---
title: Phone and tablet
url: https://www.moldraw.com/docs/devices/how-to-use-moldraw-on-a-phone-or-tablet/
section: Desktop, mobile and troubleshooting
updated: 2026-10-20
publisher: LabCanvas
---

# Phone and tablet

> Open moldraw.com in your phone or tablet browser. Common tools sit in the left rail, and the Atom, Rings and More buttons at the bottom open sheets with the rest. Pinch to zoom, drag two fingers to pan, and tap with two fingers to undo.

On screens up to 1024 pixels wide, and on touch tablets, MolDraw uses a touch layout. Menus open as sheets that slide up from the bottom.

## Where the tools are on a phone

| Place | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Left rail | Select, single bond, double bond, chain, benzene, reaction arrow, text, plus charge and erase |
| **Atom** (bottom) | The element picker, charges, lone pairs, Add H and Show C. The sheet stays open, so you can pick an element, tap the canvas and pick again. |
| **Rings** (bottom) | Ring templates in tabs: **Common**, **Aromatic**, **Heterocycles** and **More** |
| **More** (bottom) | Text, reaction arrows, shapes, brackets, atom labels, orbitals, images and glassware. Also **Selection…**, **File**, **Export**, **Actions**, **Search** and **Settings**. |
| Gear (top bar) | Settings, as a full screen sheet |
| **⋮** (top right) | Account, **Theme**, **Language**, **File**, **Actions**, **Settings**, **Landscape view**, **Fit drawing** and **Clear canvas** |

Tap a bottom button again to close its sheet.

1. Tap a tool in the left rail, such as the single bond.
2. Tap or drag on the canvas to draw.
3. Tap **Atom** and pick an element. Tap an atom on the canvas to change it.
4. Tap **Rings**, pick a ring and tap the canvas to place it.
5. Open **More**, then **Export**, to download your drawing.

## Touch gestures

| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Pinch | Zoom |
| Two finger drag | Pan the view |
| Two finger tap | Undo |
| Three finger tap | Redo |
| Long press on an atom, bond, selection or empty canvas | Quick action ring, such as **Label**, **+ charge**, **Duplicate**, **Delete** or **Paste** |
| Long press on a tool icon | Opens that tool's options |

While you drag a bond, ring or chain, a 2× magnifier shows above your finger, so your finger does not hide the target.

## Touch settings

Open **Settings**, **Touch screen**:

- **One-finger pan on empty canvas**: with the Select tool, one finger on empty space pans. Off by default.
- **Magnifier while drawing**: the 2× loupe. On by default.

See [Settings reference](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/settings/moldraw-settings-reference/) for every option.

## Landscape view

Turn your phone sideways for more room. On a phone held upright, open **⋮** and tap **Landscape view** to rotate the editor. In landscape, the atoms sit on the left and the tool strip runs along the bottom.

## Tablets and pens

Tablets use the same touch layout, with a wider canvas. A stylus works like a finger. The [Smart Draw plugin](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/plugins/smart-draw-plugin-hand-drawn-sketch-to-structure/) turns pen sketches into structures.

## Tips

- Use **⋮**, **Fit drawing** to bring the whole drawing back into view.
- The [command palette](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/settings/how-to-use-the-command-palette/) needs a keyboard. On a tablet with a keyboard, press `Ctrl+K`.
- Your work saves in the phone browser. Download a `.moldraw` file from **File** to keep a copy. See [Save and open your work](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/get-started/how-to-save-and-open-chemical-drawings-in-moldraw/).
- For 3D on a phone, see [Troubleshooting](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/devices/moldraw-troubleshooting-common-problems/) if you see a 3D warning.

## Questions and answers

**Does MolDraw work on iPhone and Android?**
Yes. Open moldraw.com in the phone browser. MolDraw switches to a touch layout with bottom sheets.

**How do I undo on a phone in MolDraw?**
Tap the canvas with two fingers to undo. Tap with three fingers to redo.

**How do I zoom in MolDraw on a tablet?**
Pinch with two fingers to zoom. Drag with two fingers to move the view.

**Where are Settings on a phone?**
Tap the gear in the top bar, or open the More sheet at the bottom and tap Settings.

## Related pages

- [The MolDraw screen](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/get-started/moldraw-editor-interface-toolbar-and-panels-explained/)
- [Settings reference](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/settings/moldraw-settings-reference/)
- [Troubleshooting](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/devices/moldraw-troubleshooting-common-problems/)
- [Desktop app for Windows](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/devices/moldraw-desktop-app-for-windows-and-offline-use/)