How can I migrate my documents from GoodNotes 4 to GoodNotes 5?

Please make sure that both versions of GoodNotes are installed on your device. Then, you have several options to migrate your notes from GoodNotes 4 to GoodNotes 5. GoodNotes will automatically suggest the most comfortable way to migrate your documents. Note that the app will need to stay open in the foreground during the migration process. You can resume the migration from the GoodNotes 5 Settings menu at any time.

Option 1 - iCloud (recommended)

If you use iCloud in GoodNotes 4 and GoodNotes 5, then you can comfortably migrate your documents within GoodNotes 5. While your documents are migrating over, you'll have unrestricted access to GoodNotes 5's new features.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open GoodNotes 5.
2. Go through the welcome screens and activate iCloud (you can also activate it in GoodNotes Settings later).
3. A pop-up will show up asking whether you want to import your documents from GoodNotes 4.
4. Tap on “Yes! Import now.”
5. The migration process will start. Once it is completed, you'll receive a notification.

Troubleshooting Tips

• You can always start the migration process from the Settings in GoodNotes 5 in case you dismissed the pop-up.
• If the migration stops for any reason (e.g. Internet disconnection, the app closing), restart it from the settings in GoodNotes 5.
• If some of your documents weren't transferred to GoodNotes 5, export them manually from GoodNotes 4 to GoodNotes 5.

Option 2 - local migration (without iCloud)

GoodNotes will detect whether or not you're using iCloud and will offer you the suitable migration process. In this case, you will need to wait until the migration in GoodNotes 4 is completed before you can use GoodNotes 5. If you don't use iCloud, you can migrate your documents locally. Follow the steps below.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open GoodNotes 5.
2. Go through the welcome screens and activate iCloud (you can also activate it in GoodNotes Settings later).
3. A pop-up will show up asking whether you want to import your documents from GoodNotes 4.
4. Tap on “Yes! Import now.”
5. GoodNotes 4 should open automatically and you'll see a pop-up showing the progress of the migration.
6. Once the process is completed in GoodNotes 4, GoodNotes 5 will open again automatically.
7. Your documents will now be imported automatically and you'll receive a notification once the process is fully completed.

Troubleshooting

• If anything doesn't work, restart the migration process from the GoodNotes 5 Menu
• If the process should fail, please use Option 3 as a workaround

Option 3 - Manual migration (backup option)

You can manually migrate your documents from GoodNotes 4 to GoodNotes 5 by creating a backup and importing it into the new app.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open GoodNotes 4
2. Tap on Settings in the lower right corner of the Library View
3. Choose “Backup All”
4. Select a destination (if you use iTunes, remember to connect your device to your computer with a USB cable)
5. The backup process will start and once it is done, you'll see a .zip file that includes all your documents in the destination you chose
6. Open GoodNotes 5
7. Tap on the + button in the library and choose “Import”
8. Navigate to the destination and select the .zip file
9. The import will start automatically