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Frequently Asked Questions about Goodnotes

What is the difference between GoodNotes 5 and Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is the new version of the app and includes several exclusive features that are not available in GoodNotes 5.

Key new features in Goodnotes include:

For questions about the new AI features, see Goodnotes AI - Frequently Asked Questions.

GoodNotes 5 and Goodnotes are bundled into the same app, so you don’t need to install a separate app. If you already purchased GoodNotes 5, you can keep using it and your notes remain safe, or you can upgrade to Goodnotes 6 to access the newer and experimental features.

I’m an existing GoodNotes 5 user. What happens now that Goodnotes has arrived?

You are encouraged to give Goodnotes a try via our 7-day free trial!

From September 23, 2025, the App Store listing is now titled “Goodnotes.”

If you downloaded the free version of GoodNotes 5 before August 9, 2023:

  • You will be upgraded to the free plan of Goodnotes when you get the latest App Store version. The automatic upgrade ensures that our new users enjoy a consistently great note-taking experience. Rest assured you will retain access to all your existing documents.

If you paid for GoodNotes 5 before August 9, 2023:

  • You can continue to use the paid GoodNotes 5 experience and your notes are safe.
  • You can upgrade to Goodnotes and switch back to GoodNotes 5 anytime. If you then choose to pay for the yearly plan or the one-time purchase, you will get a discount.
    • If you have more than 3 notebooks in GoodNotes 5, and you choose the free plan in Goodnotes 6, you won’t be able to edit or add more than 3 notebooks. You will still be able to view them.
  • We will still be pushing maintenance bug fixes and performance improvements to GoodNotes 5. So, while the newest features will go to Goodnotes, paying GoodNotes 5 users who don’t upgrade can rest assured you’ll continue to have the delightful experience you’re used to.

What if I’m installing Goodnotes from the App Store for the first time?

  • If you download the app for the first time, you will be shown the onboarding flow for the new Goodnotes; GoodNotes 5 will not be available.
  • If you delete your paid version of GoodNotes 5 and redownload "Goodnotes," you can complete the Goodnotes onboarding and switch back to GoodNotes 5 from the Goodnotes menu.

What are the limitations for free users?

At Goodnotes, we want to make sure you have the best note-taking experience possible, even if you're using the free version of the app! As a free user, you'll have access to all the basic features that make Goodnotes the number one note-taking app on the market. However, some of our premium features are limited or not available. Don't worry though, you'll still be able to take and organize notes, which is what Goodnotes is all about! Just be aware that:

  • Free users are limited to 3 notebooks.
  • Audio Recording is limited to 20 minutes per notebook.
  • Import file sizes are limited to 5 MB.
  • Exported documents are watermarked. 

For more details, please see our Pricing page.

Will Special Edition plan users be able to access the same feature set as Subscription in the future?

The feature set will be almost the same. See Which subscription plan is best for me?

Can I get a discount if I buy Essential or Special Edition plan?

See Am I entitled to a discount for Goodnotes 6 if I bought GoodNotes 5?

Can I still switch back to GoodNotes 5?

See Downgrade from Goodnotes 6 to GoodNotes 5.

Are documents created in Goodnotes backwards-compatible with GoodNotes 5?

Notebooks created in Goodnotes can be edited in GoodNotes 5. However, any new features exclusively available to Goodnotes might not be available in GoodNotes 5. For example, if you create a folder with a custom icon and color in Goodnotes (an exclusive feature) and switch back to GoodNotes 5, the folder will still exist in GoodNotes 5 but without the custom icon or color.

How do I create a Goodnotes account?

When you sign up for a Goodnote or Free Trial, we'll walk you through creating a Goodnotes Account. You can choose to sign in with your Apple, Google, or Microsoft account, so you won't have to remember another password!

Important: You might have different Apple/Google/Microsoft accounts with the same email address, but Goodnotes will see them as separate Goodnotes accounts when you create them. For this reason, it's important to make sure to remember the login provider and the login details so that you can log back in to the app to have your subscription details retrieved correctly, instead of accidentally creating a new Goodnotes account. Otherwise, you might run into this error: Why am I getting "It looks like your Goodnotes account is already associated to a different sign in method."?

What is the difference between your iCloud account and Goodnotes Account?

  • Goodnotes Account: This is required for using Goodnotes and cannot be skipped. It is separate from your iCloud account and used specifically to sign in to the Goodnotes app. You can log in using your Apple, Google, or Microsoft account.
    • Each Goodnotes account is recognized as a unique pair of login email and login provider (Google / Apple / Microsoft), which you can view under Goodnotes menu > your profile name.
    • If you enabled Goodnotes Cloud sync, your data will be synced across devices logged into your Goodnotes account, using Goodnotes Cloud. See Sync your Goodnotes library across all platforms with Goodnotes Cloud
    • Each Goodnotes Account can only have one type of membership at a time.
    • Your membership is shared across all devices logged into the same Goodnotes account.
  • iCloud Account: This refers to your Apple Account, as shown in your Apple device Settings. It is used for recognizing purchases and, if iCloud sync is enabled, for syncing documents via iCloud.
    • If you’ve bought the Special Edition plan or Essential plan for Goodnotes through Apple App Store, you can check your purchase record in the Apple App Store app, logged in with your Apple Account.
    • If you enabled iCloud sync, your data will be synced to your iCloud Account.

If you’ve bought the Special Edition plan or Essential plan through Apple App Store, your Goodnotes membership is linked to both your Apple Account (the one you use to log into the App Store App) and your Goodnotes account (the one used to log into the Goodnotes app). To ensure proper access to your account and membership, make sure you're logged into the correct account in both places.

 

Can I use two Goodnotes Accounts on one device?

You can log in to different Goodnotes accounts on the same device (via a Google/Apple/Microsoft account) but note that your Goodnotes premium access is linked to only one Goodnotes account per App Store account. Your App Store account (aka "Media & Purchases" account) is the one you use to make App Store purchases.

More questions about subscribing to Goodnotes? See our Subscriptions FAQs.