Substack is rolling out a feature that lets writers draft and publish new posts directly from their phones through its iOS app, the company announced Thursday. Previously, users could only read content through the app. The update brings Substack into line with Medium and WordPress' mobile apps, which also let users draft and publish.
The first version of the mobile editor will include text and image publishing; later versions will include additional features, such as the ability to sync in-app drafts to a web dashboard. The editor is currently only available on iOS, but Substack plans to bring it to Android soon.
The company also plans to add the ability to create video and podcast posts to the app, as well as the ability to schedule and edit posts.
Substack says that while it will be a while before the app matches the functionality of its web editor, it believes the streamlined version will make writing on the go more convenient, letting writers share quick updates between longer posts and giving subscribers a glimpse behind the scenes.
Writers can access the new editor within the app by tapping the orange “plus” button on the home screen and selecting “Post.” Drafts are auto-saved as you write, and users can add images and embed options. Once they're done writing, they can tap the “Next” button to choose whether to publish and set up a paywall.
Substack said the in-app post editor was one of the most requested features for its app when it launched in March 2022. The company said more than 25% of subscriptions come from the app, and app users have 50% more paid subscriptions than non-app users.