ruff: a writing companion app icon

ruff: a writing companion

A pocket-sized notepad you'll want to carry — ruff is a writer's best companion!

Third Culture Apps · ruff.ruff

Not rated yet 100K+ downloads v2025.02.24 17.8 MB Android 5.0+ PEGI 3 · Everyone

  • Signature matches the Google Play version Details

At a glance

Latest version
v2025.02.24 (176)
Updated
Aug 1, 2026 (2 months ago)
APK size
17.8 MB
Requires
Android 5.0+ (API 21)
CPU support
ARM 32-bit, ARM 64-bit
Category
Productivity (app)
Listed since
Feb 19, 2021 (at least)
Permissions
7 (1 sensitive)
Website
thirdculture.app/ruff
Developer contact
[email protected]
Privacy
Developer's privacy policy

About this APK

ruff: a writing companion is an app by Third Culture Apps in the Productivity category, listed since at least February 2021. It includes native code for ARM 32-bit and ARM 64-bit, so it runs on practically every phone.

Since version 2023.07.05, the APK grew from 14.4 MB to 17.8 MB. It asks for 7 permissions, 1 of them sensitive: modify shared storage. Compared with version 2023.07.05, it adds 2 new permissions: “Full network access” and “View network connections”. The app offers in-app purchases through Google Play.

What's new in v2025.02.24

Under the hood changes in preparation for a bigger update (ruff 2) coming later this year.

Description

From the listing uploaded by “appupdater”.

🏆 Winner of Google's 2019 Material Design Award 💎 Winner of Google Play's Best of 2019 “Hidden Gems” ••• ruff is your pocket-sized best friend that aims to make writing on the go fun and sharing it fast & easy. It's a single sheet of text with your progress automatically saved and restored between sessions — no file management to worry about here! You can set aside (aka stash) text to come back to later via a left swipe. Or you can pass it on (aka share) via the FAB. ruff doesn't want (or need) to replace your text editor, to-do app etc. With its original blend of utility & versatility, ruff is the ideal springboard for all your writing on the go: drafts, notes, lists, ideas, thoughts etc. It's a pleasure to write in ruff, and effortless to move the writing out 💪 💬 Still not convinced? Check out what the experts have to say ;) « Ruff’s straightforward brand identity empowers the app’s note-taking users to quickly capture their thoughts in any style. Prioritizing function and clarity, Ruff’s consistent use of typography, shape, and color create an inviting themed experience. » — Google Design ( https://design.google/library/material-design-awards-2019/) « If you like to write and wish you could do so from your Android device without any distractions, then look no further than ruff. The app contains both a light and dark theme, and it even works on Chromebooks, which makes it a great option for portable writing. Saving your content is easy. All you have to do is swipe to the right, and the app will save your progress so that you can easily pick up where you left off, even if you switch to a different Android device. » — Android Police « It’s a bit of a niche product, but it looks nice and it works as described. » — Android Authority 🐕+ Throw a bone 🦴 by upgrading to ruff+ to unleash the following: • Gain full screen estate by removing ads • Set aside (aka stash) as much text as you like (as opposed to the basic 10) • Read the entire content of your text from your home screen widget (it's a full screen preview on the basic widget) ... you'll make an indie developer and their digital pup happy too! ♥

Version history

2 versions are listed, going back to v2023.07.05.

All 2 versions

Security & authenticity

Security rating: Trusted

Signing certificate

  • Signature matches the Google Play version Checked by the source store on Aug 1, 2026.
  • Certificate from Google Play App Signing Google keeps the signing key for the developer, so the certificate carries Google's name.
  • Same certificate as the other version checked

Store checks and file details

  • Developer signature verified Aug 1, 2026
  • Validated against Google Play Aug 1, 2026
  • Signed byCN=Android, OU=Android, O=Google Inc., L=Mountain View, ST=California, C=US
  • Signing certificate (SHA-1)7E:C7:F1:1A:55:3B:D6:91:C9:15:81:FE:B9:EB:97:BB:1E:7D:D7:80
  • File MD564d11e59d0779fa98f2dde05c0aadadf
  • Uploaded by “appupdater” Gold tier · 117,810 followers · uploading since 2020

Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (1 other version compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.

Permissions (7)

ruff: a writing companion requests 7 permissions, 1 of them sensitive.

Required hardware & features

ruff: a writing companion APK: questions and answers

Can I install this APK over the version I already have?

Yes, if your installed copy is older. It is signed like the Google Play version, so Android installs it as an update and keeps your data.

Is ruff: a writing companion free?

The APK is free to download, but the app offers in-app purchases through Google Play.

Is the ruff: a writing companion APK safe?

No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. Its signature matches the Google Play version. It is signed with the same certificate as the other version checked. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is 64d11e59d0779fa98f2dde05c0aadadf.

Tags

More Productivity apps