You can add audio to your files and documents using the Audio Recording tool.
What is Audio Recording?
The Audio Recording tool allows you to record audio while you are writing or revising your notes and gives you the ability to listen back while simultaneously watching your ideas come to life with Note Replay. This tool can help you avoid missing important information in lectures, review the context behind your notes or leave your own commentary on your notes
Enabling Microphone Permissions
When you first use the Audio Recording tool, you'll be prompted to grant microphone access to Goodnotes. If you missed the prompt or see a "Browser Microphone Permission Denied" message, you can find the Microphone setting again:
For iOS: Go to Device Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone, then turn on the toggle for Goodnotes.
For Android, Windows, and Web: Go to your browser settings.
- Samsung Internet: Menu (three lines) → Settings → Sites and downloads → Site permissions → Microphone
- Google Chrome: Menu (three dots) → Settings → Site settings → Microphone
-
Edge: Go to
edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/microphone
What is Note Replay?
Note Replay is a feature of Audio Recording that can replay your handwriting in sync with the audio.
While you are recording, the notes you write are synchronized with your recording. During playback, your handwriting can be shown in different ways depending on your Replay mode (see below).
Where do I find Audio Recording?
Audio Recording can be initiated by selecting Record and Summarize on Tool bar. Tapping this icon will immediately start a new recording.
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- Once tapped, an orange recording control with time will be shown and Goodnotes will start recording audio.
- Tap on the stop icon to stop recording.
- Tap on the Wave icon to toggle the Audio panel.
- You can record additional audio clips by tapping on the Record & Summarize icon again.
Playback Controls
A list of Audio Clips can be viewed by opening the Sidebar under Audio panel.
Playing your recordings
- Tap a Audio Clip to open Playback Controls.
- Press play to listen to your recording and watch your notes playback with Note Replay.
- Skip back and forward 10 seconds with the back and forward buttons on the right-hand side.
- Use your finger to hold and drag around the timeline to find your spot.
Replay modes (how handwriting appears during playback)
When available, you can choose how your handwritten notes behave during audio playback:
- Spotlight (default): Notes ahead of the playback position appear faded, while notes that have already played remain fully visible.
- Real-time reveal: Your handwriting is revealed progressively during playback, as if it’s being written in real time.
- Static: All handwriting stays fully visible during playback (no fading or reveal animation).
Replay mode settings currently have these limitations:
- Platforms: available on iOS and macOS only. Replay mode settings do not sync across platforms at this time.
- Document types: available for notebook documents only (not available for Whiteboards or Text Documents).
Managing your recordings
Audio Recording allows you to make multiple recordings in a single document. The point where each new recording starts is shown by the dots on the playback timeline.
Goodnotes AI for meetings
Learn more about to generate Summary and Transcript in this help article.
We hope this gives you a basic introduction to using Audio Recording in Goodnotes. If you have further questions we recommend checking out these other guides on using Audio Recording: