve, it promises to become an indispensable asset for writers looking to engage their audience anytime, anywhere.
With these updates, Substack is poised to offer an even more dynamic platform, empowering writers to create, share, and grow their readership with unparalleled ease.
