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Use Goodnotes widgets on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Overview

Goodnotes widgets let you create a QuickNote or open favorite documents from your Home Screen (or Mac desktop) without opening the app first.

Currently available widgets:

  • QuickNote widget: create a new QuickNote with one tap
  • Favorites widget: open up to 4 of your most recently modified favorite items (documents or folders)

Add a Goodnotes widget

On iPhone or iPad

  1. From your Home Screen, touch and hold an empty area until the app icons start to jiggle.

  2. Choose Edit in the top-left corner > Add Widget.

  3. Choose Goodnotes in the left sidebar, then swipe in the right-hand panel to choose a widget: QuickNote or Favorites.

  4. Choose Add Widget, then Done in the top-right corner.

On Mac

  1. Right-click on your desktop > Edit Widgets…

  2. Choose Goodnotes in the left sidebar, then hover over a Goodnotes widget: QuickNote or Favorites.

  3. Choose the Plus icon in top-left corner of that widget, then click Done.

Use the Favorites widget

The Favorites widget shows up to four of your most recently modified favorite items.

From the widget, you can:

  • Tap a document or folder title to open it directly
  • Tap outside the list to open the full Favorites view in Goodnotes
  • Tap the QuickNote icon to create a new QuickNote
  • Tap the Search icon to search in Goodnotes

Choose what appears in Favorites

To make an item appear in the Favorites widget, mark it as a favorite in Goodnotes:

  1. Open Goodnotes.
  2. In your Library, open or locate a document or folder.
  3. Tap the ⭐ (star) to add it to Favorites.

💡 If you do not see changes reflected right away, send Goodnotes to the background and check again.

Use the QuickNote widget

Use the QuickNote widget to create a new QuickNote immediately:

  • Tap the widget; Goodnotes opens and creates a new QuickNote.

Troubleshooting

I added the Favorites widget but it is empty

  • Make sure you have at least one item marked as a Favorite in Goodnotes.
  • Send Goodnotes to the background so the widget can refresh.

I favorited an item but it is not showing

  • The widget shows up to 4 items only; try modifying the item (open it and make a small change) so it becomes one of the most recently modified favorites.

Can I use widgets in Goodnotes for Android, Windows, and Web?

  • No; widgets are currently available on Apple platforms only.