Native KiCad files, not a flattened preview
Open project, schematic, and board sources directly. PCBAtlas keeps related KiCad files in a managed revision so a schematic, PCB, libraries, and settings can stay in project context.
KiCad viewer for iOS
Open KiCad projects on iPhone and iPad.
PCBAtlas is a local KiCad viewer for iOS and iPadOS. Import supported .kicad_pro projects, .kicad_sch schematics, and .kicad_pcb boards from Files, then inspect the real design data without first converting it to screenshots or PDFs.
Use PCBAtlas when you need KiCad files on iOS for viewing and review away from a desktop EDA station.
Review schematics and PCB layouts on touch screens
Switch schematic sheets, search project objects, pick symbols and wires, or inspect board layers, nets, pads, vias, footprints, and object details from an iPhone or iPad.
Local-first mobile review
The normal viewer path does not require uploading the project to a browser service. Files can remain in the device workflow while you review a board at the bench, in a meeting, or in the field.
A review companion, not full desktop KiCad
PCBAtlas is designed around import, viewing, inspection, revision organization, and delivery. Use desktop KiCad when you need the complete schematic-capture and PCB-layout environment.
KiCad
File and review profile
- Source package
- native .kicad_pro projects, .kicad_sch schematics, and .kicad_pcb boards
- Review surfaces
- schematic sheets, PCB layers, object search, selection details, and supported board-level 3D
- Scope boundary
- PCBAtlas is a viewer and review workspace; it does not replace the full desktop KiCad design environment.
PCBAtlas
KiCad sources on iPhone and iPad
Use Files to bring in a complete project or a focused schematic or board source without converting it to screenshots first.
| Source | How PCBAtlas handles it | What you can review |
|---|---|---|
| .kicad_pro | Import with its related project folder or archive | Project tree, schematic and PCB context, libraries, settings, and revisions where supported |
| .kicad_sch | Open directly or keep it inside a complete project | Sheet navigation, search, locate and highlight, symbols, pins, wires, labels, and details |
| .kicad_pcb | Open directly as a board source | Layers, nets, pads, vias, footprints, object details, 2D, board details, and supported board-level 3D |
| Project folder / archive | Keep related source files together before import | Managed workspace context and later revisions instead of disconnected files |
Release-device evidence
Measured KiCad board examples
Two anonymized KiCad PCB samples were opened through the same release-device workflow used for the public homepage measurements.
KiCad PCB
- cold open to viewer
- 4s
- pickable stable memory
- 193 MB
- layers
- 39
- nets
- 1,800
- tracks
- 6,271
- pads + vias
- 11,351
KiCad PCB
- cold open to viewer
- 10s
- pickable stable memory
- 316 MB
- layers
- 37
- nets
- 1,387
- tracks
- 3,258
- pads + vias
- 7,987
Measured on an iPhone 13 standard running iOS 26.5.2 with PCBAtlas 1.0.9. Results describe these specific samples and are not a promise for every file or device. See the shared benchmark context.
KiCad viewer for iOS
How to open a KiCad project on iPhone or iPad
Keep related project files together so PCBAtlas can preserve their context during import.
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Save the KiCad project folder or a supported project archive in the iOS Files app.
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Install PCBAtlas from the App Store and choose the appropriate file, archive, or folder import path.
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Select the intended KiCad project when a folder contains more than one candidate.
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Open the imported workspace and switch between schematic, PCB, Project, Info, and supported 3D views as needed.
PCBAtlas
Continue with a related workflow
Compare the same format on another platform or move to an adjacent design or manufacturing-data guide.
PCBAtlas
FAQ
The fastest way to reduce confusion is to say the boundaries and paid unlocks plainly.
Can I run KiCad on iPhone or iPad?
PCBAtlas lets you open and review supported KiCad files on iPhone and iPad. It is not the complete desktop KiCad editor, so full schematic authoring and PCB layout work should remain in KiCad on a supported desktop platform.
Which KiCad files can PCBAtlas open on iOS?
Current import paths include .kicad_pro projects, .kicad_sch schematics, and .kicad_pcb boards, including supported project folders and archives.
Can PCBAtlas view multi-sheet KiCad schematics on iPad?
Yes. Supported KiCad projects and schematics can expose sheet navigation, project search, locate and highlight actions, details, and canvas picking.
Do KiCad files have to be uploaded to a website?
No for the core viewer path. PCBAtlas imports and reviews supported files locally; optional AI-related capabilities depend on your configured service and sharing choices.