Last updated - November 10, 2023
Whether you’re writing notes on your phone or annotating a picture, Google Keep is one of the best note-taking applications available for both Android and iOS. The majority of Android devices come with it preloaded, so you can start using it as soon as you set up your new Android phone or tablet. iOS users, on the other hand, may just download from their App Store.
If you are new to Google Keep and don’t know where to start, then this blog is for you. Because in this blog, I will discuss everything you need to know about Google Keep and how you use it to your advantage. In addition to this blog, I have embedded a video at the end of the blog and it provides additional information about Google Keep and how you can use the app efficiently.
What is Google Keep?
Google Keep is the company’s take on a note-taking tool, but it’s more than just a place to jot down brief ideas or simple checklists.
For starters, since it was created by Google, it syncs to Google Drive automatically, allowing you to view it from any device where you use your Google account, including a computer, phone, or tablet. By doing so, you can access the appropriate note quickly and easily without having to search across your multiple accounts or devices.
Collaborating on notes, lists, photographs, audio files, and drawings with coworkers is simple with Keep. Quickly write down brainstorming ideas, hold onto them while working, and watch as tasks are completed in real-time.
As Google’s dedicated note-taking software that is connected with other Google apps and services like Docs and Drive, Google Keep was released in 2013. Keep is ideal for quickly jotting down thoughts that can be transferred into Google Documents later, even if Google Docs is superior for writing larger pieces. It’s also excellent for to-do lists, but if that’s all you use Keep for, you might be better off with a separate to-do list app.
Getting Started with Google Keep
You must select a platform before you can use Google Keep. For smartphones and smartwatches, the Keep Android app can be found in the Google Play Store. For iPhone and iPad users, the Keep app can be found in the App Store. The desktop application also functions on the majority of web browsers, and the Chrome Web Store has a Google Keep web clipper plugin.
For starters, because it was created by Google, it syncs to Google Drive automatically, allowing you to access it from any device that is connected to your Google account, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. In this manner, you avoid having to search through your multiple accounts or devices for the appropriate note.
How to Use Google Keep?
Although Google Keep is essentially a note-taking app, its uses extend beyond just taking notes, and in this section, I will describe them in detail.
Creating Notes
It may appear straightforward to create a note, but it’s simple to overlook certain useful alternatives. In Google Keep, there are five different note types, each with a special function. When you open the app, five icons appear at the bottom of your screen and they are:
- List: These are perfect for creating shopping lists. By clicking the list option you will be able to create a list of checkboxes against each item you add. You can also create sub-items by aligning the checkboxes to the right under a specific item.
- Drawing: On many occasions, you will have creative thoughts that may be difficult to put into words. In such cases, you can simply draw your thoughts and store them away and either retain them or convert them into written notes.
- Audio: Getting inspiring ideas on the go? Don’t worry! You can speak your ideas and record them as an audio file and then transcribe them. Audio notes are the perfect tool if you don’t want to miss even a single idea no matter how small or big they may be.
- Photo: You may often read an important piece of information in an article or a newsletter and desire to take note of that to mull over it. Don’t worry about sitting and copying the information by typing them, just click a picture and store it.
- Regular: These are regular hand-typed notes. Regular notes can be used under various circumstances including recording your relaxing thoughts, life lessons, short-term and long-term goals, family discussions, etc.
Things to Know While Creating Notes
- There is a ‘Title’ field for every note type. After you fill this out, your note will appear on Keep’s home screen with a bold heading, making it simpler to find.
- Open a note, press the + button in the lower-left corner of your screen to bring up a choice of options, and then choose how you want to combine the notes (for instance, to add a photo to a checklist or a recording to a sketch).
- Long-press a note and then tap the three dots in the top-right corner of your screen to archive or remove it. Then select Archive or Delete. By selecting Archive or Trash from the menu in the top-left corner of your screen, you can access these notes at a later time.
Setting a Reminder on Google Keep
One of the most helpful functions of Google Keep is the reminder functionality. You can add a reminder to a Keep note instead of setting one up in your clock app. At a specific time or place, this reminder can be set to go off. As you walk into a store, use it to have your shopping list pop up immediately.
- Long press on any note on the Google Keep homescreen.
- Tap the alarm bell icon in the upper-right corner of your screen.
- Select the Time or Place tab.
- Enter your details and tap Save.
Adding a Collaborator to a Note
Add the person as a collaborator if you want them to be a part of the original Google Keep note. And to do that you can follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Open a note.
- Tap the vertical ellipsis button in the lower-right corner of your screen.
- Tap the Collaborator button.
- Enter the email address of the recipient.
- Tap Save
Each collaborator on a letter will have their profile photo shown beneath the note. To dismiss a collaborator, tap their profile symbol at the bottom of the note and then tap the X icon next to their name.
Sharing a Note Using Messaging Apps
Google Keep has you covered whether you’re going shopping with a pal or brainstorming ideas for a project. It’s easy to share a message, and we’ll show you how.
- Long press on a note.
- Tap the three-dot button in the upper-right corner of your screen.
- Tap Send.
- Choose a suggested contact or app. Or, tap a messaging app to bring up a list of contacts to share with.
Organizing and Customizing Notes
Making notes is beneficial, but if you don’t organize them, you’ll never be able to locate that important idea you recorded. There are many options in Google Keep that you can use to organize and personalize your notes so they stand out in the app.
Labels
The Label button is located in the upper-right area of your screen. Long press on a note to access it. The group notes with the same labels together so that you may search and organize them.
Drag and Drop
A note’s position on the Google Keep home page can be changed by long pressing and dragging the note. Under your pinned notes, new notes are added at the top.
Pins
In the top-right corner of your screen, tap the Pin button after giving a note a long press. Regardless of when they were made, pinned notes always show up first on the site.
Color
Tap the Palette button in the top-right corner of your screen after giving a note a long push. You can either select a background or alter the note’s background color by tapping it.
Views
Click the button next to your profile photo on the Google Keep homepage. Here, you have the option of switching between a single column and many columns.
Additional Features
Perhaps Google Keep may not be as feature-rich as other well-liked note-taking applications. Yet, it is a component of the Google ecosystem and integrates effectively with other Google services. These Google Keep features are some of the more recent ones.
Speech to Text
Why not use voice control instead of Google Keep’s convenient mobile app? Support for Google Keep is one of many helpful features that Google Assistant has up its sleeve. Start by telling Google to take a note. If you need to make a shopping list, a Google Nest Hub will show it to you when you ask it to.
Auto Sync to Google Calendar
It instantly syncs with your Google Calendar when you add a reminder in Keep. As if you had created a reminder in Google Calendar, the subsequent event has the same appearance. Write down any necessary notes and add forthcoming meetings to Google Keep. You will have all of your notes available when the meeting time comes.
Open Google Keep Notes on Google Doc
You may access your Google Keep notes in Google Documents if you’re jotting down ideas for a paper or other assignment. Drag Keep photos to your page by opening the side panel in Google Documents. If you have hundreds of notes, you may easily discover them by utilizing the search box in the side panel. It has the same search capabilities as Google but only looks through your text and audio notes.
Add Google Keep Chrome Extension
If you are someone who extensively uses a laptop or a desktop and would like to use Google Keep for note-taking purposes, then you should know that it is extremely difficult to keep juggling between your personal computer and your smartphone device.
It is, for this reason, we recommend you to add the Chrome extension of Google Keep. Here’s how you can do it.
- Install the Google Keep extension.
- Right-click on any image or anywhere on a web page.
- Navigate over Google Keep Chrome Extension in the context menu.
- Choose one of the options. Regardless of the option you choose, the Keep note contains a URL to the web page.
- The image is saved to Keep, and you can add a note or label to the item from the pop-up window.
Managing the Notes with Android Widgets
On your Android phone’s homescreen, Google Keep offers three useful widgets. The first one allows you to quickly create a note, the second one enables note browsing without opening the app, and the third one is solely for a single note. To find the widgets, simply search for Keep in your Widgets menu after long-pressing on the homescreen of your phone to enter the Widgets menu. These widgets’ sizes can be changed to alter the buttons that are offered.
Conclusion
You can easily create, modify, and share notes using Google Keep, a great app. You can do a lot with both the Android and iOS versions of Google Keep, and by integrating it into your everyday life. Make sure to know all the tips and tricks of Google Keep so that you have a seamless experience using it.
