Opposite to widespread perception, there isn’t a good note-taking app; there are nice note-taking apps, however you received’t discover one answer that works for everybody, and most of the people go along with the free app that’s already on their telephone or laptop computer anyway. For many individuals, that’s both Google Maintain or Apple Notes.
I switched to Google Maintain as a result of it helps lots of a very powerful options I already use in Apple Notes, and in contrast to Apple’s app, it’s simply accessible on the net and has apps for each Android and iOS. The trickiest a part of transferring providers is ensuring your notes include you, one thing that’s not straightforward, but it surely’s potential with a bit work.
Should you’re contemplating changing Apple Notes, right here’s why I made a decision to maneuver to Google Maintain and the only manner I discovered to do it with out leaving your notes behind.
Associated
7 straightforward Google Maintain ideas & tips that can assist you keep organized
Use Google’s note-taking app to its fullest potential
Maintain is straightforward to make use of, with good connections to Google’s different apps
Should you use Docs or Gmail, there are instant advantages to switching
Google Maintain was first launched in 2013 as a easy note-taking app for Android, and I believe leaning laborious right into a “Publish-It notes” look helped make Google’s intentions clear.
Maintain wasn’t a full-featured phrase processor like Google Docs, it was for the short, small concepts and lists you wished to save lots of for later. The service has modified lots since then, increasing to iOS, and turning into accessible in a technique or one other in a number of of Google’s Workspace apps, however that simplicity, and the velocity it takes to make an observation, stay.
Apple Notes’ huge benefit over Maintain is that it is deeply built-in with Apple’s {hardware}, significantly the iPad. Should you’re within the Apple ecosystem, you’ll be able to faucet the locked display screen of any fashionable iPad with an Apple Pencil and instantly launch a recent word. Apple can even clear up your handwriting inside any word you select, and even allow you to copy printed textual content right into a handwritten word, then convert it into one thing that resembles your handwriting.
Associated
4 straightforward methods to again up Apple Notes
This is how one can again up your Apple Notes securely
Google Maintain would not supply that, but it surely does have higher handwriting recognition and integration with Gemini. It is too early to say how helpful AI might be, however the benefit Gemini has for me proper now could be that I am already utilizing Google Workspace day-after-day and Gemini can entry practically all of it straight.
Google Maintain is not any totally different; you should use Gemini to make a brand new word, add to an current checklist, or ask questions on stuff you’ve already captured. That talent ought to solely change into extra helpful over time the extra I exploit Maintain.
transfer your notes to Maintain by turning them into PDFs
From PDFs to Docs to Maintain
If, like me, you are enticed to modify, your choices for doing it are pretty restricted, as Apple gives solely a small set of the way to export particular person notes and no technique to take action in bulk. The corporate, whether or not it will admit it or not, would probably love for seamless entry to your notes to be certainly one of many causes you proceed to purchase its merchandise. For our wants, all you get is the flexibility to share notes by Apple’s numerous providers or export them as a PDF.
That stated, Google Maintain can’t ingest PDFs by itself, however in case you mix all of the PDFs of the notes you save right into a single doc, then add that doc into Google Docs, you’ll be able to spotlight and port over your particular person notes straight within Docs. It’s a convoluted answer, but it surely does work.
You possibly can export your notes as PDFs on an iPad or iPhone, but it surely’s simpler to mix these paperwork and add them to Google Carry on a Mac working macOS, the desktop working system with unique entry to Apple Notes. Should you do have a Mac, you’ll want the Notes app open, the Preview app on standby, and Google Drive open in your nearest tab. It additionally helps to have already recognized the notes you wish to save.
1. With no matter word you wish to export, click on on the File part within the menu bar.
2. Click on Export as PDF.
3. Identify the file and select the place you need it to be downloaded.
4. Repeat the method till you will have PDF variations of each word you wish to save.
5. Open one of many PDFs with the Preview app.
6. Be certain that thumbnails are seen by clicking View within the prime left nook of the Preview window and click on Thumbnails (in the event that they’re on, there might be a checkmark. subsequent to the phrase).
7. Drag any PDF file of a word into the Thumbnails part of your open Preview window to mix them.
8. Import the mixed PDF into Google Drive by dragging it into your open Drive tab.
9. Open the PDF in Google Docs by right-clicking it, then click on Open with… then choose Google Docs from the menu.
10. Spotlight the word you wish to add from the mixed doc, then right-click it, and click on on Save to Maintain.
The brand new Maintain notes you create utilizing this course of probably will not have the identical formatting as they did if you made them in Apple Notes, so be at liberty to hop into your new notes and clear up something that appears bizarre.
Holding on to the content material of your notes is what issues most
Google Maintain is only one possibility
The method of transferring notes between providers like Apple Notes and Google Maintain ought to completely be simpler, and coping with proprietary file codecs and restrictive guidelines round importing and exporting notes is certainly one of many causes that individuals select a note-taking software like Obsidian that shops notes in plain textual content. In fact, these instruments have their very own problems too.
If, in spite of everything of this, Google Maintain would not appear to be the best match for you, there are many successful alternate options value contemplating, and in case you’d choose to dive headfirst into the world of devoted note-taking gadgets, there is a checklist for that, too.