Have your documents automatically uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or WebDAV for safekeeping while you work in Goodnotes.
Auto Backup works best with iCloud sync, so you can still find copies in your Auto Backup folder if something happens to your local library.
Auto Backup is available on iOS and iPadOS. It is not currently available in Goodnotes for macOS — use iCloud sync to keep documents synced across Apple devices.
How it works
Auto Backup is a one-way process. It does not sync changes across your devices the way iCloud does. Changes you make in the cloud storage do not change your Goodnotes library.
When you do these actions in the app, Auto Backup uploads or updates the matching copy in cloud storage:
- Create or import a document
- Create a folder
- Recover a deleted item
- Change the content or template of a page
- Add, remove, or reorder pages
- Rename a document or folder
- Move a document or folder (updates the remote folder structure)
Auto Backup does not change the remote copy when you:
- Modify the custom outline of a document
- Favorite or unfavorite a page or document
- Delete a document or folder
How often Auto Backup runs
On Apple devices, Auto Backup runs less often by default so Goodnotes uses less battery and data. After a successful backup, background Auto Backup usually waits about 12 hours before running again.
Auto Backup is still on. Your notes continue to back up on a regular schedule. This change does not turn Auto Backup off, and it is not the same as iCloud sync.
If you want fresher backups:
- Back up manually anytime — see Back up and restore your library manually.
- Or increase Auto Backup frequency in settings (steps below).
Important: With the default schedule, work since your last successful backup may not be in the cloud yet if the app crashes or the device is lost. Back up manually before major events such as a device reset, OS update, or switching devices.
Increase Auto Backup frequency
- Open the Goodnotes menu (top-right of Library view).
- Open Cloud & Back up Status (or tap the cloud status icon in Library view).
- Tap Cloud & Backup Settings.
- Toggle on Increase Auto Backup frequency.
When this setting is on, Auto Backup runs more often (about every 1–2 minutes), closer to the previous cadence.
Set up Auto Backup
- Tap the Goodnotes menu in the top-right corner of Library view > Cloud & Backup > Automatic Backup, and enable Auto Backup.
- Choose a cloud storage provider and sign in.
- Change other Auto Backup settings if needed (including Increase Auto Backup frequency), then tap Done.
The first time you enable Auto Backup, keep the app visible on screen until it finishes uploading your entire library. After that, only changed documents are backed up. You can check Auto Backup status by tapping the small cloud icon in Library view.
After Auto Backup is set up on device A, if you enable it on a second device (device B), Goodnotes may queue the entire library on device B for upload. The system does not know which documents were already uploaded from another device. Auto Backup only uploads from your device to cloud storage — it does not download or overwrite your local library. You can clear the upload queue on device B after setup to avoid redundant uploads without affecting your backup.
How to choose the destination folder
By default, the destination folder is called “Goodnotes”. To use a different folder, type the folder name in Auto Backup settings. If the folder does not exist yet, Goodnotes creates it. For a subfolder, use a slash (“/”) between folder names — for example, Goodnotes/backup. Do not put “/” at the end of the path.
You can toggle the different options below:
Dropbox
For minimal access to your Dropbox account, the Auto Backup folder is under <Dropbox root>/Apps/Goodnotes 6. You cannot set a backup folder outside this structure.
Google Drive
Auto Backup saves to your base-level Google Drive folder. A custom destination folder is not available at this time.
WebDav
If the Auto Backup folder on the WebDAV server is shared with multiple people, make sure no one else uses that same folder for Auto Backup. For adding WebDAV in your organisation, see this article.
Auto Backup FAQ
What’s the difference between iCloud Sync and Auto Backup?
Auto Backup is a one-way backup that creates a copy of your documents in cloud storage. iCloud Sync is a two-way sync that keeps one version of your documents across devices.
- Sync across devices: Auto Backup — no. iCloud Sync — yes.
- Documents accessible in cloud storage (outside Goodnotes): Auto Backup — yes. iCloud Sync — no.
- Getting documents back from the cloud: Auto Backup — re-import manually. iCloud Sync — automatic in the app.
Why does Auto Backup run less often now?
To reduce battery use, data use, and background work on your device. Auto Backup still protects your notes on a regular schedule. You can back up manually or turn on Increase Auto Backup frequency anytime.
How do I back up right away?
Use Manual Backup: Goodnotes menu > Cloud & Backup > Manual Backup > Back Up Now. See Back up and restore your library manually.
Does the frequency change affect iCloud sync?
No. It only affects Auto Backup to cloud storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or WebDAV. iCloud sync is separate.
How should I back up my documents?
Enabling iCloud Sync is usually enough if you mainly need protection when a device is lost or damaged. Set up Auto Backup when you can’t or don’t want to use iCloud, or when you need to open documents in cloud storage or on a computer without Goodnotes.
Which format should I select for Auto Backup?
- Goodnotes Document — best when you want an editable backup you can import or share back into Goodnotes. This is the fastest option if you don’t need PDF previews.
- PDF — best when you need to view documents in the cloud or on devices without Goodnotes. PDF content is flattened and can’t be edited the same way in the app (for example, you can’t erase handwriting on the PDF).
- PDF and Goodnotes Document — creates both versions in the same folder.
How are my data and privacy protected when I grant the app access to my cloud storage account?
Goodnotes needs Read & Write access to save and update files in your cloud storage. We won’t view or modify your other documents and files.
I don’t want to include all files in the backup. Can I exclude some?
Yes. Set one or more Excluded File Names in the Auto Backup dialog. If a document title includes an excluded name, it won’t back up automatically. Tip: use one excluded name such as “-exclude”, then add “-exclude” to titles you want to skip.
Why is iCloud Drive not an option?
iCloud Drive doesn’t provide the integrations Auto Backup needs. Use iCloud sync instead to keep notes available across devices in Goodnotes.
How can I restart Auto Backup?
First confirm you have free space on the cloud storage so uploads don’t fail. Then:
- In the cloud storage app, rename the remote “Goodnotes” backup folder (for example, to “Goodnotes_old”). Dropbox users: look under /Apps/Goodnotes.
- Disable Auto Backup.
- Tap Done to close the menu.
- Re-enable Auto Backup.
- Check the Auto Backup queue and leave Goodnotes in the foreground until the queue is empty (“Backup successfully completed”).
- Confirm documents uploaded in the cloud storage app. If everything looks correct, you can delete the renamed folder to free space.
To watch progress more easily, open Goodnotes and the cloud storage app in Split View.
If Auto Backup still isn’t working, export diagnostic data from the Goodnotes menu > About > Export Diagnostic Data and contact support.