For years, Blender has been the go-to choice for free, open-source 3D graphics on desktop computers. Now, it is expanding to Mobile devices! Yes, the Blender team has announced that Blender is soon coming to iPad and Android tablets, making 3D creation more accessible than ever before.
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Why Mobile Now? A Mission for Everyone
Tablets have become incredibly powerful, often serving as primary computing devices. To truly make 3D technology available to everyone, Blender knew it was time to embrace these mobile platforms.
Blender's mobile expansion allows the artists to enjoy the full power of Blender directly on their favourite devices.
You'll soon be able to use Blender on devices like:
- Apple iPad
- Microsoft Surface
- Huawei MatePad
- Wacom MovinkPad, and more
The initial focus for development is the Apple iPad Pro with Apple Pencil, with Android and other graphics tablets to follow.
A Complete Blender Experience, Reimagined for Touch
The goal isn't to create a simplified version of Blender for tablets. Instead, the team aims to bring the complete Blender experience to these devices.
This means adapting the app to work seamlessly with touchscreens and pens, offering easier-to-use screens with less clutter for specific tasks.
Who is this for? It’s for you, the Blender user! The team isn’t trying to attract new users by oversimplifying the software. This mobile expansion is for:
- Artists who use a pen device for specialised work like painting or sculpting.
- Artists who rely on tablets as their main computer.
- Artists who need Blender while travelling.
While the ultimate vision is a full Blender experience, the first versions will focus on basic object manipulation and sculpting.
Later updates will bring support for Grease Pencil and storyboarding, which involve animation tools.
Benefits for Desktop Users Too!
Many of the improvements developed for the tablet version will also make the desktop version of Blender even better. Look out for handy new features like:
- A Quick Favourites editor.
- A helpful overlay with popular shortcuts.
- Icon support for sidebar tabs.
- Togglable sidebar tabs (already in Blender 5.0 alpha!).
Tablet-specific features will include multi-touch gestures, a new "Wheel menu", and an interactive status bar. The special tablet application layout will also be available on both desktop and tablet versions.
Development and Demos: See it in Action!
Development is already underway in a separate branch. Blender is an open-source project, and developers experienced in iOS, touch events, file systems, and multi-touch UI/UX are encouraged to contribute.
Here's sample mockup that shows how Blender UI looks in iPad:
Want a sneak peek? A tech demo of Blender running on iPad Pro will be available at the Blender booth at SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver. You might also catch live demonstrations at Blender Conference 2025.
This project is in its early stages and needs dedicated resources to reach its goals. You can support this exciting development by joining the Development Fund with a monthly contribution or making a one-time donation.
The Power of Blender: Oscar-Winning Film "Flow" Was Made Entirely in Blender
The fact that a full-length, Oscar-winning film like Flow was made entirely in Blender and rendered in real-time using EEVEE, without a render farm, truly highlights the software's capabilities.
The director of Flow even thanked Blender during his Oscar acceptance speech. This success shows the power Blender brings, and soon, that power will be in the palm of your hand!
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