Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions before you get started.
Who is BW Hanzi Writer designed for?
BW Hanzi Writer is designed for preschool and primary school-aged children learning to read and write Chinese. The five-level system covers all 3,539 characters in China's compulsory education curriculum, making it suitable for ages 3–12. Adults learning Chinese as a second language will also find it useful.
What features does the app include?
The app includes stroke order animation, standard Mandarin audio pronunciation, interactive handwriting practice powered by HanziWriter, a five-level graded character system, smart review scheduling, and 1,000 categorized vocabulary words.
How many characters does it cover?
BW Hanzi Writer covers all 3,539 Chinese characters from China's compulsory education curriculum, organized across five difficulty levels so learners can progress naturally from the most common to the more complex.
How does smart review work?
The app tracks when you last studied each character and how many times you've practiced it. Characters you haven't reviewed recently or that you've practiced less frequently are automatically prioritized, helping you retain what you've learned.
Is there a free version?
Yes. BW Hanzi Writer is free to download with core functionality available at no cost. Advanced features may require an in-app purchase. Check the App Store listing for the latest pricing.
Does my data leave my device?
No. Your learning progress is stored locally on your device and synced only through your personal iCloud account using Apple's CloudKit. We have no access to your data and use no third-party analytics or tracking.
Does the app sync across devices?
Yes. When iCloud is enabled, BW Hanzi Writer syncs your progress across all your Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, and Mac — so your child can pick up right where they left off.
Is there a Home Screen widget?
Yes. BW Hanzi Writer includes a Home Screen widget so learners can see a featured character of the day on their home screen, helping build a daily habit without even opening the app.
What languages does the app support?
The app interface supports multiple languages. All character content — stroke orders, pinyin, and pronunciation — is based on standard Mandarin Chinese.
How do I get help or report a bug?
Email us at [email protected]. Please include your device model, iOS version, and a brief description of the issue so we can respond as quickly as possible.