You may see this message when you log in to Goodnotes: “It looks like your Goodnotes account is already associated to a different sign in method.”
This usually means: your App Store account is already linked to a different Goodnotes account than the one you are trying to use now. One App Store account can only be linked to one Goodnotes subscription, free trial, or one-time payment.
Examples of how this can happen
- You choose "Sign in with Apple" and sign in successfully with your Apple account.
- After this, your App Store receipt (from the App Store account currently signed in on the device) is uploaded so Goodnotes can tell whether you are a subscriber or not (with or without a previous purchase of GoodNotes 5).
- You start the free trial, or buy the yearly plan or the one-time payment.
- You sign out of Goodnotes (or downgrade to GoodNotes 5, if you also own GoodNotes 5).
- You'll also be signed out of Goodnotes on the current device if you've downgraded to GoodNotes 5 on another device.
- Choosing the wrong sign-in provider. You unknowingly choose "Sign in with Google" (instead of "Sign in with Apple" as before) and sign in successfully with a Google account that happens to be the same email address as the Apple account you used in step 1. In this case, the app sees this Goodnotes account as different from the one tied to your App Store receipt and shows this error while switching you to the free plan of Goodnotes.
Doing any of the following will not resolve this issue:
- Reinstalling the app (without a backup, this introduces data-loss risks).
- Getting a refund for the purchase.
- Switching to another plan from device Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions > See All Plans.
Quick check: Update app and restore purchases
- Update Goodnotes to the latest version from the App Store.
- On the error screen, tap Restore Purchases at the bottom.
If the issue persists, you have a few options:
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Sign back into your very first Goodnotes account you've created. For example, if you chose "Sign in with Google" and signed in to the app to create that Goodnotes account, use that same Google account to sign in to Goodnotes (assuming you're still using the same App Store account on your device).
If the app can detect your first Goodnotes account, it will invite you to use the associated login provider by way of the "Sign in with <provider>" button. This button sits just below a masked email address as a hint. Just tap the button and use an email address that matches the shown email address:
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Tap "Email Me" at the bottom of the login page or the page where you see this error, and your login details will be sent to the email address tied to the Goodnotes account. Check your mailbox and use those login details to log in to Goodnotes.
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Look for the oldest Welcome email that you should have received via the email address with which you created a new Goodnotes account. The email shows which login provider and account you used to sign up.
If the issue persists, please send us the following details for our investigation:
Send us the Diagnostic Data:
- If you're already logged in, open Goodnotes menu (top-right corner of the library view) > View Account > Account Settings > Export Diagnostic Data. If still on the login page, look for the "?" icon in the top-right corner > Download diagnostics file to device.
- The Order ID of any in-app purchase made from within the app, e.g. MXD12WMX34. The purchase could be for unlocking the full app (GoodNotes 5 or Goodnotes), or any digital item (free or paid) like elements, paper templates, covers. If you can't find any such receipts in your email inbox, check your Purchase History.
- A screenshot of Goodnotes menu (top-right corner of the library view) > View Account > Account Settings
- A screenshot of your currently logged-in App Store account in the App Store app.
If you only use "Sign in with Apple"
You might have created your very first Goodnotes account with a "Hide My Email" address, e.g. xxx@privaterelay.appleid.com, but then signed back in to the app with your actual email address. Since the actual email address created another Goodnotes account that's different from the first Goodnotes account, this error pops up.
To fix this, delete the Goodnotes account tied to the “Hide My Email” address, then log back in with your real email address. See How do I replace my Hide My Email address shown on Account Info?
If you've lost access to the Apple/Google/Microsoft account tied to the subscribing Goodnotes account
If all of the following are true:
- You created your Goodnotes account with an Apple, Google, or Microsoft account.
- You purchased a premium plan through the App Store.
- You no longer have access to that Apple/Google/Microsoft account (for example, it was deactivated).
You will not be able to log in to that Goodnotes account to restore premium access.
Please contact us with these details:
- The login provider (Apple/Google/Microsoft) and email address of the inaccessible Goodnotes account.
- The App Store receipt of your premium purchase. It must show the Order ID and Purchase Date.
- The Diagnostic Data. On the login page, look for the "?" icon in the top-right corner > Download Diagnostic Data.
We'll first locate the inaccessible Goodnotes account and, with your explicit consent (*), delete it so you can create a new Goodnotes account, with your Apple App Store premium purchase automatically migrated over.
(*) Note how deleting that account might affect your data:
- If you use Goodnotes on Android, Windows or Web, your Goodnotes library on those platforms will also be deleted.
- If you have any locked documents in your local library, you won't be able to unlock them.
- If you have Marketplace purchases, you might not be able to restore them.