• A new note can be created by tapping the + (plus) icon located in the bottom right part of the notes list.
• A note can be deleted with the “Delete” button in the top right corner on the opened note screen. Deleted notes will be moved to the “Trash” folder by default (it can be changed in the app’s settings). To restore a note open the “Trash” folder from the main menu.
• Some operations, like deleting, can be performed on multiple notes. To select multiple notes hold a finger for a few seconds on a note list. This will turn on the selection mode, where it’s possible to select notes by tapping them on the list. Actions available for the selected notes are shown in the top part of the screen.
• Notes are saved automatically whenever it’s needed. There is no need to use the “Save” button. The app will detect when a note has been changed and needs to be saved, for example when switching apps or closing the note. Auto-saving can be disabled on the settings screen.
• After making an unwanted change while editing note, the “Undo” and “Redo” buttons can be used to remove that change. The changes can be undone only while the note is opened for edit. After closing a note the changes are saved permanently.
• Notes can be opened in read mode. In that mode a note can’t be changed and the keyboard won’t open. To change modes use the menu on the note screen.
• Notes can be grouped in categories. To create a new category open the app's main ☰ menu and use the "Edit categories" function. This will open a new screen where categories can be added, edited, and removed. It is also possible to drag a category item and change order of categories.
  After adding a category it will be listed in the app's main menu, from where all notes in a given category can be listed.

The issue is caused by the latest system update (Android 13) published by Samsung. The update added a text correction component called Grammarly to Samsung's keyboard. Some users reported weird behaviour in the app, for example:

• cursor "jumping" up and down
• text disappearing by itself
• keyboard slowing down for longer notes

There are few workarounds reported by users of the app. They all involve Samsung keyboard settings or just switching to another keyboard. Please try any of the following:

• turning Grammarly off in keyboard settings (here's a video showing the steps)
  1. Open keyboard settings with the small gear icon above keyboard
  2. Select "Suggest text corrections"
  3. Disable writing assistant
• turning Grammarly off for the notepad app (here's a video showing the steps)
  1. Open keyboard settings with the small gear icon above keyboard
  2. Select "Suggest text corrections"
  3. Select "Manage apps"
  4. Scroll down to the notepad app and disable it
• resetting keyboard settings (here's a video showing the steps)
  1. Open keyboard settings with the small gear icon above keyboard
  2. Scroll down to "Reset to default settings" and open it
  3. Select "Reset keyboard settings"
  4. Select "Reset"
• switching to another keyboard, for example Gboard

If there are no notes present in the app, then a backup copy must be used to recover the notes.

Did you save a backup copy of notes to a file using the “Backup” screen in the app? If yes, then notes can be loaded from the backup file - How can I load a backup copy file?

If there is a device (Google) backup copy with the app's data, then it could be used to restore notes (How can I restore notes from Google device backup copy?).
If there's no backup copy present, then please contact technical support by using the button at the bottom of this screen.

• Using backup copy file (What is a backup copy file?):
  1. Save a backup copy file on the old device - How can I save notes to a backup copy file?
  2. Copy the backup copy file to another device - How can I copy a file between devices?
  3. Load notes from the backup copy file on the new device - How can I load a backup copy file?
• Copying notes as txt files:
  1. On the old device: use the "Export..." button from the top right corner menu on the note list screen
  2. Copy the exported txt files to another device - How can I copy a file between devices?
  3. On the new device: import notes from txt files by using the "Import..." button from the top right corner menu on the note list screen
• If Google device backup is enabled on both devices, then the notes should be transferred automatically after installing the app on the new device - What is a device (Google) backup?. If the notes haven’t been transferred automatically, then please check on the old phone if the “Use device’s backup” option is enabled in the app’s settings.

1. Open “Backup screen” (☰ - “Backup”)
2. Use the “Save backup file” button (I saved a backup copy, where is the file?)
3. (Optionally) change the location and file name

1. If the backup copy file is on Drive, download it to the device first
2. Open “Backup screen” (☰ - “Backup”)
3. Use the “Load notes from a backup file” button
4. Select the backup copy file and decide what should happen with the notes present in the app. Two options will be presented:
   • overwrite notes- if there are two different versions of the same note: one in the app and one in the backup copy, then the version from the backup copy will replace the one in the app
   • delete notes absent in backup file- notes not present in the backup copy (but currently present on the notes list in the app) will be deleted
   Selecting neither of the options will just load notes from the backup copy file which are not present in the app.

• If the backup copy file is on Drive, download it to the device first
• Try using another file manager app. Just search for “file manager” in Play store, and install any app
• Make sure that you are loading an unmodified backup copy file created by the app. Do not modify the backup copy file
• If the instructions above didn’t help, contact technical support by using the button at bottom of the screen

Resetting to factory settings deletes all apps with data, including notes. If the notes were deleted, then the only way to restore them is to use a backup copy, if one was made. Please check if there is a backup copy that could be used to restore the notes - My notes are lost. How can I recover them?

Android devices can back up apps’ data (and contacts, messages, etc.) on a Google account. The backed up data can be restored on a new device, after resetting a phone to factory settings, or after reinstalling an app. The “Notepad Free” app’s data can also be backed up this way, but this option must be enabled in the app’s and the device’s settings.

Backups occur automatically when all of the following conditions are met:

• The user has enabled backup on the device. In Android 9, this setting is in Settings> System> Backup.
• At least 24 hours have elapsed since the last backup.
• The device is idle.
• The device is connected to a Wi-Fi network (if the device user hasn't opted in to mobile-data backups).

More information about the topic can be found on the Google’s support page and here - How can I restore notes from Google device backup copy?.

The app may store backup copy on the user's Google Drive. On some devices (e.g. Huawei) the option may not be available, as there are no Google Play Services used. When it’s available, the backup data is stored in the hidden app's data folder which is accessible by the app only. Other apps can't access the data. The user can delete the files using Google Drive web app:

1. Open the web version of Google Drive
2. Open "Settings"
3. Find the "Notepad Free" app on the list
4. Use available options, if needed

1. Open the “Drive” app (an app named “Drive”, not the “Notepad Free” app). The app can be found on almost every phone or on Google Play store page.
2. Open the "Drive" app's main menu with the ☰ button in the top left corner
3. Select "Backups" from the menu
4. The "Backups" screen will list backup copies saved on the Google (Gmail) account used on the phone. To check if a backup copy contains data for "Notepad Free" app:
   1. Select a backup copy
   2. Tap "App data"
   3. Browse the list of apps

Troubleshooting:

• If the "Backups" screen is empty, then the device backup copy is disabled for the current Google account. In that case restoring data may be impossible. Please follow the instructions on the "Backups" screen to enable device backup. This will affect only future backup copies
• If there's no "Notepad Free" on the apps list, but other apps are present, then maybe the setting for device backup is/was disabled in the "Notepad Free" app's settings. If the app can be accessed, the setting should be changed
• If the "Use Wi-Fi only" option is selected on the system backup settings screen, then the apps will not be backed up if the device never uses a Wi-Fi connection. In that case disable that setting to create backup copies in the future. This will use mobile data, so please make sure that your mobile plan can cover it
• Please also check the relevant Google’s support page
• In case of additional questions please contact tech support by using the button at the bottom of the screen

1. Check if there is a Google device backup copy with the app's data - How can I check if notes were backed up with Google device backup?
2. If there is a backup copy containing "Notepad Free" data:
   • If the backup copy is in the This device section, then the app's data will be restored after reinstalling the app
   • If the backup copy is in the Other devices section, then that backup copy must be used instead of the current one. Unfortunately it requires formatting the device:
     1. Backup all your important data that could be lost during phone reset (mail it somewhere or upload to Drive)
     2. Delete your current backup copy (not the one with the "Notepad Free" data) in the "Drive" app (using the 3 dots menu)
     3. Reset the phone to factory settings
     4. Select your old backup copy during the setup after reset
     5. Old backup copy should be used after you'll install "Notepad Free" again
     6. Warning: resetting a device to factory settings will clear all data! Carefully backup all data in step 1. Please contact technical support before applying these instructions. Use the button at bottom of the screen.
   • Additional information can be found on Google support page

All notes are stored in the app’s internal space. That space is not accessible to any other app. It means that file manager apps won't see the notes and even connecting to a computer won't grant access to the notes. That's for securing the notes. The only way to access the notes is to use the app.

Notes can be exported as txt files outside the app and saved (for example) in the "Downloads" folder. Use the "Export..." button that is located in the top right corner menu to export the notes as txt files in any given location. Using the button will open the standard system dialog window for choosing a location. The button is available on the note list screen (to export all notes) and on the note edit screen (for exporting the note being edited).

If the device backup copy is enabled in the device’s settings, then the app’s data (including) notes will be stored in an encrypted form on Google Drive (What is a device (Google) backup?). If the phone broke, then it’s worth checking the device Google backup copy.

If you still have the old phone, then the notes could be transferred - How can I transfer notes to a new device?.
If that phone is no longer available, then the notes can be only recovered from a Google backup if one was made - What is a device (Google) backup?.
Please contact technical support in case of any questions (use the button at bottom of the screen).

Please check the answer for My notes are lost. How can I recover them?.

There’s also the service that can help locating a phone.

The notes are stored in the device’s internal memory. The option of moving the app to an SD card is blocked to follow Google’s recommendation. Apps with widgets (like “Notepad Free”) should not be able to be moved to an SD card.

In one of the next updates I’m going to add an option to set any location for the notes folder, including SD card.

If you just want to make a backup copy, then please check the “Backup” screen. A backup copy file could be moved anywhere.

Currently there’s no synchronization option in the app. I’m going to add it one of the next updates. To know more about transferring notes please check another question - How can I transfer notes to a new device?.

Please enter the “Trash” folder from the app’s main menu. To open the main menu use the main menu ☰ button in the top left corner of the notes list screen.
The “Trash” folder will list all deleted notes. Tap a note on the list to restore or delete it.

There are many ways to do it: send it by email, use Drive, share by Bluetooth, etc. For example using Drive:

1. Upload the file to Drive on the old phone
2. Download the file from Drive on the new phone

Backup copy files can be placed in any directory on the device, or even on Google Drive. User can choose a destination folder and a name for the backup copy file. After saving a backup copy file, the filename is displayed on the “Backup” screen. If you can’t find the file, just try to save it again, noticing the folder name displayed (usually on top) on the screen where the file list is displayed.

In older versions of the app (pre 2020) backup copy files were saved in the “NotepadFree/backup” folder.

Currently text only notes can be created in the app. I’ll add a function for adding pictures to notes in one of the next updates. It’s probably one of the most requested features. I know that it will be useful for many users.

Uninstalling the app will delete notes stored on the device. If there was a backup copy made, then the notes can be recovered. Please check the answer for My notes are lost. How can I recover them?.

Please check the answer on Google support page.

Please use the “Technical support” button on the password screen to contact me.

Since 1.11.0 version the “Reset password” button can be used to send password recovery instructions to an email address given in the app’s settings.

There are few ways of backing up notes:

• On the "Backup" screen
  • Using online ("cloud") service. The app may use a Google account to store a backup copy on Google Drive. What is the cloud backup option?
  • Making a backup copy file on a device. A backup copy file can be used to recover notes at a later time. Copying a backup copy file outside phone adds additional protection against losing data. What is a backup copy file?
• Using a device backup. Device backup can be enabled on the phone and include notes in the app. It’s usually set by users when the phone is started for the first time. It can be enabled at a later time as well. What is a device (Google) backup?
• Exporting notes as txt files and storing the files outside the phone. The "Export..." button is located in the top right corner on the note list screen
• Using the "Share" button (top right corner menu) on a note screen to send it via email or any other app

It’s a file containing notes and additional data (metadata) in a special format . It can be created on the “Backup” screen in the app.

It’s not meant to be modified by the user. The file can be used to make a backup copy of notes outside a device. It can also be used to transfer notes between devices.

Related questions:
• How can I transfer notes to a new device?
• How can I load a backup copy file?
• I saved a backup copy, where is the file?

The “Print” button is located in the top right corner of the note screen.

If a backup copy was made on the phone (on the “Backup” screen) and it’s possible to connect the phone to a computer, then the backup copy file could be used to restore the notes. What is a backup copy file?

If the app’s data was saved with the broken device’s Google backup, then it could be recovered on a new device - How can I check if notes were backed up with Google device backup?

If no backup copy file was saved and the app’s data wasn’t backed on Google account, then it’s not possible to access the notes while the device is broken. Maybe it’s worth checking if the device can be repaired. For example, broken screens can be replaced.
Please contact technical support for more information (use the button at bottom of the screen).

There’s only the Android version of the app available at the moment. Notes could be sent by email by using the “Share” button (top right corner of the note screen).

1. Go to the notes list.
2. Hold a finger on a note for a moment. This will open the multi selection menu.
3. Select notes that you want to categorize. Tap to select. Tap second time to deselect.
4. Use the “🏷 Categorize” button from the top right corner menu.
5. Select categories for the selected notes and confirm.
6. Exit multi selection mode with the “Back” button or the letf top corner arrow button.

That’s because of the dark theme which is enabled when the device's battery saving mode is turned on. You can disable it in the app's settings: ☰->Settings->Theme->Light .

Currently there's no option to change font size in the app's settings, but I'm going to add it in one of the future updates. It's possible to change font size in a device's settings, I know that some users use that option. Please check the support page.

Currently there’s no such option in the app, but I’m going to add it in one of the next updates.

To remove password:

1. Open the password settings: ☰->Settings->Password settings->Password
2. Enter current password, leave other fields empty, click “Ok”
3. Password is removed

There’s no reminder function in the current version in the app, but I’m going to add it in one of the next updates.

Please open the “Turn off ads” screen from the main menu to see options for removing ads.

(Since the 1.20.0 version)

Data deletion request feature in the app will send identifiers to the developer. These identifiers are linked to data stored outside the app in analytics services. The developer will send requests to the services to delete the data. Example of data stored: number of times the app was opened or country in which the app was opened.

No personal information (like email or name) is ever collected in the app or sent anywhere outside the app. Especially notes are never sent outside the app. Only the user can see and edit the notes.

More information regarding the usage of data can be found in the app’s privacy policy, available in the app’s main menu.

You can also just email me directly at notepad.free@outlook.com or by using the button at the bottom of this page.

Please contact technical support by using the button at bottom of the screen.

The app can save or load backup copy files. The permission is needed for the app to be able to read or write to a backup copy file. The permission can be revoked in any moment by a user.

Since version 1.11.0 (July 2020) the permission is no longer needed.