Onenote on iPad keeps switching to text mode automatically & can't switch back.

Dear BradWils0,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, it seems that you are using OneNote on iPad, however, keeps switching to text mode automatically and can't switch back.

If the understanding above is right, considering that we and many users can reproduce a similar situation in OneNote, there's a possibility that the issue may be related to the version of the OneNote app on iPad, more resources need to be involved in.

Given this situation, we'd sincerely recommend you use the built-in Feedback option from Settings > Send Feedback within OneNote app. Feedback submit by this way directly goes to the related team, this is the best way to let Word developers aware of this situation, help do investigation for the issue and fix it soon.

For your reference: How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365? - Microsoft Support

Additionally, we noticed that you post this question in For education category, we suppose you have a Microsoft 365 Education account. If so, we'd sincerely recommend you contact your Microsoft 365 administrator, follow steps in this article, raise a support ticket and contact Microsoft related team. The support team has higher permission to directly and remotely assist you. They also have the correct escalation channel to report the issue. This would be the most efficient way in handling this case for you. 

For reference: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support

Thanks for your cooperation and understanding! We hope you stay safe and healthy always.

Sincerely,

Rhoda | Microsoft Community Moderator

Suddenly last week I started to have the same problem, one note defaulting to text mode on iPad Pro 12.9inch model number ML2I2TY/A with iPadOS 16.4.1. Onenote version 16.72. After spending a considerable amount of time combining various sequences of tool selection I hacked my way out of the problem with -select pen - draw ˆ select new pen (oh dear it’s gone into text mode, how irritating) select rubber- select new pen. In this way the pen or select tool stays selected to use until the next selection which defaults back to text.again and on it goes. Shame.I use Onenote a lot to jot down my thoughts but this hitch stops them from flowing. Should I buy a Remarkable II? Just kidding.

Hey!

My current solution is to select eraser -> restart app -> enter into OneNote -> select pen. Its the best I have found to do.

Same issue, incredibly frustrating.......been using oneNote for a couple of years, and just recently been having this problem. Hope they fix it soon, going crazy with note taking.

Hi all, trying to transition to OneNote from NotetakerHD as I like all the syncing and components of OneNote, but this is ridiculous.

I only use my apple pen when on IPAD and do type unless I have too, this is very frustrating and until fixed will not use it