yWriter for Mobile User Guide
About
yWriter for Mobile is available for Android and iOS. This version allows you to open and edit your yWriter projects on a mobile device.
Not all features from the desktop version of yWriter are supported in the mobile app. This user guide explains what features are available and how to use them.
If you can't find the answer to your question in this guide, please email ywriterapp@gmail.com or visit the Help and Discussion Forum for support.
Open yWriter Projects
yWriter projects (.yw6 or yw7 format) can be opened from the open project file picker.
Project files can be shared between yWriter for Android/iOS and desktop, but only one device should edit at one time to avoid conflicts.
You can also use the Open Project picker to import .txt and .rtf files - see 'Create yWriter Project from .rtf or .txt File' section in this guide to find out more.
Open Project from File Picker
To open an existing yWriter project from desktop version:
Save your yWriter project to your cloud storage of choice, such as Google Drive.
Open yWriter on Android or iOS
Select 'Open Project',
Select the cloud storage option (you may need to install the cloud storage app from Google Play first)
Select the project to open
Any changes saved will be uploaded to the file on cloud storage
Please be aware that only one device should edit at one time to avoid conflicts. If you do encounter a conflict, you can check the backups taken on desktop or in the app folder on mobile to get the desired version back. Many cloud storage options also have a file history that you can use to rollback a file to a previous version on the cloud.
Open Project from App Folder
Backups or projects from the old version (2022 & earlier) of yWriter for mobile can be opened from the internal app folder. All files and backups here will be deleted if you uninstall the app or clear data.
New projects cannot be saved here, and projects opened from the app folder must be saved to a new location.
Create New Project
To create a brand new empty yWriter project, from the main menu, select 'New Project'
Enter details and click Save.
Select a location for your save file.
For information on how to edit the new project, see Editing.
Save As...
To save your project to a new location, first open your project, then click the 3 dots in the top right and select Save As...
Editing
Writer projects are made up of Chapters with one or more Scenes in each chapter.
Editing a Scene or other item
Tapping a scene brings up a preview in the lower right display. Then, press the Edit button to edit it.
The same applies to Chapters, Characters, Items, Locations and Notes.
Example: Editing a Character
Rich Text Editor
The rich text editor can be opened through the rich text editor button (paintbrush icon) when a scene is open.
The rich text editor lets you view the scene with the same formatting as in yWriter desktop.
Some basic formatting options are available but not the full range found in yWriter desktop.
Rich text editor settings such as font size and line spacing can be adjusted from the rich text editor settings (paintbrush icon with gear).
In a future update the rich text editor may replace the normal editor. For now, it is optional.
Deleting a Scene or other item
Delete a scene or other item by tapping the menu in the top right, and selecting 'Delete'.
Re-ordering Scenes and Chapters
Re-order Scenes and Chapters by tapping the item you'd like to move, tapping the Move button, then tapping the desired location.
Adding Chapters, Scenes, or other items
Add a Chapter by tapping the + button above the list. The same can be done for other types of item (Scenes, Characters, etc.)
Viewing List of Characters, Locations, Items and Notes
Tap the > button next to the list title (e.g. 'Characters') to switch the list between displaying Characters, Items, Locations or Notes.
To add characters, items or location to a scene, tap the item, tap the 'Add To' button, then tap the scene you'd like to add it to.
To remove characters/etc from a scene, tap the scene, tap Edit, tap References, then click the X next to the item you'd like to remove.
Edit the project's details - Author, Title, etc. by tapping the edit button next to the project title.
Exporting to RTF & Text
Export the project to .rtf or .txt by selecting 'Share project as text/rtf' from the menu.
Create yWriter Project from .rtf or .txt File
To import a novel you’ve worked on outside of yWriter,
Create a .rtf or .txt file for your novel with chapters separated with the delimeters 'Chapter 1' 'Chapter 2'. At least one chapter must be defined or nothing will import.
(Optional) Scenes can be separated based on delimeter of three asterisks with a space inbetween - e.g. * * *
Navigate to that .rtf or .txt file in your storage app, tap it and select 'Open with yWriter.'
yWriter5 and earlier formats
Mobile versions of yWriter cannot open 'yw5' project files.
These are the steps to upgrade it to a .yw7 file which the app can read:
Install yWriter7 on desktop and opening your .yw5 project.
Go to Project -> Project Settings -> Misc Settings.
Select the yWriter7 file format. (The app can also read yWriter6 files, but yWriter7 is recommended)
Save the project. It should now be in .yw7 format, which stores all project information in a single file.
Automatic Backups
To help prevent loss of data, the app attempts to make a backup automatically on the device each time the project save is overridden by the app.
Files in the backups folder that are older than 30 days may be cleaned up automatically.
Local backups are in yWriter -> Open Project -> Local Storage -> yWriter Backups
There is no option to disable automatic backups.
Important Notes & Common Issues
Loss of Data From Uninstallation & Clearing App Data: yWriter project files and backups in the App Folder WILL be deleted if you uninstall the app or clear the app data in Settings. Be sure to save the files you want to keep externally by opening each project and saving to new location.
Cloud Storage Conflicts: To avoid loss of data, do not have the same yWriter project open on multiple devices at the same time. Wait for the project to be saved and uploaded from one device before you open it on another device. Note that some cloud storage options may allow you to rollback a file to a previous version if a conflict does occur.
Chromebook Files: The in-built chromebook Files app doesn't appear to support 'Open with yWriter'. Until this is resolved, to get 'Open with yWriter' functionality on a chromebook, install another storage Android app and the option should be available from there. If not, please contact support and we'll assist you.
FAQ
How do I join the beta programme to give feedback on early updates?
Open the store page for yWriter on your android device and select 'Join the Beta'
Discuss Beta features and send feedback at https://groups.google.com/g/ywriter-app-beta or by emailing ywriterapp@gmail.com
Important Links
yWriter Mobile App Help & Discussion Forum: https://ywriter-app.boards.net/
Support Email for yWriter for Android: ywriterapp@gmail.com
yWriter for Desktop: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter7.html
yWriter for Desktop Forum: https://groups.google.com/g/ywriter
yWriter Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spacejock.ywriter
yWriter Wiki: https://sites.google.com/site/ywritersj/home?authuser=0
Requirements
Android mobile, tablet or chromebook with Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher.
Only the English language is supported, but we hope to add more translations in future.